LEARN FROM THE PAST AND PRESS ON

We seem to grow more spiritually when life is unpleasant than when we are comfortable. It requires a level of maturity not to get sidetracked by life's hard knocks and injustice.

We cannot live in the past and claim the future. We cannot move to second base and at the same time hug first base. Instead, we must learn from the past. We must come to terms with our past and press on.

Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There is a song that says I'm not what I want to be, I'm not what I'm gonna be, but praise God I'm not what I was. Thank you, Jesus.

A TIME IN LIFE

One of the tough spots on the road of life is between our teen years and adulthood. It is a time of transition filled with struggles between dependance and independence. We want to be treated like a child and an adult.

There should come a time in our lives when we can say in our hearts, Blessed Assurance, Jesus is Mine! as our parents and grandparents may have done.

There should be a time when we can go to Jesus, our own personal High Priest, and find mercy and grace to help in time of need.

There should be a growing awareness that God is still present, that God is still working, and that God is still committed to us.

The whole world can be against us, but if we know that God is with us, for us, and is on our side, we can go forward.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down but not destroyed.

GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE

What are we struggling with? Do we realize the benefit of prayer in our lives? It makes sense to pray because God knows all things and He controls all things.

God knows the beginning from the end and His eternal purpose. His plan for the ages will be accomplished. Nothing can change that.

God can use all men, saved and lost, godly and ungodly, to serve His eternal purpose by their own will and choices. Even when the world around us seems out of control, we can know that God is in control.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

• John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence wrote:

Resistance to tyranny becomes the Christian and social duty of each individual . . . Continue steadfast and with a proper sense of your dependence on God. Nobly defend those rights which heaven gave and no man ought to take from us. 

Standing tall and unwavering, these fifty-six signers pledged: For the support of this Declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.

• Five were captured by the British as traitors and were tortured before they died.
• Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
• Two lost their sons in the revolutionary army
• Another had two sons captured
• Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardship resulting from the Revolutionary War

These men believed in a cause far beyond themselves. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. They had security, but they valued liberty more.

Thanks to those who died and suffered loss defending America's liberty.

HOW WE PRAY

It has been said that God is not a cosmic bell-boy for whom we can press a button to get what we want. However, if we ask the God of Heaven, humbly and intelligently seeking His will with our whole heart, miracles can happen.

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Pray the prayer. Claim the promise. We do not deserve the grace of God and His blessings. We are fooling ourselves to believe that God will bless us when we are disobedient.

Persistent, prevailing prayer empowers us to achieve our God-given purpose. How we view ourselves as we approach God is important. God rejects the proud. We should come before the throne of grace with humility.

GOD IS WITH YOU

There is a wonderful joy in salvation that comes from our inner most being when God dwells in our hearts.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

God does not come through a program, study or method, but through an intimate love relationship. He reveals Himself, His purpose, and His ways and invites you to join Him.

Whatever God calls you to do, He is there to uphold you and strengthen you every step of the way.

God is with you, but are you with God? Have you asked Jesus into your heart? This act of faith qualifies His presence. Are you living your life with the awareness of His presence?

NO MORE TEARS, DEATH OR PAIN

Revelation 21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

• In heaven there will be no tears of misfortune, poverty, loneliness, lost love, sympathy, mercy, pity, remorse, regret, penitence, neglect or longing for what cannot be
• Because there will be no sin in heaven, there will be no death, no funeral homes or cemeteries.
• In heaven, there will be no mourning, no broken hearts. 
• In heaven we have nothing to cry about.
• In heaven our glorified body will never sin, decay, get sick or tired. The resurrected body is immune to pain.

Only the born again redeemed will go to heaven. I wish everybody were born again.

Oh I want to see him, look upon His face.

There to sing forever of His saving grace;

On the streets of glory let me lift my voice;

Cares all past, home at last, ever to rejoice.

R. H. Cornelius

FLESH AND SPIRIT BIRTHS

In every life there are powerful moments that can transform our minds, emotions, and wills, but they do not meet our greatest need. The greatest, most powerful moment in a life comes when a person believes in God.

John 3:3,6 . . . Varily, varily I say unto thee. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Born in the flesh, we receive a genetic code, a measure of talents and abilities, and the Adam factor -- an earthly, fleshly, sinful nature.

But spiritual birth is a powerful life-changing moment, bringing with it a new standing in Christ -- a spiritual nature and forgiveness of sin with peace and assurance that we are a child of God, forever secure in His hands!

If you have not been born again, ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Lord and Savior. Being born again is not just saying the words, but believing what you say from the bottom of your heart -- surrenduring your life to Jesus.