I remember in my early teens (a long, long time ago) watching a movie titled “The Gumball Rally.”  In the movie, teams raced across the country over the course of several days.  The winner was the first team to arrive at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California.

Once scene that stuck with me involved the Italian driver as he climbed into his Ferrari to begin the race.  He tore the rearview mirror from its place and exclaimed, “First rule of Italian racing: what’s behind you doesn’t matter.”

That’s a pretty good rule for everyday living: keeping the past in proper perspective.  I wouldn’t say the past doesn’t matter. Both good and bad past experiences have shaped us and brought us to the place we now find ourselves.  However, all too often we give it too much power in our present and future.

[Tweet “We let the good experiences of the past keep us from expecting new and greater things from God.”]

You can learn from your past, but too many people live in their past.  You should be thankful for your past but we not indebted to your past.  We let the bad experiences of the past become excuses for bad choices in the present.  We let the good experiences of the past keep us from expecting new and greater things from God.

It is not a bad thing to remember the past fondly and to celebrate God’s goodness in days gone by.  The book of Psalms often recounts the past deeds of God as a reason to give Him praise and offer worship. 

How Living In Your Past Can Hinder You

The danger comes when we give focus to the past and long for those days to return. Consider these two ways living in the past can hinder what God wants to do in our present and future.

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I am a product of the first generation of video game kids. The video games we played in my youth were very primitive compared to the sophisticated high-tech games kids play today. Our game choices, nonetheless, challenged us and entertained us for hours.

For a flashback example, click here to watch a YouTube video of the classic Atari game Pong.

Arguably, one of the best features of the video game was the reset button. If the game was not going as you hoped, you could hit the reset button and start over.

[Tweet “I believe that much success in life comes from how we choose to view it.”]

Even though real life doesn’t come with a reset button, New Year’s Day gives the illusion of a fresh start. It is a time to assess the past year and pray about growing in the year to come. New Year’s gives us an opportunity to improve on the previous year.

I believe that much success in life comes from how we choose to view it. With that in mind, I am choosing to look at things a little differently in the coming year.

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Rene Descartes is famous for penning the famous existentialist mantra “I think; therefore, I am.” Little did he know, he was not far off from Biblical truth.

In fact just add the one small word “as” to the beginning and it is very Biblical. Proverbs 23:7 teaches us that our thoughts determine who we become and define who we are. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

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Nobody likes to be told “no.” 

One of the most difficult things parents do is to say “no” to a child’s request.  All of us want our children to be happy and we want to see them smile.  We recognize, however, that sometimes they need to hear the word “no.”

We can’t always expect a child to understand the reasons a particular request is not in their best interest.  As caring adults, we bear the responsibility of doing what is best for our children even when they don’t understand.

Sometimes, God says no to our requests as well.  As a loving Heavenly Father, He knows what is best and withhold from us anything less than that best.  I have discovered that while God’s “no” is often not pleasant, nevertheless it always leads to His best for me.

[Tweet “I have discovered that God’s “no” always leads to His best for me.”]

Reasons God Says No

God does not arbitrarily or capriciously say no; as with all of His other actions, He has a purpose.  Let’s consider some of the reasons God says no to some of our requests.

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Sometimes, we are guilty of asking God to do things He has commanded us to do.

That truth hit home in my mind a few weeks ago as we sang a song in church titled “Shine, Jesus, Shine.”

“Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory,

Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire…”

As I sang those words, the Lord reminded me that WE are the light of the world.  If Jesus is to shine, we are the bulbs He wants to use. 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16

[Tweet “I know of few things worse than a sour Christian.”]

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October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I want to go on record saying this pastor appreciates and loves his congregation.

Ephesians 4:11 teaches us that pastors are part of a group of leaders that God gives the church.  The pastor is a gift to the church, however, I can say the church is a gift to the pastor.

I am blessed to have served as the pastor of 6 churches in almost now 30 years as a pastor.  Each church blessed me in its own particular way.  I have learned from each church, loved each church, and think of each one fondly.

What Makes Pastoral Ministry Special

Titus 1:5 gives us a glimpse into the elements that make pastoral ministry so special. 

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—

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I noticed the tags as I drove around town this morning; tags from several Georgia coastal counties.  Hurricane Matthew has brought evacuees to our area in search of temporary shelter.

The tags reminded me of the opportunity we have as believers to bless those in this time their need.  Through the course of natural events, God has brought people into our path who need a blessing.  We must decide to BE the blessing. We have the opportunity to bless hurricane evacuees.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. – Hebrews 13:2

The phrase “show hospitality to strangers” is actually one word in Greek.  The word means to treat someone you do not know as a brother.  It comes with the reminder that some have entertained “angels” without realizing it.

[Tweet “God has brought people into our path who need a blessing.”]

The word for angels literally translates “messengers.”   These visitors could be/are actual angels from heaven or people sent to us by God.  We should be eager to show hospitality to new people in our paths because they may be God-sent.

How Can I Bless Hurricane Evacuees

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