Remember Lots Wife

Moving Forward

God’s Plan for our life is for us to move forward, not stay stuck in the past or present.

Jeremiah 29:10–11 CSB

10 For this is what the Lord says: “When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and will confirm my promise concerning you to restore you to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope

Lot’s wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. She longed and lingered in a way that was disobedient to God.

We have to look forward to go forward

Proverbs 4:25 CSB

25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.

Hebrews 12:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, 2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

What are we focusing on?

past

pain

shame

our difficulty

mistakes

Twists and turns are going to happen, changes

Relationships change

Money situations change

Life’s problems come

Disappointments

Trauma

All situations the enemy will use to get us stuck

Don’t look back look ahead

We all know somebody stuck in the past going nowhere

Most of us have been stuck at some point

We get stuck in routines and patterns, good and bad, that keep us from moving forward.

Churches get stuck doing the same old thing and not moving forward

God can’t direct our steps if we are not moving forward taking steps

Remember Lot’s Wife Luke 17:32 “32 Remember Lot’s wife!”

The only women Jesus said to remember. I wonder why...

She looked back longingly

Israel look back at the Red Sea,

God said don’t look back. Look ahead...and cross over.

When we look back, and long to go back and that is the wrong direction

2. We can’t go back, good or bad...

Covid taught us that. “New Normal” the way things were back then.

There is no future in the past. Life in the rear view, is dangerous.

Paul said to forget the things that are behind and press to the things that are ahead in God’s plan.

3. Seasons change, so we must change too

Adapt, change, grow to move ahead

Faith grows

Love grows

Plans change

Seasons change

Growth always dictates change

Isaiah 42:9 “9 The past events have indeed happened. Now I declare new events; I announce them to you before they occur.”

Don’t look back

Don’t go back

The new things God has for us are better than the old we embrace.