Past

I love this old photograph of my father and his sister.

What lies in the past?

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NKJV — Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Often, it holds regret, shame, and always sin.

“It’s only a white lie…”

“Well, it was just a one time thing…”

“I’m only hurting myself…”

Sin hides beneath falsehood.

Marring each person’s heart.

And sin never hurts only one person.

Instead sin causes a rippling of consequences which can cause harm for generations.

Jesus bore every painful bitter sin upon the cross.

Your sin.

My sin.

1 Peter 2:24 NKJV — who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

But He did it, that we might live for righteousness.

Because the list of those who won’t inherit the kingdom of heaven is only part of the truth.

1 Corinthians 6:11 NKJV And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Jesus is the only One Who can cleanse our past and heal our hurt.

Because sin always brings pain.

But Jesus brings salvation.

Whatever your past might hold, relinquish it into the hands of the Lord Jesus and let His truth set you free.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for going through the pain and suffering of the cross to provide freedom from sin and eternal separation from You. Lord, there are so many ways we try to forget or hide from the past, when You paid for it already. Lord, please heal those who are hurting. Let forgiveness and trust replace shame and fear. Lord, let our hearts be humble before You that we might freely lift up those things which cause us anxiety, pain, grief, and suffering. Lord, thank You for loving each one of us. Thank You for being our salvation. Thank You for paying the price. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Giving up the past

Plans for the future have been in motion.

It seems at the back of my thoughts pretty continually.

Our new grandson’s due date, our daughter’s marriage, all the details of homeschooling, all these things have been thought about, prayed for, and discussed multiple times.

As I was putting dishes away this morning I was complaining to God.

I hadn’t realized I was.

But that’s the truth.

I’ve found a thought running through my mind multiple times and it’s connected with a circumstance.

Something I’d wanted to keep had been given away without thought to ask my opinion.

When I discovered the truth, my feelings were hurt.

The choice was logical to the one.

The problem was me.

I had an emotional attachment due to a special memory.

Therefore, when I was putting away the dishes and telling God, “I really wish I had…it would be so useful for…”.

The Lord spoke.

Stop grieving over something I took away.

Och!

“Oh Lord! I’m so sorry!”

I took a breath.

“The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

“Jesus, thank You for showing me my error. I hadn’t realized I was holding on to that. I trust You, that what I have and where I am is exactly where I’m supposed to be and You will provide anything lacking.”

Now that my heart has been revealed, I can see how I have been clinging to this in such an unhealthy way.

What’s really crazy about it is, it’s something of no importance at all.

Yet, I can look at myself and see how I choose to hold on to the past through this.

Somewhere, I was trying to keep a moment of joy and bring it into today by a thing.

How ridiculous!

Jesus is the only One who can do that.

He brings joy into each day and no thing nor any other person can ever meet up with His ability.

It’s good to remember those things which were God’s blessing and to praise Him for it.

But it should never take the place of what He is doing today.

Jesus is blessing each of us, today.

Therefore, I will be more guarded about my thoughts and attitudes when it comes to the past.

I don’t want to clutter up today with needless things and miss the joy in Jesus.

For I know what He has for me in today is what is best.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV — Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.