ONWARD, NOT BACKWARD!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)


Lord, thank You for Your Holy Presence. I am Yours, and You are mine. I strongly sense that You are doing a brand-new thing inside of me, and for this, I am very grateful. I am excited, encouraged, and enthusiastic about the “new thing” You are doing. Father God, Your timing is always perfect. Often, we desire “our timing,” “our schedule,” and “our way.” However, Your ways are always much better.


Yes, child. My ways are not your ways. “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV) My ways are perfect. You will fully realize that when you are in Heaven with me. Then, we can commune perfectly.


HEARING CHRIST
This morning, a slight detour occurred, where I believe I received an answer to a question I have had for some time. Perhaps you have also wondered the same thing: “Why doesn’t God speak out loud to us? After all, He is God. He can do this if He wants.” Here is a transcript of this morning’s dialogue I had with Christ on this topic:


Lord, why won’t You let me hear Your audible voice now?


Child, I want My people, who are called by My name, to seek Me with all their heart. “... if my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV) Seek Me with all your heart. Listen carefully, and you will commune with Me.


Lord Jesus, that is the best explanation I have ever heard for why You don’t simply speak out loud to us. It makes a more compelling case than ever for us to have a daily, extended time of prayer, Bible reading, meditating on Your Word, and listening to You.


You are Spirit, My child. As Spirit, you are to worship Me in all things. This daily time with Me is a way of worshiping and honoring Me. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23 NIV)


DWELLING ON THE PAST
We can learn from the past, but we should not dwell on it. God is doing a new thing every day in each of our lives, and we can praise Him for that. Every day is new and fresh with Christ. Every time we open our eyes, we have a brand-new day to walk in the newness of Christ.


As Christ-followers, we firmly believe in the transformative power of God's Word and the ever-renewing grace that flows from His presence. While we honor the lessons and wisdom gleaned from history, our faith calls us to embrace the present moment with hope and anticipation. In the Scriptures, we are reminded that God is constantly at work, ushering in new seasons of growth, redemption, and revelation. Therefore, let us not be bound by the chains of the past, but rather, let us fix our gaze upon the boundless possibilities of the future that God has in store for us.


FOCUS ON TODAY AND TOMORROW
Each day is an invitation to walk intimately with our Savior, to experience His love afresh, and to partake in the divine adventure of becoming more like Christ. So, let us rejoice and give thanks for the unparalleled gift of each new day, wherein we can witness God's unfailing faithfulness and actively participate in His glorious unfolding plan for our lives. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV)


CONCLUSION
Let us not dwell on the past. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV) Let us learn from history, but realize that our past does not determine our future. Let's enjoy the gift of this new, fresh moment with Christ, let the past be the past, and fully embrace what Christ has for us today.


Your aspiring servant, Daniel M.
February 21, 2024
POSTSCRIPT: Dear friends, if this daily, transparent “Conversations with Christ” blesses you, please go to www.SOLIDpastors.org, where you will find these posted, and a repository of all, in English and Spanish. If you ever want to chat, you can reach me at [email protected]. May Christ bless you richly as you have your own intimate, daily conversations with Christ.