Follow Jesus and Keep Looking Forward

Pray – (1/2 minutes)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’ ” (Luke 9:61-62)
   Passage: Philippians 3:12-15

         If you are old enough, you may remember a toy bird that was popularized by President Harry Truman. It was called the “Floogie bird” and it looked backward as it was pushed forward. Around its neck was a card that read, “I fly backwards. I don’t care where I’m going. I just want to see where I’ve been.” The man who said he would follow Jesus after saying good-by to his family was just wanting to see where he had been and stay in the past. Jesus challenged him to look forward and keep his eyes on the purposes God had for him.  
       Many churches are stuck in the rut of looking in the past. Many people are too. When you look back, there are two things you can do with the past. You can repent of some things, or you can rejoice in some things. One thing you cannot do though, and be a growing disciple, is to rehearse the past over and over. Many people and many church miss out on God’s plan for their present and future because they keep looking back at the “good old days.” God is always at work, so a church and a believer should always be seeking to find out what God wants them to do now. Be determined not to dwell on the past. Keep looking forward as you follow Jesus. The best is yet to be!    

‍Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)