Hosanna Restoration Church

Some things are very difficult to move into the past category, but we must take every opportunity to move up. We do not necessarily need to forget in order to disconnect. We can retain memories without carrying the weight of them.
Paul certainly never forgot what he did. Peter never forgot what he did. What they did was refuse to let it drag them back. They used it as fuel to move them ahead. When they were tired or discouraged, they remembered what God had done for them and pressed on.
If we do not realize all that God has done for us or all that He has prepared for us, we are in danger of sliding back. I know that I could easily do everything that I did before I was saved if I wanted to. I just do not want to. The thought of life without Christ is just more than I can bear. The temptation of those things is long gone but the emptiness of life without Christ is always a reminder.
Anything that holds us back from a closer relationship with Christ needs to go. The religious leaders were kept from believing by their religion. Many today are kept from going deeper into Christ by what they have believed before or the way they have always been. Again, I say that anything that keeps us from moving ahead needs to be put in the past.
Recently someone told me they got angry at God and asked if it was okay. I told them that I have heard many say that it is okay and that God can handle it, but I wondered why anyone would want to be angry with God. I am certain that God can handle it, but what if we can’t. What if we think our anger at God will somehow keep God from forgiving us. Well it is another thing that will be great when it is in the past.
What is it that is holding us back? Is it fear of the future or blasts from the past? Are there hurts that keep on hurting and we can’t or refuse to let them go. There is a difference between a twinge and a debilitating memory. If we will give these things to God, they can be behind us. They can become fuel that propels us and at the same time help others.
When we receive the comfort that God offers, we then have something to comfort others with. There is no need for us to be held back. Let this be a day when you let as much of that go as you are willing.
I remember when I would run up hill against the wind I looked forward to turning around at the top and running downhill with the wind. Sometimes it seemed like the wind switched, but at least I was going downhill. There will still be winds against us even after leaving things in the past, but it will be easier with each thing we unhitch. Press toward Christ and things will fall off.