Moving Forward
2007
The end of a year is coming and we will be introduced to a new year very soon. At the end of one year and the beginning of a new year is a time of remembering.
• Magazines will be producing onetime publications of the past year.
• TV will have programs with a brief synapses of what had happened in this past year.
• The news media will be reviewing the major and minor events of the past year.
• The newspaper will produce articles and pictures about the past.
• Even you and your family and friends will be discussing what has happened over the course of one year.
Looking Back
Remember
• It is very important to remember what has happened to us in the past
• In the bible they use to put stones and name the location as a reminder of what God had done.
• Our society today builds memorials to people who have done great things in the past.
• Now, instead of stones we use statues. In Washington DC there are many memorials. Some to people, others to special events that accrued in times past.
Here
We have many Memorials here as well. They may not be in statue form but you can see them.
My Family
In my family alone many great things have happened.
• I have had a Great Aunt and Grandmother pass a way this year.
• My Dad got remarried.
• My business is consistently out of the red for the first time in 5 years.
• I am now the Sunday School Secretary for South Carolina.
• And Travis! I now have a child that was not here last year. He is 8 ½ months old.
New Building
In 2006 we have broken in a new building. Within this last year we have be come accustomed to our new building. It is now our major place of worship in our minds. We have progressed mentally out of the old buildings into this one. This building is a memorial of God’s goodness to our church.
New People.
We have had a number of new people enter our doors. From the Easter program, to the Christmas program, to Kidz JAM, etc. God has opened a lot of doors for us to witness.
Healings
We have seen some great healings. From broken arms, to black fingers, to great actions of faith.
As we look Back, all of this is evidence that God has been with us through this Past year.
Definitions
Past:
gone by or elapsed in time
Back:
belonging to the past
back away, to retreat; withdraw
(Luk 9:62)
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Jer 7:24)
But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.
Forward
• Back is a past word, and Forward is a progressive word.
Positive terms are:
• “I can hardly wait for what’s about to happen”
• “I am looking forward to our trip”
(Gen 26:13)
And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great:
(Exo 14:15)
And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
(1Sa 18:9)
And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.
(Eze 1:9)
Their wings were joined one to another; they turned not when they went; they went every one straight forward.
(Luk 9:62)
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
There is a corporate term
“Going Froward”
In many Business meetings the good intention of discussing the past was in hopes of bettering the future actually became a bashing session. So in an attempt to stop the complaints the term “Going Forward” came about.
Plowing is a great analogy for our lifestyle. I always picture a horse and a plow. The horse and plow making there way down a field, plowing a perfect row. The dirt turning over properly, rows always straight the way they are suppose to be.
But, life is not always that perfect. Sometimes the rocks get in the way. When they do we can’t stop and say, “Oh well, this is where it ends.” No, when the rocks get in the way we move them and keep on “Going Forward.”
• We sometimes think discussing our testimony is a remembering scenario.
• Like a memorial statue that sits stationery until someone comes and looks at the plaque.
• Much like the row that is formed behind us. In reality, it is not the row behind us; it is the plow in front of us.
• Our testimony is what motivates us. It is what “moves us forward.”
• Our testimony will help cut through all our trouble. “We are made over comers by the word of our testimony.”
• It is what will make provision for us in later days.
• The only way to “Move Forward” is by using our testimony.
Last year was a great year, but we must incorporate the term “Moving Forward!”
We must incorporate “Going Forward” in our Mindset, Emotions, Spirit, Ministry, and Lifestyle.
Mind
We must “Move Forward” in our way if thinking. We have been thinking too small for too long. We must think bigger for our Church, Home, Family, and Life in general. We must expect bigger things to happen in our businesses. We must anticipate open doors in our witnessing. We must want more for our family. We must want God to do bigger and better things in our life.
He will do, “Exceedingly above all we could ask or think.” So think BIG!!!!
Emotions
We must “Move Forward” with our emotions. Our feelings can’t be on our shoulder. We must let God rule our feelings. Can’t let others rule over us by controlling our emotions.
Spirit
We have been praying. We have been Fasting. “Going Forward” We must continue, and grow in the spirit. Our prayer life must improve. Our Fasting must improve. Our Worship must improve. Our Praise must improve.
Ministry
We must “Move Forward” with our ministry. This is why Pastor and I have required all departments to turn in goals. You should be reading your goals every week. This will be evidence that your ministry is “Going Forward.”
You should be setting personal ministry goals. Our personal Ministry should be “Moving Forward.”
“Going Forward” needs to become an important Philosophy in our lives. In 2007 we must now dwell in the past but we need to be “Moving Forward.”
