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HEAR AND SEE

Move Forward – Not Backward

April 29, 2023
Reading Time: 7 Minutes

God knows we struggle with emotions, disappointments, weaknesses and temptations. But if we keep developing our relationship with Him we will move forward and not backward. We may not be perfect on this earth, but we’re progressing in Him, and that pleases God so much.

God’s Simple Directions Through Jeremiah

But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward. Jeremiah 7:24 NLT

The Lord said: 

  1. God’s people didn’t listen and pay attention to Him.
  2. They followed their own evil hearts instead of following God.
  3. They went backward and not forward.

So, as born-again believers, what does Jesus want from us? It’s pretty simple— maybe not always easy, but simple.

  1. Keep learning to listen and pay attention to the Holy Spirit… 
  2. Keep following Jesus through the Spirit and His Word instead of following our own hearts… 
  3. If we do that, we will move forward in Christ. 

Keep Growing

Jeremiah 7:24 is a simple truth that should bring us great peace! Another way to look at “moving forward” is “steady growth.” If a tree is planted near a stream it will grow and eventually produce fruit. We must be planted by the Word, stay close to the Holy Spirit who is our Living Water, and drink daily of Jesus in our journey of growth. We may not feel strong yet. Storms may rip off some leaves or branches from time to time. But that doesn’t mean we’re not a tree anymore. If our roots remain in Jesus Christ and our leaves soak up the light of God’s Word, we will continue to grow. We will move forward.

Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. They are like trees that grow beside a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do. But evil people are not like this at all; they are like straw that the wind blows away. Sinners will be condemned by God and kept apart from God’s own people. The righteous are guided and protected by the Lord, but the evil are on the way to their doom. Psalm 1 GNT

Storms

Spiritual storms will come as trials in your life. And because of your emotions, you may wonder if you are moving forward or backward. But if you make it your priority to be rooted and grounded in Jesus, you will not be destroyed! His presence will even calm your emotions and give you unexplainable peace. Some storms will even make your roots grow deeper in Christ if you depend completely on God to make it through. Storms do not last forever. The sun will eventually come out. And as God’s Spirit gives you new revelation in His Word, His light will grow inside you and give you life!

Seasons

In some seasons you will mature by leaps and bounds like trees flowering in the joyful spring. But in other seasons the growth will be slow yet beautiful like bare branches in winter supporting a clean blanket of snow. The presence and grace of Jesus is your covering no matter what season you are in. The journey of your relationship with Jesus will only make you want to move forward with Him. His love will be your motivation to stay close. You will bear His good fruit of love in greater measure over time. If God’s love for others is increasing in your heart, it’s a good sign that you are moving in the right direction.

Baby Steps

God rejoices when we take baby steps toward Him! So don’t despise the small beginnings. Your faith in Jesus and His Word is perfect seed. It will grow if you don’t lose heart. God sees you and loves you so much! The Lord is full of joy every time you take another step with Him! He is delighted that you are following Jesus and so proud of you!

For who dares make light of small beginnings? These seven eyes will joyfully look on the tin tablet in Zerubbabel’s hand. These are the eyes of the Lord, which constantly range across the whole earth. Zechariah 4:10 NET

Stay Connected To The God Who Loves You

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. John 15:4-9. NLT

God Is Looking Forward

God’s plans for you have already been decided by God and His Spirit inside you will give you the power to carry them out. Holy Spirit is looking forward to fulfilling His purpose through your life each and every day.

You don’t have to have everything all put together in its place before God can bless you and bless others through you. It the power of His Spirit who does the blessing because He is full of mercy and grace. It is first and foremost His love working through you– not your own attempts to do something great for God. You just have to learn to listen and follow His lead. Don’t worry. Just allow Jesus to fill you with His love. He will flow through you to others every day as you follow Him.

Your Past Is Gone – Move Forward!

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Philippians 3:12-16 NIV

If you look backward and try to walk forward at the same time, you will eventually stumble. It will be a long painful journey and you will most likely take the wrong road. Holding on to guilt, shame and regret keeps us from moving forward victoriously in Christ.

I’m not saying that you aren’t a Christian if you struggle with these kinds of strongholds. But I do want to give you hope. Jesus wants to help you let go of them so He can set you free. Deliverance from any stronghold is part of our journey in Christ. His path for us is always forward and there is no condemnation as we follow Jesus and grow! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and believe for your breakthrough. It will come sooner or later if you stay on His path for your life!

The Path Of God’s Grace

As a follower of Jesus, you are a new person in Christ and now you can walk a new way! So look forward to the journey Jesus has for you. It is an adventure of God’s grace for yourself and for those God places in your path. Keep learning to hear the voice of God’s Spirit, lock your eyes on Jesus and you will be moving in the right direction– forward!