It's Time to Spring Forward
This past weekend, we sprung forward with time. Spring will officially be here later this month, too. Already, I’m getting that spring cleaning fever to start whisking away the winter dust. What is it about sunshine, warm air and even gentle rains, that just excite us to move; to throw open the windows, plant flowers and a garden; to trade in our heavy coats and boots for a light and carefree attitude?
As we approach the one year anniversary of the pandemic, we should feel the same way. Although it isn’t over and we still have a ways to go, it’s time for us to push our way through the pandemic blues and spring forward to what God really has in store for us. It’s time to turn a page in the COVID-19 book and reach beyond where we are to where we can be. Yes, it’s been hard and we haven’t recovered completely yet, but our lives are precious and they have purpose.
This is not the time to get comfortable where we are or to look back to former days and long for them as though they were perfect. The past is in the past and our future awaits us, in spite of our trials. We can’t afford to listen to the lies of the enemy who would have us believe that all is lost and there is no hope. Yes, we are tired of restrictions and we long to see our loved ones and friends, but we need to get out of our heads and see ourselves through the lens of hope.
The Israelites felt lost and even rebelled because they were tired of their circumstances and the never ending wandering. They saw no hope for the future, and they certainly couldn’t see what the Lord could see. Unfortunately, they couldn’t see beyond their circumstances. They couldn’t see the plans He had for them to give them a future beyond anything they had in their past. The Lord intervened with words of hope and promises for the future, and He gave it to us too. Listen and take in His words:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
“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...to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.” Isaiah 43: 1-3, 18-19
Throw open the windows of your heart and let the Lord set you free! Trust that His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you. Leave the past behind and walk with courage and faith into the future He has for you. Spring forward into His loving arms and take that leap of faith.
Prayer
Lord,
I throw open the door and windows of my heart. I release the things I have been holding on to and grasp Your freedom instead. I will not fear for You are with me, I will not be afraid for I am comforted by You. I am confident in my faith that You, who started a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it. I have hope and a future in You. As my Shepherd, You will lead me and I will faithfully follow. Like the Apostle Paul, forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead of me, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Photo by Wojciech Then on Unsplash
Google Doc
As we approach the one year anniversary of the pandemic, we should feel the same way. Although it isn’t over and we still have a ways to go, it’s time for us to push our way through the pandemic blues and spring forward to what God really has in store for us. It’s time to turn a page in the COVID-19 book and reach beyond where we are to where we can be. Yes, it’s been hard and we haven’t recovered completely yet, but our lives are precious and they have purpose.
This is not the time to get comfortable where we are or to look back to former days and long for them as though they were perfect. The past is in the past and our future awaits us, in spite of our trials. We can’t afford to listen to the lies of the enemy who would have us believe that all is lost and there is no hope. Yes, we are tired of restrictions and we long to see our loved ones and friends, but we need to get out of our heads and see ourselves through the lens of hope.
The Israelites felt lost and even rebelled because they were tired of their circumstances and the never ending wandering. They saw no hope for the future, and they certainly couldn’t see what the Lord could see. Unfortunately, they couldn’t see beyond their circumstances. They couldn’t see the plans He had for them to give them a future beyond anything they had in their past. The Lord intervened with words of hope and promises for the future, and He gave it to us too. Listen and take in His words:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
“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...to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.” Isaiah 43: 1-3, 18-19
Throw open the windows of your heart and let the Lord set you free! Trust that His plans are to prosper you and not to harm you. Leave the past behind and walk with courage and faith into the future He has for you. Spring forward into His loving arms and take that leap of faith.
Prayer
Lord,
I throw open the door and windows of my heart. I release the things I have been holding on to and grasp Your freedom instead. I will not fear for You are with me, I will not be afraid for I am comforted by You. I am confident in my faith that You, who started a good work in me, will be faithful to complete it. I have hope and a future in You. As my Shepherd, You will lead me and I will faithfully follow. Like the Apostle Paul, forgetting what is behind me and straining toward what is ahead of me, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Amen!
Photo by Wojciech Then on Unsplash
Google Doc
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A New Year's PrayerJust Say YesReady for A BreakthroughI Shall Not WantAddictive LoveAgainAtmospheric PowerStay With MeFrom Mercy To LoveI Will Fear No EvilCome to JesusMy IntercessorLord of the LeftoversBring On The PraiseLet Me Be Like An AntBreathe On UsA Leap of FaithJust A SipThe God Who Sees MeThe Light At the End of the TunnelEmbrace Your Spiritual BlessingsFor Our BrokennessHallelujah!On Your FaceDon't Lose Your DreamsLiving This MomentOur Ever Present Help
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Dove of PeaceThe Roundabout WayA Ten Dollar BlessingLiving in God's ZoneMountain, MoveThis Time, I'll Be StillQuiet Our Souls While You WorkFinding Favor, Finding HopeYour MoveBreaking Out For JesusWhat Our Hearts DesireThe Love of Yahweh!This Is How You LoveBreathe Your Breath of RevivalDo You Believe ItKeep It Moving!There's Beauty in My BrokennessThe Fire and The AltarGoing Fishing
March
The HarvestHis DelightFaith the DisrupterF.R.O.G.A Fresh Wind of The LordSeeing the InvisibleTake Your VitaminsReturn to the LordWaiting Here for YouSquishy ShoesIt's Time to Spring ForwardThe Greater NameLiving in God's ZoneHeart FixerThe Power of the SpiritMan of His WordPraise PartyBring On The RainGet Off This MountainLet Us Know
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