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8-26-2020

Past, Present, and Future

As Pharaoh and Moses were in discussion about the Israelites leaving Egypt so that they, Moses and the Israelites “may serve their God” our Creator, Redeemer, and the maker of heaven and earth, the sea and all that is within it, Pharaoh said to Moses, “Go, serve the Lord your God; but who are they that shall go?" The conversation goes like this: And Moses said, "We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds, will we go." In other words, they were taking all that belonged to them. No question about it. Then, Pharaoh said unto them, “Let the Lord be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones. Look to it; for evil is before you" (Exodus 10:9-11). Hence, Pharaoh realizing what he had said to Moses changed his attitude by saying to Moses. “Not so”: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire, and they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.

According to (Joshua 24:15) and I quote, “ And if it is EVIL in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

The Lord has put within my heart to share with you this morning from the subject: “Past, Present, and Future. Why? Because if we do not know our past, we will be doomed to the same mistakes over and over again, and not only will we not be prepared to face the trails, heartaches, pains, storms, tribulations, and afflictions that are here now, and the ones that lies ahead of us.

Yes, our adversary the devil is prowling around seeking whomever he may devourer. He will come as a thief in the night: to kill, steal and destroy our walk with the Son of the living God by distracting us with problems, situations, and temptations. 

The battleground against good (Jesus) and evil (Satan) is fought in our minds. Instead of focusing on JESUS the Author and Finisher of our faith; we focus on the problems. We need to renew our minds daily casting down every imagination that is not of Jesus and bring every thought into the obedience of Christ Jesus. Do you know Him, Jesus, in your past, present, and future? Ultimately, knowing out past, will help avoid the pitfalls of the present, and we will be prepared for our future.

First, in our past we know what the Israelites when through, in order for God to intervene. Now, the question to ponder is, “What did you go through or what are you going through, in order to establish an intimate personal relationship with the Heavenly Father?”

Significantly, let me share with you: How to let go of self, and let God take control of our lives: past, present, and future.

God is in Control of our destiny. He created us in his image. I give God, praise, honor and glory, simply because: “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus told me to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believeth and is baptized will be saved; but, he who does not believeth will be damned (Mark 16:15-16).

Let us all go to Romans 10:9 and read it together, Romans 10:9 states, “that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Now, after reading this with me, you need to receive these words in your heart, and let go and let God take control of your life. Hallelujah!

Now, you have just been given the gift of salvation. Salvation is God’s gift to a sin sick, dying world all because He died for-- all: to set us free from sin, to have life and have it more abundantly, and to spend forever eternally with Him. Salvation is free. John 3:3 tells us, “unless one is born again of the Spirit; he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

 Secondly, we are living in the present. We need to ask ourselves this question, “Where are we, now? After receiving the gift of salvation, one must put on the whole armor of God: Truth, Righteousness, Faith, the Word of God, Peace, Love and Pray.

Walking in Truth means to know Jesus, His Word, and live His Word. This means that we need to study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (II Tim. 2:15). And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true even: His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

We must engage and walk in Righteousness: Right thinking, resist temptation and strive to live like Jesus, asking ourselves this question in any given situation, “What would Jesus do?” The Word tells us, “To seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well (Matt. 6:33): Character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action) and command (word).

Next, we must put on the shield of faith (spiritual warfare), the gift of faith, and the fruit of the Spirit to make a whole: This is a triple dose of faith to trust in God almighty. So, one must put on faith wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked: 1 John 5:4 asserts, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Know and live the Word of God, act on your faith, resist worry, fear, doubt and unbelief and always trust the promises of God.

Learn to wear and use the Sword of the Spirit-The Word of God—The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrew 4:12).

We must remember to put on PEACE and LOVE: Stand ready in faith, be at peace with God, be at peace with others because the world does nor evolve around you. Share your faith with others and walk in love, telling a dying sin, sick world about Jesus. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:6-7).”

We cannot make it through this life without praying. Prayer is the key that opens the door to the riches of our Heavenly Father’s Kingdom. With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and direction, we are ushered into the Holy of Holies through Jesus Christ, the Mediator of our New Covenant with God. There, the Spirit of God presents our petitions to our Heavenly Father. According to Richard Foster, the author of Prayer: And I quote,

“We bring ourselves before God just as we are, warts and all. Like children before a loving father, we open our hearts and make our requests. We do not try to sort thing out, the good from the bad. We simply and unpretentiously share our concerns and make our petitions”

“Pray without ceasing.” First and for most, just call Him up in everything that you and I do. Yes, God will answer your prayers. I believe and know prayer is the answer for the world, today.

Third, “What does the future hold for you and me?” where there is no vision the people will perish. Write the vision and make it plain. This is plain as I can make it—"FOR WE MUST HOLD A FEAST UNTO THE LORD.” We must celebrate God our Creator. We must become his eyes, ears, mouth, arms, legs and feet for the up-building of God’s Kingdom. We must do the will of the Father in heaven. We must keep his precepts, statutes and commandments.

 Ultimately, knowing out past, will help avoid the pitfalls of the present, and we will be prepared for our future. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thy shalt be saved (Rom. 10:9). Whosoever, therefore shall confess me before men; him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:32).

IN CONCLUSION

In the beginning was the Word (Jesus) and the Word was God, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything that was made. In Him was life, and life was the light of men. The Word is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

 Phillips 3:13 assures me, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. I will do the will of my Father which is in Heaven: To love thy neighbor as thyself, to worship God in spirit and in truth, to praise Him, Glorify Him, to pray without ceasing, to study to shew myself approved, and to listen and sing songs to Him, I am never going to stop celebrating the life of Jesus Christ; Past, Present and Future. (Written by Rev. Larry S. Brinson. edited by Dr. Tywanna Smith)