"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Romans 15:13).
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you” (1 John 2:15).
More than 170 women are written about in Scripture, but Jesus specifically references one: “Remember Lot’s wife.” Genesis 19 chronicles Sodom’s destruction, beginning with the Angel of the Lord mercifully telling Lot and his family to flee Sodom beforehand. The angel instructed, “Don’t look back!” That’s it. Yet, Lot’s wife disobeyed, looked back despite the warning, and was instantly turned into a pillar of salt. She took her eyes off freedom ahead, concerned for her old life and the place she was being delivered from. She got stuck—forever memorialized in a place she only intended to pass through.
When our attachment to the past becomes greater than our commitment to our future, we miss God’s blessing. God is saying, “Don’t look back. Don’t long for that chapter I am closing. There is a reason I burned your past to the ground. Don’t look back!” We must trust God, look to the future, and commit to moving forward in Christ. It’s necessary for our spiritual growth and freedom! “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other” (Matthew 6:24). When God prompts us to leave behind certain possessions, relationships, jobs, and things mistakenly inflated as key to our lives, trust Him! We will be better for it.
Guiding Points:
Call to Action: Trust God, even on difficult days. Read these scriptures and pray with us.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).
“I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Prayer: Father God, we praise Your holy name today! We know You’re with us through good and bad times. Help us never to lose faith, always follow You, and look ahead toward the blessings You have for us. In Your precious name, we pray, Amen!
Final Thought: God’s will is perfect, and He will lead us through every step!
The Cost of Looking Back
Focus on the Fruits! KINDNESS
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
Responding to the Call: Embracing Jesus as Our King
“The righteous cry, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:17-19).
Choosing a Soft Heart: Rekindling Your Hearts Compassion
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God" (Matthew 5:8).
Focus on the Fruits! PATIENCE
“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
God’s Shining Face: The Profound Impact on Our Lives
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24- 26).
Focus on the Fruits! PEACE
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: A Journey Towards Divine Purpose
“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Focus on the Fruits! JOY
“God will let you laugh again; you’ll raise the roof with shouts of joy” (Job 8:20).
Taking Up the Mantle: Your Role in Expanding God’s Kingdom
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).