Midweek Encouragement - “The Forward Look”

“The Forward Look”

             ^{Before you read this week’s PD’s Mid-Week Encouragement, pull out your Bible and read Luke 9:57-10:2.}

         ^{Why were the laborers few (Luke 10:2)? I think there were many reasons. One of the main reasons is given in Luke 9:62 . . . too many people look back.}

         ^{Can you imagine how hard it would be to plow a straight row in a garden while looking back? I’m no farmer but I do know that plowing isn’t easy work. The farmer must fix his eyes on a distant point and maintain that straight, steady line. Looking back is asking for a crooked line and a ruined field.}

         ^{In my years in the ministry, I’ve seen many Christians start serving the Lord and then they look back. Why do they do that? Two little words give the answer . . . “Me first.” Two disciples in Luke 9:57-10:2 said, “Let me first . . .” If a person is going to work in the fields, he or she must put self last and the Lord of the harvest first. When a Christian insists on having his or her own way, the fields will never be prepared for the harvest.}

         ^{Proverbs 4:25 says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” Jesus warned us in Luke 17:32 to “Remember Lot’s wife.” She looked back and was judged instantly. Paul wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” That, my friend, is the forward look of faith that leads to victory and vitality in the Christian life.}

         ^{The same can be said for an entire church, too. Do many in your church family bemoan “the way it used to be” as they recall the glory days of their church’s history? Always looking back to the bygone “good ole days” and never looking forward to what God still has in store for your church is a recipe for failure and can result its death.}

         ^{Don’t you think Jesus had a forward look while He lived and served here on earth? You bet He did! Paul wrote in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Luke says this about Jesus’ forward-looking attitude, “As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51-53).}

         ^{There’s certainly a time to look back . . . perhaps a church’s anniversary Sunday or All Saints Day . . . but when a Christian or a church fails to look ahead, stagnation and self-centeredness will be the result.}

         ^{My friend, keep your eyes firmly focused on Christ as you plow a straight line forward with the Spirit’s help today. And may God help you bring in a harvest of new believers for His kingdom!}

^{For those of you who will be in worship at the Mt. Laurel Church of God this coming Sunday, May 12, my message will be based on this Scripture:}

^{Luke 24:44-53}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.