Sunday, January 6, 2013

“If Only” vs. ”Next Time” Part 2


Isaiah 43:1-3a, 16-21
The text at which we are looking today is a good text with which to live as we begin this New Year.  This background of God’s intervening in history and doing a “new thing” leads us to look at two very different approaches to life—“If Only vs. “Next Time.”
“If Only” vs. ”Next Time”
1. "If only" looks backward; "Next time" is a look forward. 
2. "If only" is a word of defeat; "Next time" is a word of hope.
When I am anxious it is because I am living in the future.  When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.
  I.     The “If Only” Approach to Life…
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.”

·      Is a life dominated by regrets.

·      Creates discouragement which leads to defeat.

·      Causes us to be preoccupied with revenge.

Resentment means to re-feel.

When the person feeling resentment is directing the emotion at themselves it appears as remorse.

Resentment forms a lens through which we view the person and their behavior and calls attention to everything they do that confirms our anger.

·      Is always an expression of self-pity.

·      Ultimately, self-pity is a protest against God.

II.     The “Next Time” Approach to Life… 
“Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?”

·      Forgets what others have done to you and concentrates on what others have done for you.

·      Learns from the past instead of continuing to wallow in it.

·      Digs a grave and buries negative thoughts so that you might cultivate a garden for positive ideas.

·      Looks beyond the surface of things to the reality of life.

·      Trusts God to meet our needs with His supply
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.

Faith overcomes fear, it doesn’t remove it.

·      Remembers the works of God and Praises Him. 
The people whom I formed for Myself Will declare My praise.

It’s not WHAT we look at that determines our experience but HOW we look at it.

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