Your Destination is New Day Street!

Along with millions of other people, we watched the historic pairing of Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr on stage at the Ed Sullivan Theater for the 50th anniversary tribute to the Beatles. We both watched the original visit to the Ed Sullivan show back in 1964 as did most of the kids our age. For us, the baby boomers, it was awesome. Reliving being an enamored young girl for me and for my hubby a teenager who ultimately had every record they ever made together. Many pleasant memories came flooding back as the songs reminded us of lost love, true friends and the meaning of life (for them at least).

We did not go to bed singing Beatles songs or pulling out memorabilia. We left the fun of the evening where it belongs – in the memory bank of life. We can’t go back to those times, nor do we want to. It was fun, but it’s done. We’ve got life to live and more memories to make so we look forward to what God is doing in our lives as we live a life that’s pleasing to Him. 

We all enjoy reliving past memories. But we cannot live in the past. Memory Lane can be visited but we must not live there. The past is where it belongs. The best of moments are part of history. As great as they are, as much as we enjoy the fun of it all, it’s just a memory. We can’t live in the past, for it’s already been lived. We have a future to walk into that holds as much promise as our greatest times of yesteryear. If we spend all our time reliving the past and trying to regain the moments of our youth we’ll miss living today. We’ll also miss looking to the future where we are to keep our eyes on the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus. 

Maybe you believe that someone has robbed you of your future. They cannot do this, for only God sets the future in motion, only God gives the calling to His children and only God says when the end will come. Maybe your life looked better back then than it does right now. Hold on, for God is making all things work together for your good as you keep your eyes on Him. 

Oh beloved! It’s important this morning for you to know that you have a future. It does not matter what your age is or what your past looks like, your future is bright with promise. God has put it in the hearts of all believers to look forward, not back. Today is the day to look ahead and ask God what today’s plans are for you. Every single day has its own special plans just for you. You are awake, you are breathing, you are able to get up and take nourishment, so God’s plan is with you. Maybe all your past memories are pleasant, maybe they aren’t. Either way, to live with your memories is to rob yourself of the blessing of looking ahead to Jesus. You can’t undo the mistakes; you can’t really live the greatest moments again. It’s time to do yourself the greatest favor you’ve ever done. 

Leave the mistakes at the altar with the Lord. He’s explained it in His Word, that He’s placed your sins as far as the east is from the west. You’ll have to leave your greatest accomplishments there as well. Leave them at the altar of praise and thank God for each and every one of them. But reach out to Him this very day for your next assignment and your richest blessings. 

You are more than your memories and your address is New Day Street! God loves you so much that He’s making a way for you to continue to walk in blessings, live triumphant and make great memories for your future. He’s for you so that you don’t have to fear what’s ahead, you only take a step at a time to walk in His ways and live for Him always.

You and I are very blessed, beloved, for He’s given us His great and precious promises so that we can live in the light of His Word! Go ahead, go out today and make some wonderful memories for the Kingdom and the Glory of God.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you.

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

God Sees No Limits on You Because He Loves You

I have lots of “old stuff” in my house. From the antique furniture to timeworn lamps, I try hard to reuse and re-purpose things. My mother was really good at that. She would see a dilapidated castoff piece that no one would want and make it seem brand new. She saw things differently than other people do. She found worth in items that others saw as worthless.  That’s why she loved auctions and estate sales. For little money, she would garner a rickety table and take it home to re-do. With just a little paint and polish it could be made to look absolutely beautiful and a greatly desired piece. Occasionally she would even find something in a roadside pile of junk and make it sparkle. It was her keen eye that saw beyond the flaws and deemed them worthwhile instead of worthless.

We tend to treat people the same way. Many of us, truth be told, are castoffs. We may have been used up, disrespected and overwhelmed. We’ve seen better days, we’re not so young anymore and there is more life behind us than before us. We get told we’re too old and of little use to those who come behind us. Businesses try to retire us, family may well ignore us and we may find ourselves feeling useless and alone. As long as we see ourselves as the world says, we will continue to throw up our hands and retreat. We may even quit doing, quit dreaming, and quit growing as we believe what others say about us. 

There is One Who sees you very differently from the way the world sees you. While the world places limits on you, God sees no such limits. Age to God is simply a number. Man looks on the outside to see the value or declare there is none. But God looks on the heart. Both in youth and in old age, God still moves and uses and blesses. It’s all about being yielded to God that gives each person their true worth. While you may have been pronounced a reject, God pronounces you are re-purposed!  Every day is a new day for God’s grace, blessings and value. 

Oh beloved, run to the Lord’s Book of Truth and find out what He thinks of you. Then look further into His Word as you discover the new things God is doing in your life. Listen closely to what He says so that your life will continue to be in His service. Not only will God’s Word heal your heart, it will give you ways to speak the truth into someone else’s life.  God loves you (period) and He’s for you (period) to give you a life that is everlasting in heaven and purposeful here on earth!

Job 12:12 Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God.  Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me. 

Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

2 Chronicles 34:1-2 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

I Samuel 16:7 …The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart

Psalm 92:12-14 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon, for they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit… 

Do You Need a Fresh Start? You can have One!

It’s the first day of school and many households are re-learning getting up and getting going. Summer break is over and children are putting on new clothes, new shoes and donning backpacks. Some are riding the bus and others are being carried in the family car.  Old friends will be hugged and new friends will be made. Some students will cry, some mothers will cry.  The cafeterias will be baking and the playground equipment will be full. It’s a fresh start kind of morning.

Oh beloved, do you need a fresh start? Is it time for a change? In your attitude, in your demeanor, in your outlook? Today, like school children all across America, you can have that change. You can put on a new look and walk a different walk. I know things have been bad for a long time. Maybe someone’s tried to help point the way for you but you’ve rejected all help. You may be angry, tired, frustrated, hopeless, dejected, miserable.  There is One Who will pick you up and take you where you’ve never been. It’s never too late to let God teach you in His School. Run to Him this morning and open His Study Guide. It’s more than a book – it’s God Breathed! God’s Word is True and it’s written just for you. Because He loves you He can take all your misery, all your mistakes, all your futility and restore your faith, your joy and your hope. Try Him today! He loves you and He’s for you and that’s all that matters.

 Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.

Jeremiah 17:14  O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!

Psalm 6:2  Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak. Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

Lamentations 3:22-23 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!  His mercies never cease.  Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.