“Now Then” is a phrase used for getting someone’s attention when you are starting to talk about something new. It’s a phrase used to interrupt or redirect what’s being discussed, so that you can discuss or consider what is more appropriate or important.
*Psalm 90:1-12
What you do now will determine what happens then.
Yesterday is behind you. Today is surrounding you. Your future is in front of you.
“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead.” Phil. 3:13
Now – is this instance.
Then – refers to time; it can refer to the past or the future.
Building a Better and Brighter Future
Learn from the past; Live in the present; Believe for the future.
You have to learn to admit you were wrong and you will need to admit that you don’t have it all figured out. But, you also have to admit what you do know and what you do have figured out…
1. Realize You will Never Have it All Figured Out. (The starting place is admission [an act of admitting : the fact or state of being admitted. the right or permission to join or enter a place, a group, etc]: admitting your need, your weakness, your sin, your addiction, or your shortcoming, is the gateway to victory and the doorway to freedom.)
⁃ I’ve not arrived.
⁃ There are things I don’t know.
⁃ There are things I could be better with, and better at.
⁃ I don’t know the answer to every question.
⁃ I don’t know the solution to very problem.
⁃ I can’t understand everything that happens.
⁃ I don’t always know the right thing to do or the right thing to say.
*Phil.3:13 (But this one thing I do) You may not have it all figured out, but you may have one thing that you do know or that you can do.
⁃Learn from the past, but forget the bad times, the sorrow and the regrets of yesterday.
⁃Learn from the past, but break the cycles and patterns of the past that created what you didn’t desire, so they don’t reappear in your future.
⁃Learn from the past, but don’t carry the burdens, sorrows or regrets of the past into the present, or into your future.
2. Remember the Past is the Past.
(Forget the things that hinder your future progress, or keep you bound to the past in a negative way; especially the things that bring disappointment and discouragement in regards to your future)
⁃Regrets (what you did or said)
⁃ What you did or didn’t do.
⁃ What you said or didn’t say.
⁃ You can’t change the past. But, if it’s been forgiven, than forget it! – trust God for your future.
⁃ Don’t allow what you can’t control; to control you!
⁃Unforgiveness (what other people have done or said)
“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
⁃ It takes faith to give and receive forgiveness.
⁃ Not forgiving doesn’t cause harm to the other person, it causes harm to you.
⁃ Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the offense, it releases you from the burden of carrying the hurt.
⁃ Forgiveness doesn’t minimize the fault of the offender; it brings freedom to the offended.
⁃ Jesus said, “Father forgive them, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
⁃Not forgiving will keep you tied to the past you’re desiring to forget.
⁃Failures
⁃ Keep you tied to the past.
⁃ Keep you bound by regret.
⁃ Keep you from trying or believing again.
⁃ Keep you bound by fear. *(it can’t or won’t be any different the next time)
⁃Achievements
⁃ The reason this is so dangerous is because we measure everything by our greatest moments, not enjoying what we are achieving right now.
⁃ If you are constantly waiting to celebrate just the “big thing” you will never enjoy the small moments and victories along the way.
⁃God celebrated every time He created something. It took Him 7 days to do what He could have done in a moment, and He rested on the 7th day and every time He created something, He paused and said, “it is good.”
⁃ If you are always in search of the next “big thing” you will miss all the small blessings along the way.
⁃ Everyone else’s “highlight” reel can look incredible and can make your life seem insignificant. *social media
⁃ Thankful
⁃ Grateful
⁃ Content
⁃ Comparing and complaining will keep you from being content!
The last always looks better than it really is, the farther you move away from it. (The good old days)
⁃Live in the present and make the most of every moment.
⁃Don’t take life or yourself too serious.
⁃Always be a work in progress that is always growing and ever learning.
3. Reach for What’s Next and What’s Best.
(But don’t miss what’s beside you) – I don’t think Paul is saying he’s trying to get ahead, he’s reaching for what matters and forgetting what doesn’t.
⁃ When don’t feel like you have anything to look forward to; it’s easy to look back.
⁃ See it (you have to see it first)
⁃ Say it (say what you see)
⁃ Seize it (take hold of it)
⁃ Straining, stretching (risk and change)
⁃ Stretching will help you reach higher, and go further.
⁃ The greater the risk the greater the reward.
⁃ Nothing ever changes without change
⁃ Stretch yourself and reach higher!
⁃ Don’t get distracted with things that don’t matter!
⁃ Celebrate small victories along the way.
⁃ Enjoy life, glorify God, and love people.
⁃ Good intentions won’t get you there.
⁃ Intentions are what you intend to do.
⁃ Strategy is a clear plan on how to accomplish what you desire.
⁃ Your strategy, not your intention, determines your success.
⁃ Many people intend to spend more time with their family, to be less scattered at work, to manage their time better, to ensure their top priories get accomplished, but they haven’t found a strategy to get them to that place.
⁃Set goals and prioritize what truly matters.
⁃Stretch yourself and dream big.
⁃Be open minded, but, stay focused on what truly matters.
1. Learn from the past – but forget the bad times, sorrow and regrets – You can’t change what has happened up to now, but you can determine what happens from now on. *admit
2. Live in the present – Make the most of every moment, don’t take life or yourself too serious and make as many memories as you can. Always be a work in progress – always growing and ever learning. *forget
3. Believe for the Future – Reach for what’s ahead. Set goals and prioritize what truly matters. Stretch yourself, dream big, be open minded, and stay focused on what truly matters. *reach
