The Past Doesn't Matter

I can’t resist sharing some excerpts from a daily devotional by Jerry Jenkins (co-author of the “Left Behind” series). My mom read it to me yesterday, and I think it perfectly describes where I’m at in life right now and where I’m headed. Maybe someone out there feels the same way if you’re in a dark place today or have been recently.

One verse a friend gave me last year that sums up the quotes below is:

 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Isaiah 43:18.

So far, there is nothing in the Bible that I’ve read, especially in the Psalms that God didn’t write knowing that His people back then would experience the EXACT same things we experience today.

The Bible is the most brilliant, thought provoking, honest and inspiring book that exists if we take the time to delve into it and ask God what he wants to teach us. I love it when I’ve read a passage many times before, and then I’m led to read it again, and it speaks to me in the boldest of ways. That’s how God speaks to my heart. Sometimes it hurts, and I don’t want to face the truth.

Excerpts begin here from the devotional written by Jenkins, called “Taking Hold of Eternity”:

“…always remember that your future is more important than your past. Where you are going matters more than where you have been. What you do from this day forward means much more than what you have already done. You may be affected by your past, but you are not defined by it. Not in the eyes of God.

…Don’t allow yourself to forget what God has done. Don’t let your mind stray from thoughts of heaven.

When you live in the light of eternity, it changes everything. It changes the way you think and act and believe. You no longer see yourself as an aimless being living day to day. You know that you are a child of destiny, awaiting a glorious throne to come….You no longer believe that what you do doesn’t make a difference. You believe that every second and every decision makes an eternal impact on the world, as well as your destiny in heaven. You live as a child of the future, not as a slave to the past.

…God doesn’t care what you’ve done or where you’ve been. He only cares about where you plan to end up.”

“Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you.” 1 Timothy 6:12

Postcards from Lucifer

Every once in a while when I’m

Facing one of life’s moral dilemmas

Of right versus wrong

I get a postcard from Lucifer

Saying, “sure wish you were here,”

The days are filled with laughter,

And overflowing with beer,

No worries and nothing to fear.

It’s the easy life

So forget your Christian convictions

Let go of the unnecessary strife

With all the “restrictions”

Come indulge yourself in life’s

Abundant pleasures

Come experience what I have to offer,

And I’ll give you all of life’s treasures.”

And for a moment, it’s tempting.

After all – it is the road most often taken,

But then I recognize Satan’s

Sly whispers

Which reminds me how I will be forsaken     

For Lucifer’s postcard promises

Are empty and filled with deception

So I respond promptly with my

Letter of resignation

The Lord, my God, has changed

My sinful desires

Giving me a new heart, a new start

And that is where my soul retires

With Him my future vacation

Has security

It’s not the falsity of the mirage

In the desert masqued

By obscurity

So now whenever Lucifer sends

Me postcards

In an effort to hinder

I send them back with a big

Red stamp that reads

“Wrong address. Return to sender!”

Wake Me Up Again

Sometimes love whispers in your ear,

And it’s not really love.

It’s something that wakes you up,

But not necessarily gets you up.

Is it a dream,

Or is it a reality?

Can’t help but being an artist of life.

What did God put us here for?

To love one another,

Which is impossible to do

Unless we’ve walked

In one another’s shoes.

And to think our Jesus

Walked in each of our shoes already…

Way before we knew what to feel.

Way before we knew what was real.

Stay Close

Stay Close

By Melissa Wren

It’s at these times when God is

As near as the next tear

That falls from my tired eyes

I’ve tried to follow your commands

Attempting to keep the pace

Hoping to meet your expectations

When I finish the race

When I’ve given up

Stay close

When I self-destruct

Stay close

I long to feel your flesh

The touch of your hand

On my skin, even if by obligation

Reminding me of your human temptations

Can I curl up in your arms

The rest of this life

Fall asleep

Until I wake up as your wife?

As much as I fail

Give in to the things

I don’t want to do

I believe you still love me

Which should be enough

You’re a God of compassion

Of reckless, regardless empathy

When I’ve given up

Stay close

When I self-destruct

Stay close

The days get longer

Hiding from fear

Losing ground on my purpose

Wishing I could disappear

Wanting desperately to know you’re near

You know I’m flawed

My heart so repulsively sick

I lay down in my own filth

So terribly yet justly tragic

But your plans are not to harm

Why do I fight to surrender?

I know you will disarm

With gentleness, grace so tender

You keep taking me back

Despite my willingness to

Distract from the lessons

I refuse to see

When I’ve given up

Stay close

When I self-destruct

Stay close

Not Just Another Love Letter

Not Just Another Love Letter

By: Melissa Wren

Why don’t you realize darling

You’re all that I need,

Come to me broken

I’ll understand

How hard it is not being able to

Do it in your own strength

That’s why I love you,

You try at your own demise

But I gladly kiss the tears

from your drowning eyes

We are one – God gave us two roles

Why must you try to do mine?

You’re my love, my laughter

My greatest masterpiece

A chandelier showcasing a ballroom

Or a sequence on an accessory piece

To me you shine the brightest

When you’re not pretending

to be someone else

you never see the true beauty in the

cracks that shine through the natural light

I delight in your company,

So simply uniquely complicated

But always quick on your feet

You try and find an enduring way

To be sophisticated.

When I go to grab your hand,

Away from me I wish you wouldn’t pull

Knowing someday, we’ll be together forever

I can hardly wait for that day

Because I’m nobody’s fool.

If ever there were a reason for me to exist

I’m sure you are it

You need my assistance,

And though I get your resistance

I’m confident in the consistent way I persist

One day soon I’ll sweep you 

Deep into my arms

You’ll finally look into my eyes

We will melt into one

Don’t ever be afraid my beautiful bride

It’s me

But when I take the seat beside our Father,

Know that I’m still yours,

And I’ll pick you up when you fall to your feet.

*Isn’t it a comfort to know that this is how Jesus looks at each one of us? This hasn’t been the easiest of seasons of life for a while now, and I hope it has been for you. God gave me words that overflowed out of my heart today, and for that I’m so thankful. I love my friends and family and hope you’re doing well. Love you, Melissa