Many remember the 1985 movie starring Michael J. Fox, who played the part of teenager Marty McFly, and, Christopher Lloyd, who starred as Dr. Emmit Brown, a weird scientist who invented a time machine placed inside a remodeled DeLorean.  Produced by Stephen Spielberg, Back to the Future, won Oscars for best effects and best sound editing, but its greatest effect was how it affected our culture and way of thinking.

The premise of the movie is that everything we do affects the future; and that premise is actually true. Just as what we've done in the past has affected where we are now, it is imperative that we understand that everything we do in the days and weeks immediately ahead will impact our future.

And since it is not possible to freeze time and remain exactly where we are, it is important that we know how to make good decisions and engage in the right kind of actions as to positively impact the future.

As a pastor, if you could choose to be remembered for only one message, what would it be?

Using the acrostic, L-I-F-E, God's Word teaches us to remember and practice four simple truths as we begin 2010:

LEARN from the past, but we can’t live there.
--Phil.3:13-14 --"...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on..."

It's important that we keep moving ahead.  Things change; and the only thing that doesn’t change is something dead.

You may see a 45-year old lady dressed as a 16-year old would dress - or a 50-year old man in the middle of a mid-age crisis, driving a flashy two-seater red sports car and wearing a toupee, trying desperately to recapture his “glory days” as a young man.

Change is scary, especially as we grow older, but it is also necessary.  Change can lead to new opportunities to see God up-close and personal.

The right idea is seen in the apostle Paul's life.  Paul had learned and had accomplished a lot in his past.  He was a student of Gamaliel, a Pharisee of the Pharisees. He was a vigilant pursuer and persecutor of believers.  He was on the "fast track" to becoming the high priest or the leading rabbi in Israel.  However, after he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, everything changed, and he embraced the change with enthusiasm.

In his letter to the Philippians he explains how he had no desire to live in the past, but to press on to the future.

Phil.3:13-14 – "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on..."

INVOLVE ourselves in serving others.
Phil.2:4 – "do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others."
Mark.10:45 – "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

God has left us down here on earth for the primary purpose of telling others about Jesus, and ministering to people in need.  And it is when we’re fulfilling our purpose that we experience the joy and peace that comes from our relationship with Jesus.  When we involve ourselves in serving others, God helps us see our own problems in perspective, and that they're not nearly as bad as we thought.  We usually come away all the more confident that He will meet our needs.

FOCUS our full attention on Jesus.
Phil.3:10 – "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

Paul wrote about the one thing he was going to do: forgetting what lies behind and pressing on to what lies ahead.  He mentions what has taken place in his former pursuit for personal recognition and success, and the fact that now his full attention was given to knowing Jesus - knowing Him better and better.

The same instruction is given to us by the writer of Hebrews...
Heb.12:1-2 – "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith."

It's the picture of a track meet  where the winner will be the one who ran without encumbrances; such as focusing on the past, or focusing only on self, or even focusing on what the other runners are doing.

Similarly, Paul's idea of "pressing on" has the same emphasis: giving it our best - reaching for the finishing line - looking at Jesus, fixing our eyes on Him - giving every ounce of our being to pleasing Him, worshiping Him, praising Him, obeying Him, and following Him.  It's the very heart of what it means to be His disciple and His follower.

It's not whether we're better or worse than someone else, but how does our life compare with what Jesus called us to do and be?

It's not whether or not the church we attend engages in a traditional or contemporary style of worship, the question is do we exalt Jesus, and not the worship service itself, or the worship leaders, or the pastor?

We are to learn from the past but not live there.  We are called to involve ourselves in serving others, focus our full attention on Jesus, but then, finally, we are to...

EXPECT great things.
John.1:50 – "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You will see greater things than these.'"
Jer.29:11 -- "'For I know the plans that I have for you,'declares the Lord, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'"

2010 is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives, but Jesus is still in control and He holds the future in His hands.  It will be a grand future, because God has great things in store for us. He has promised us great things.  He has promised to meet our needs so long as we’re seeking first His kingdom and His righteousness.

Mt.6:33 – "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."
Ph.4:19 – "and my God will supply all your needs from His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

He has promised to give us wisdom in our decisions so long as we truly believe, and don’t doubt Him.

James1:5 – "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

He has promised us a home in heaven with Him so long as we’ve accepted Jesus as Lord down here.

John.3:16 – "...for whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
John.14:2-3 – "In My Father's house are many dwelling places . . . for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

We live in difficult days in many ways, as we see our economy is such a free fall.  But, as Christians, we know that God will show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him. 2 Chron. 16:9

2010 is the beginning of the rest of our lives.

LEARN from each adventure in life, but never live in and/or dwell on the past.
INVOLVE ourselves in serving others and in so doing, glorify God and experience His peace.
FOCUS our full attention on Jesus - loving Him, serving Him, worshiping Him, obeying Him, pleasing Him. following Him, trusting Him, emulating Him, and allowing Him to mold us, and shape us as He desires.
EXPECT great things because He has promised not only eternal life, but life abundantly down here too.

The Christian Civic League, Maine's Family Policy Council, practices L. I. F. E. and engages in being an effective light of God's truth for Maine.  Thank you for your prayers and your financial support in 2010.

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HELPFUL LINKS FOR LEADERS: 

Flag on the Play

When Churches Trade Power for Popularity

Revival in Haiti

Scripture Scratched

Understanding The Stakes

To Save a Life Is Saving Lives

Are My Sermons Making a Difference?

Confessions Of An Ex-Feminist

Miracle At Planned Parenthood

Death of Global Warming Hoax

What Oil Shortage?

Atheists Attack Mother Teresa

"Gay" Plan For Bathrooms in Maine

Theism And Belief

Heartwarming March For Life 2010

Babies Go To Congress

New Venture for Dr. Dobson

Is America No Longer a Christian Nation?

New Christian Film - The Grace Card

Josh McDowell vs. Oprah Winfrey

Missing National Motto Restored In Washington

Judge Tosses Challenge To "Under God"

A Failing Doctrine

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The Christian Civic League of Maine was formed in 1897 to name and confront sin.  Today, The Maine Family Policy Council continues to minister in a similar tradition.  The only solution is both the most costly and least expensive which is the righteousness of Jesus Christ - the Gospel.