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You’ve heard it before – from Oscars to Grammy’s; FAMAS to Star Awards.

Many refer to God as the ‘man upstairs’. I often wondered about that.

But watching Tim Tebow’s post game interviews, he flat out states who this ‘man upstairs’ is.  You’d hear him say, “I want to thank my LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.”

I guess that’s why he is one of the most polarizing athlete these days.  Many love him and lots more hate him. Even Saturday Night Live makes fun of him.

But the Bible clearly says that “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12).

It’s to be expected.  Why?  If the One you claim to follow was crucified, I guess His followers can expect some type of crucifixion.

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.(Romans 1:16)

I spoke to Jessie (not his real name) who has a difficulty forgiving someone from his past.  In fact, the guy’s been dead for years yet he still is upset with him.  Forgiveness is a necessity.  It’s really not for the offender than it is for the offended.  Unforgiveness is like drinking poison hoping that the other person dies.  Hard to do, but a necessity.

Then I had a meeting with Troy (also not his real name).  We’ve been meeting because he and his wife have been going through marriage problems.  He admitted that he lived a life of arrogance, hypocrisy and immorality. Right before New Year’s Eve, he sent me this text…

“Looking back at 2011, God exposing me for the fraud I was, was the best thing that ever happened in my life. I will honor God in all that I do in 2012, and the years to come. Thanks. Happy New Year.” 

After that, Paul texted me (yeah, his real name this time) and told me that God had healed him from cancer. Whoa! Amazing testimony!

Hearing these three stories, one passage of Scripture comes to mind.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up… (Isaiah 43:18)

1. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

Many are stuck in the past. It’s like driving your car and having your eyes fixed on the rear view mirror all the time. Unfortunately, you cannot and will not enjoy the view up ahead because what is behind always takes your perspective.

It’s hard to walk forward if you’re always looking backward.  Soon enough, you’ll bump your head.  Plus, you’ll miss the adventure of the future.

2. I am doing a new thing!

God is a God of new things!

Every morning, His mercies are new.
Every season, new flowers blossom.
Every year, new hope springs up.

If you keep dwelling on the past, you’ll miss all the new things God has for the future.

And it is in the routine, mundane and ordinary that we notice the little miracles God wants to recreate in and around us.

3. Now it springs up…

Now…! Did you hear it?

I’ll say it again, “NOW!”

Not next week. Not 2 months from now. Not next year. NOW!

God’s doing something new. He really is. Wait for it. Listen to Him. And praise Him in the process.

Our God is an awesome God!

There are moments when God tests us with the very provision He’s given.

Take Abraham for example in Genesis 22.  God told Abraham to take his son, his only son, to Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him up there.

Tests are necessary.  We don’t like it.  Some actually hate it.  But we need it.  It shows what’s really inside.

You want doctors tested and take their board exams.  You want cars tested for safety.  You want computers tested so they work well.

Tests are there to bring to surface what’s really inside.  For a medical student, the test shows what’s inside their brain.

Tests are not punishments but preparations.

They prepare us for future promotion. Grade 2 students take their final exams to get promoted to Grade 3.

For many of us, God tests to bring promotion – because He DOES have something HUGE in store for the future.

God tested Abraham with the very provision given.  The very thing that was promised was now the very thing being taken away? It didn’t make sense.  However, at the end, it all did.

When God tests us with the very provision He’s given, He wants to see if…

We’re so focused on the provision that we miss the Provider.
Or we seek His hand rather than His face.
or we pursue the blessing rather than the Blesser.

Tests bring up what’s really in there.

After everything, God’s verdict “NOW I KNOW…  that you fear God…”

“NOW I KNOW…”

When God looks inside our hearts, what will He find out?