“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes”

Memories – we all have them!Memories – we all have them! Good ones & not so good ones Events – an indelible effectEvents – an indelible effect Characters & Personalities Circumstances What’s past is pastWhat’s past is past It can’t be changed now – only the way it is perceived The only thing we can do with the past is learn from it Don’t look back – not! “We may not be able to see into the future but we do have 20/20 hindsight”

“If only I could have known then what I know now” “If only I could know now what I knew then” Old age or selective amnesia Rose-coloured spectacles or dark sunglasses Don’t look back – not!

Is it Biblical to look back?  Altars, Memorials & Festivals  tangible reminder to God’s people of their history and values  reflect what God has done for them After a while the people of Joshua’s generation died, and the next generation did not know the Lord or any of the things he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10 CEV)

4 Big Questions  What have I heard?  What have I learned?  What have I implemented into my life as a result?  What difference is it making to way I live and the impact/influence I have on others?

Personal Accountability Audit What have I heard? What have I learned? What have I implemented? What has resulted?

Is it Biblical to look back? “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2 NIVUK) “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19a NIVUK)

Motivation “Whatever makes us do whatever we do”

Motivation Whatever makes us do whatever we do  Previous experience and past history  Present situation and available resources  Potential opportunities and future expectations

Decision-making processes “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 103:2 NIVUK) “Keep company with God, get in on the best” “Keep company with God, get in on the best” (The Message) “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21 NIVUK)

Fear of failure It may not work Lack of confidence Never done it before What others may think Too much on my plate already Other people will be better than me Potential Roadblockers

In PRAISE – remember and be thankfulIn PRAISE – remember and be thankful In PRAYER– ask and it will be givenIn PRAYER– ask and it will be given In our God-given PURPOSE – step out in faithIn our God-given PURPOSE – step out in faith If our present is determined by what we did in the past, our future is determined by what we do today Don’t hold back!