Tommy Bates Ministries

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“The Lord God is my strength.  He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on high hills.”  Habakkuk 3:19

In the fast-paced world of today, one might think moving on is a relatively easy concept.  Nowhere in today’s society are we encouraged to slow down, let alone stop.  We live in a fast-food, fast-pass, fast-lane kind of world.  Yet, when someone finds themselves at their lowest point in life, whether through death, addiction, financial ruin, etc. you will find that moving on is harder than this secular world makes it seem.

I think that is why the Bible provides for you and me, steps to moving on.  We are not called to pick up and move on after tragedy, without following a strategically designed plan hidden in the wonderful Word of the Lord.  May the following steps aid you to “just keep moving” the next time you find yourself stuck in a battle:

  1.  Remember where your help comes from:  “My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.”  Friend, our help is not in a pill, bottle, or even a therapist.  True help comes from the one who created us.  Seek Him in your time of need.
  2. Let go of the Past:  The Bible even encourages us to forget.  “Do not remember the former things,  nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth;  shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”  Isaiah 43:18, 19.  Often, forgetting the tragedies of the past are difficult, if not nearly impossible.  I think the more important point here is that God promises to make a way for our future, when we let go of our past.
  3. Trust the Word:  Having been in the ministry for more than forty years, I am confident of one thing.  Folks do not put enough trust in the inherent Word of God.  If we did, America would truly be in a different state of affairs.  The Bible so beautifully demonstrates the result of following God’s Word, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.   He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:2, 3
  4. Reap the Rewards:  There is no greater blessing than to reap a reward for obedience.  Timothy reminds you and I what that looks like,  “My life is coming to an end, and it is now time for me to be poured out as a sacrifice to God. I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.

The prize that awaited Timothy, awaits you, too.  As you go about your week, and trials confront you, remember where your help comes from, let go of the burdens that hold you down, trust in the One who created you and reap the precious rewards of peace and healing that our Precious, Heavenly Father offers.

As always, I’m saving YOU a seat at Community Family Church!

We love y’all

Pastor Tom


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