Don't look back!

​Scripture:  Luke 9:62:  “Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of heaven.’”
Observation:  Luke 9 had several commands from Jesus which will guide us in a better life.    When the apostles were worn out from sharing the gospel, Jesus told them to withdraw to revive.   He told his followers to deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow him because whoever loses his life for Jesus saves it.  He warned about being worldly.  We are to be in the world, not of it.  Jesus warned his disciples not to stop others who are ministering in His name because those who are for Jesus can’t be against.  That one is concerning to me because we have to have discernment to know whether they are truly preaching of Jesus or a false teaching that is more New Age.  Jesus warned us to be like little children in our faith.  Little children trust and obey, and are anxious to be with their elders as we should crave to be with Jesus.  We are to walk away from people who will not receive the gospel (the good news).  Then we come to the Scripture I chose for today.  Jesus had several people who wanted to go with him on his mission journeys, but the problem was that their full heart wasn’t into it.  I can’t help but think of the story of Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt when Jesus says don’t look back. 
Application:  Have you ever been driving down the road and something off to the side gets your attention.  If you are not careful, you will find yourself going over the middle line, or off the side of the road.  I think that is why Jesus tells us not to turn back.  Don’t go back into the way of life we lived prior to meeting Jesus.  Don’t get drawn back into sinful habits Holy Spirit has helped you overcome.  Don’t desire the way things once were, and don’t even desire things to be different from where Jesus has you right now.  We are told in Hebrews 12:2 to keep our eye on Jesus, the perfector of our faith.  If we can do that, we will be on the narrow path that leads to eternal life, and will not find ourselves wandering on the wide path that leads to destruction.
Prayer: Father all glorious, ever-loving, omnipotent, gracious Father, we thank you that we don’t have to dwell in our past life.  We thank you that you have promised us a brighter future.  Lord, direct our path and keep us from regret or ‘wish we had done…’  Let us stand firm on your promises and stay on solid ground.  Amen
Tomorrow’s reading:  Genesis 25-26; Psalm 6; Luke 10