Foundation scripture: Philippians 3:13. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

Main Point: Arise into your destiny by making a decision to leave the past garbage behind. Don’t look back.

What does the garbage in our lives look like?

- It is sin.

- It is disobedience.

- It is pride.

- It is selfishness.

- It is stubbornness.

- It is basically a life without the desire for God’s righteousness in our lives.

When trials come don’t go back. Keep moving in God’s direction with trust.

- Exodus 14:9-13. When trials came the children of Israel wanted to look back. God wants us to look for him. Trust him.

- Exodus 14:21-31. Moses leads the children out of trouble by trusting that God would intervene.

The lesson learned is that God wants us to keep looking to him for our next step in life. When the trials of life hit don’t run back to your comfort zone, run into his arms with trust and faith.

Looking back in disobedience is sin

- Genesis 19:17-23. God gives Lot clear instructions not to look back as you flee into the mountains. Away from Sodom.

- Genesis 19:24-26. Lot’s wife disobeys and suffers the consequences of looking back.

Pastor thoughts:

- It is the people who can look forward and focus on being the best they can be each day that will be able to find righteous fulfillment, peace, joy and destiny.

- People who focus on the past wishing they could go back to the past, to either fix it or go back to better times, will end up in the wilderness.