New Level. New Devil.

There is a war being waged in the heavens. The angels of God are fighting against the rulers of darkness. This war is going on but there are no news broadcasts to announce it or cover the story.

However, I am sure that you can go to talk to one of your brothers and sisters in the Lord and they can share with you the battle they are going through right now. And share with you the wounds that they have received.

The Lord has spoke and told the church that miracles are coming. This has built up our faith and hope in the Lord (I know it has mine). Looking forward to the blessings of God and hopes that lives are forever changed and souls are saved. This is good news for us who have been praying, fasting, and seeking for a move of God. But for the devil and his evil kingdom this has set him in a rage. He knows that he cannot stop a move of God. What God has spoken will come to pass. His Word will not and cannot return unto Him void. His Words will be fulfilled. And although Satan can't stop a move of God, he can try to hinder one. And he will come up with anything and everything he can to do it.

As Christians and children of God, we start out as babies. And as babies we fight in little battles and we overcome the enemies tactics and devices at the baby stage. But as we grow we will face a new devil with each new level. The enemy will continue to use his same tactics and devices as long as he knows they are working. If you know something is working why change it? But when he sees his tricks are not working he comes up with bigger and new things to try. That is usually where we as Christians get threw for a loop when we enter into a situation that we have never encountered before. Something that hits us hard and at the time we cannot see any way out. Or the situation looks hopeless.

In a game of basketball the object of the game is to keep your opponent from making a basket. You'll notice that the opponent is not interested in their side of the court when you have the ball. The opponent is already moved into position on your side of the court. Plotting,planning, and waiting for you so they can trip you up and make you lose the ball.

That is exactly what the plans of the enemy are. He knows that when we see God move in our circumstances and the things and people in our lives we have prayed for, when our prayers are answered our faith will rise and then not only can we speak that we have the victory but we will see victory.

The job of the devil is to wear us all out and to make us weary.

Daniel 7:25 says

And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

We are going to suffer persecution as Christians in many ways. The devil will come at us with everything he has. But we should keep in mind "this too shall pass."

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Paul said, "our light affliction." Paul was a man who went through and had endured many things.

In 2 Corinthians 11:23 Paul talks about how he was, "in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft." Then verses 24-27 he goes on describing other things he had went through. But even though he went through all that he did, he still called them light afflictions.

And in 2 Timothy 3:11 he says, "....what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." Hallelujah!!!!

Circumstances and situations will arise in our life but as long as we are walking with the Lord, He will help us through them all.

Proverbs 3:5,6 says

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all they ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I love that word shall. Shall is a future tense word. It means will or it will be done. So not only has God directed me on the paths I've walked in the past, I have the promise of my future paths being directed by Him also.

With Jesus leading and guiding us we do not have to fear about whether we are on the right path. I know that when things arise and come at us we begin to wonder if we did something wrong or if we are in the Lord's will or not. That is when our faith and trust must really kick into gear. Paul said the Lord had delivered him from all persecutions. He didn't say the Lord had delivered him from all tribulations, trials, or testings.

We have to remember God will not allow us to be tempted or tested more than we are able to go through. And He will always provide a way of escape that we can bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13). We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). We are mighty and victorious through Him.

The devil and his imps want us to become burdened down and weary. He would love for nothing more than for each of us to throw our hands up and say, "I QUIT." But praise be to God we have a Comforter and Helper who is always there. In the darkest of nights we always hear that small still voice saying to not give up and not to lose hope. Help is coming, it is on the way.

It may look like we are surrounded by the army of the enemy. It may look like he has us out numbered 2 to 1. But I just want to say that God says we have more for us than those that are against us.

In 2 King 6:16 Elisha and his servant were encamped about by the enemy. Elisha prayed that the servants eyes be opened. It says in verse 17 when God opened his eyes he saw, "the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."

My prayer for each child of God is to have our spiritual eyes and ears opened. For us to look past the pain, hurt, offense, trials, disappointments, abandonment, abuse, rage, bitterness, and any other feeling we may have. To look past it and see Jesus. To see that just as Elisha was surrounded by horses and chariots of fire, we too are surrounded. Only we are surrounded by the arms of God. The Lord has us covered and He will never allow us to fall as long as we are serving and walking with Him. Yes, we may stumble at times but Jesus is there to catch us and pick us up and straighten us out again. We will really never fall from His grace. For His grace is sufficient. (2 Cor. 12:9).

I pray we can hear the Words of God telling us to grow not weary in well doing for we shall reap in our due season only if we persevere and faint not (Gal. 6:9).

Now is the time if ever there has been for the children of God to rise up against the enemy. To rise up and fight even with busted noses, broken arms, and bloody knuckles. To know that it is time to fight or be killed. The devil will show no mercy and this "game of life" is no fair.

We need to suit up with the FULL armor of God (Eph. 6:11) and endure hardness as a good soldier (2 Tim. 2:3). So that we can withstand evil having done all to stand! (Eph. 6:13).

Jesus Is With Us When the Storm Clouds Gather

Matthew 14:22-33
Mark 6:45-52
John 6:15-21

(v22)And straightway Jesus constrained (compelled) his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitude away.

Why did Jesus compel His disciples to go in the ship before Him? Why didn't He go with them or go on before them first?

I believe He was teaching them that they should never get ahead of Him. We can't get ahead in life trying to go before the Lord. Jesus has to either be in the same ship with us or He has to have already gone before us in the way.

(v24)But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

Jesus sent His disciples over to the other side. Now all of a sudden the waves begin to start up & the winds begin to blow. There was a storm beginning to form. Surely the Son of God knew there would be a storm to come upon them on their journey to the other side.
Jesus sent them without Him to allow them to know that no matter what may happen in their life and no matter where they are at, He would always be there for them.

(v25)And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

Why did Jesus let them stay in the midst of the storm through the second and third watches of the night?

The fourth watch of the night is considered 3 a.m. until 6 a.m. The disciples had took off in the ship right before the second watch of the night (I am assuming). They had been trying to get to the other side for approximately seven hours give or take.
Jesus wanted them to have faith. No doubt the disciples were scared. They probably thought their life would end that very night.
The Lord might of wanted them to see that it doesn't matter if things look bad, that He will show up right on time.
Jesus wanted them to see that although they worked all night they couldn't save themselves.
Sometimes God will not show up in a situation until all of our options are depleted. He will not show up until the time is right for us to see He is the One who has came through for us. He wants our dilemmas and situations to bring Him glory! But He also wants to show us who He truly is.

Jesus came walking on the water and spoke to them and said...."Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid (v27).

(v28)Peter wasn't exactly sure that it was Jesus calling out to him. He believed in his heart this was Jesus but he wanted to be sure. Peter asked the Lord that if it truly was him to bid him to come to him on the water. (v29) And Jesus told him to come.

These scriptures remind me of when Jesus comes into our lives and we feel He is speaking to us but we sometimes are not sure it is Him or if we are in ourselves. So we ask the Lord if it is truly you show a sign or confirm that this thing is of You.
Once the Lord told Peter to come, there must of been some unction and excitement in Peter's spirit. If there hadn't of been something there he would of never attempted to leave the boat. Probably a little nervous Peter put one foot out and then the other. The hardest part would have been letting go of the boat! To let go or not to let go was the question Peter asked himself. Boldly he let go and began walking toward Jesus.
Just like our walk with God, we know when we get a word from the Lord. If He has called us to do something. The Lord said in Matthew 10 that His sheep know His voice and no other will they follow. Peter was definitely one of the Lord's sheep.

(v30)but when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

As long as we keep our eyes on Jesus and d o not pay attention to the other things we hear people saying about us, we will not sink. But as soon as we begin to listen to what others think we should do and what others say we cannot do, we get doubt in our hearts. We begin to even question on whether or not we've heard from the Lord, and we begin to "sink".

(v31).....O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Whatever the Lord has called us to do, we do not have to worry about how we will accomplish it. For He has prepared the way before the foundation of the world. And He has placed inside of us, while we were yet in our mothers wombs, the tools and necessities we would need in our life. The Lord will never call us to do anything that we are not equipped to do.
By Peter stepping out of the boat the other disciples got to see Jesus' saving power at work right before their very eyes.
Even though we make mistakes and sometimes mess up, God can still use those situations to bring Him glory!

Making It To The Promised Land

Numbers 20:11

When Moses disobeyed God in smiting the rock twice, I believe he was irritated and under a lot of pressure. He might of been at a point where he was through with the murmuring and complaining of the people. God told him (Moses), to take the rod and gather the assembly together. Then He told Moses to speak unto the rock before them and the rock would bring forth water.

But instead he became irritated and impatient and smote the rock twice and the Lord was not sanctified in the children of Israel's eyes. The Lord told Moses and Aaron, that they would not be allowed to bring the congregation into the promised land.

Deuteronomy 34:4
Moses got to see the promised land with his own eyes but could not cross over into it.

It would be terrible to make it all of the way to the promised land to see it and to be just inches away from entering into what God had promised. But because of disobedience and not trusting God we couldn't enter.

I wonder at times, just how often do we feel that something good is about to happen, but then we wonder what happened or what went wrong. We really felt that God was about to move or we were just at the thresh hold of our breakthrough. But we don't see the promise come to pass. I believe it is a mixture of things. Doubt and unbelief, fear, or maybe disobedience to what God has told us to do. I would like to say that Satan cannot stop a move of God, he can try to hinder it but cannot stop it. (However, we can stop a move of God by disobedience, doubt, fear, unbelief, and etc. We are the only person who can stop the blessings of God in our life.)

We need to be sure to speak spiritual and positive things pertaining to ALL things in our lives. Do not allow vain or idle words to come from our mouths. We need to give God glory in all things, even when we are fed up and frustrated. Do not allow anything to hinder what God has promised. If God says to do something a certain way, then we should do it. It will be profitable for us but it ultimately brings glory to God!!

The Mustard Seed

The Lord kept bringing that verse to my mind about if I only "had faith as a grain of mustard see". Usually when the Lord places a verse or subject on my heart and it stays with me for a while I know that there is something there the Lord is really wanting to show me. So I decided to do a study on the mustard seed. I found out some really fascinating things about the mustard seed. Most people think that the mustard seed of the Bible is yellow but during that time it was black.

Below is my notes on the mustard seed with my own thoughts inserted between parentheses ().

The plant itself can grow from two to eight feet tall, with racemes of small yellow flowers. These flowers are usually up to 1/3" across, with four petals each. The leaves are covered in small hairs; they can wilt on hot days, but recover at night. (Through the trying of our faith we may wilt some but we will recover.)

Since the 1950's black mustard has become less popular as compared to India mustard because some cultivars of India mustard have seeds that can be mechanically harvested in a more efficient manner.

Black mustard is thought to be the seed mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 13:31,32

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra) - Black mustard is a many-branched, aromatic, weedy annual plant, growing up to 4 meters in height. (Our faith produces fruit (Rom. 5:1-5) and is a sweet pleasing aroma (Heb. 11:6) to God. Our faith grows more and more everyday that we serve God.) It has showy, smallish yellow flowers. Its seeds grow in long, slender pods. (Our faith is increased with others (Heb. 10:25)). Each pod contains 10-12 brown or black seeds.

History: Ancient Sanskrit writings, dating back about 5,000 years, mention mustard seeds. The New Testament compares the mustard seed to our faith when we first start using it. When we keep using our faith, then it grows like a mustard seed. "and becomes larger than all the garden plants and forms large branches." Ancient Greeks held the mustard plant in very high esteem for its medicinal values. The ancient physician Hippocrates used mustard seeds to heal many ailments. (Our faith can heal many ailments!! James 5:15, Matthew 9:29).

Rich in: Mustard seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids; essential oils; the minerals selenium, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc; vitamins A, B-complex, and C; dietary fiber, protein, and phytonutrients. (Mustard seed faith is an essential nutrient that our spiritual man needs & cannot live without.)

Internal Use: Both mustard seeds and mustard leaves are edible. ( Our mustard seed faith produces edible substance. (Our faith will be our sight or end in sight)). Black mustard contains diuretic, emetic, rubefacient, and stimulant properties. Mustard seeds help reduce the severity of asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine attacks, and some symptoms of menopause. They are helpful in preventing heart attack in those suffering from arteriosclerosis and diabetic heart disease and help lower high blood pressure. Mustard seeds contain substances that protect cells against cancer and inhibit growth of exciting cancer cells. (Mustard seed faith can help heal cancer!). Tea, prepared of bruised mustard seeds and boiling water and left to cool, is used as a gargle in case of throat aches and tumors and as a mouthwash in case of mouth tumors. Black mustard seed has been used also for snakebite and epilepsy. (Mustard seed faith can save you from the snakebites of Satan!!).

To prepare a sure emetic, add mustard flour to a glass of tepid water and gulp it down. To get relief from hiccough, add a teaspoonful of mustard flour to a teacupful of boiling water and drink it. If necessary, repeat the procedure in ten minutes. To clear the voice, mix black mustard seed powder with honey and take every morning. (Mustard seed faith will help us to talk positively and clear our throat from negativity).

Also a mustard seed powder mixture can be used to clear away black and blue spots of bruises. (Mustard seed faith will cure the black and blue spots of what the enemy has thrown at us).

I know this may seem like just a big list of nothing but when I done my study on mustard seed faith and I read the above article...I just began reading and it was like the Lord was right there showing me these spiritual meanings behind the natural use of the mustard seed. I now know that if we just have a little faith that God can use it. I guess that is why in the Bible Jesus said if you have faith like a grain of a mustard seed, so many times. That is really all it takes and who knew that such a small thing could be used to cure illnesses and do all that amazing stuff.

We may start out small in the Lord but when he gets finished with us we will "....be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper."
Psalm 1:3

What Did Moses See In The Clift of The Rock?

When I would open my Bible and begin to read about the life and journey that Moses made, I would always draw myself to one particular passage in the Scriptures. In Exodus 33:18 it says,

"Moses asked the Lord to show him, His glory."

And also if you read on it goes on to say in the same chapter in verses 19 through 23,

"And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass; while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen."

Here we have Moses speaking with God, asking the Lord to show Moses, His glory. The Lord told Moses that no man could look upon His face and live. He did tell Moses that He would allow him to see His back parts.

The Lord gave Moses instructions on what to do. The Lord said, "there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock."

I believe the place by God was on Mt. Horeb (Ex 33:6 said they were "...by the mount Ho-reb.") The children of Israel were commanded, to take off all their ornaments, by God and verse six says by Mt. Horeb. Then afterward Moses began to speak to the Lord in the tabernacle.

Then the Lord told Moses, He would put him in the clift (cleft) of the rock as His glory passed by, and God would cover him with His hand as He passed by.

***clift - neqarah (nek-aw-raw') from 5365; a fissure: -cleft, clift. naqar (naw-kar); to bore (penetrate, quarry): -dig, pickout, pierce, put (thrust) out.)***

I believe the Lord told Moses to go to a place upon Mt. Horeb and this certain place had a cave or some type of crevice for Moses to get in.

Then the Lord said as He went by He would take away His hand and allow Moses to see His back parts: but His face would not be seen.

***Back - achowr (aw-khore') or achor (aw-khore'); the hinder part; hence (adv) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West: -after (-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind (-er part), time to come, without.***

***Parts - yad (yawd); a prim word; a hand (the open one [indicating power, means direction, etc]...mine, ministry, near, x of, x order, ordinance, x with (him, me, you), parts, pain, power.***

I do believe that the back parts that the Lord showed Moses and the glory Moses seen was that of Jesus Christ. The Lord showed Moses of a time of ministry that was to come or what would happen "hereafter". The hereafter I am referring to is of Moses' time.

1 Kings 19:8-12

Elijah had traveled to Mt. Horeb (Sinai) the mount of God.

verse 9 "And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?"

Elijah goes on to be full of pity and explain to God what was wrong. He had the woe as me mentality because they wanted him dead (Jezebel wanted Elijah dead).

verse 11 "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake;"

verse 12 "And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."

We here have Elijah on Mt. Horeb (Sinai) the mountain of God. Verse 9 says he came to a cave. I believe this cave is the cleft of the rock on Mt. Horeb that Moses was also in when the Lord showed Moses His glory. Verse 12 said there was a still small voice that Elijah heard. It doesn't say what the voice told Elijah but after he heard it he wrapped his face in his mantle.
(After Moses was in the presence of God he had to place a veil over his face because of the brightness of God's glory.)
I believe just as Moses had seen the glory of God, something had happened to Elijah here as well. I believe he got a future glimpse or vision of things to come.

Matthew 17:1-3
".....and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him."

Mark 9:2-4
".....and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus."

I believe this was the moment that Moses and Elijah had experienced when they were in that cave on Mt. Horeb.

It said Jesus' raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow. This would be the reason why when Moses and Elijah had been in the presence of God, Himself, they had to cover their face because they beamed with radiance. You are not going to get into the presence of God and not glow!!! And in Exodus 33:19 it said God would proclaim the name of the Lord. I believe Moses and Elijah became aware of the name of Jesus. If not His name at least of His person. They beheld the glory of God.

John 1:14
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."

I just thought I would share what I came across while studying. I welcome comments or discussions on this.

"Why God Hates Pride"

In Ezekiel chapter 28, it talks about the fall of the Prince of Tyrus. It talks about him lifting himself up to call himself a god. Making himself out to be more than he is, exalting himself higher than God.

From verses 1 through 19 there are "hidden" descriptions of Satan. Verse two says, "...Because thine heart is lifted up (Proud), & thou hast said, I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas;...."

This is exactly the reason why Satan was cast out of Heaven. He began to have self-pride & boasting of himself. He allowed proudness to consume his heart. He exalted himself above all that was and is God.

Verse 13 through 15 describes just how beautiful God had created Lucifer. Verse 13 says, "...every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius (ruby), topaz, & the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, & the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, & the carbuncle (turquoise), & gold." It continues on in the same verse by saying that in the day that he was created, God gave him (Lucifer), a beautiful voice to sing. "...the workmanship of thy tabrets (timbrels) of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created."

In Bible times a tabret was the principal musical instrument of percussion. In other words it was the chief or most important element in worship. So based upon this information Lucifer was the highest ranking angel who lead musical worship in Heaven. He had been given a beautiful voice solely for the purpose of glorifying God. His voice when he sang was awesome. Until he began to allow pride into his heart. Verse 15, "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee" (evil was found in him). Verse 17 tells us that his heart was lifted up because of his beauty. It says he corrupted his wisdom by reason of his brightness.

Can you imagine this? God creates Lucifer, the most beautiful angel, & gives him a voice that is so beautiful that every step he took it poured out beautiful praises to God. He then decides to get arrogant & puffed up in himself, thinking he no longer needed God or was better than God. So he decides to try and raise himself up as God to sit on the throne of God.

How stupid was that? He threw away everything that God had given him for a season of self-indulgence. He had power and authority given to him by God. He got power hungry & decided he no longer needed the Almighty.

The Bible says in Hebrews 11:25 that the pleasures of sin are for a season. Lucifer traded a life of joy & contentment for eternity, for the pleasures of sin for only a short while. He gave up EVERYTHING!!!

We are nothing in ourself. Without God we cannot do anything. It take Him working in us and for us. (Galatians 6:3)

In Proverbs 8:13 it says that the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. And it says that God hates pride, arrogancy, the evil way, and a froward (perverse) mouth.

Psalm 10:4 "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." (Or all his thoughts are, There is no God.)

We can see from what happened to Lucifer that pride does come before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. (Proverbs 16:18,19)

In Isaiah 14:12-15 it also talks about how Lucifer exalted himself but God brought him down. God hates pride because pride is giving ourself the credit for something that God has accomplished.

God wants to exalt us & to shine mightily through us but we have to allow Him to do it. It shouldn't be by anything we do because in ourself we really are nothing. Through our prayers, fasting, reading our Bible, sacrifices, obedience, and our love of God; He will in His due time reward us for our hard work & dedication to Him.

I would much rather be humbled and receive nothing in this life & be rewarded in Heaven than to be like Lucifer and lose it all for a few moments of sin and pleasure that is going to be punished for eternity.

Out With The Old & In With The New

In order to receive a gift from someone we must stretch forth our arms and grab it with our hands. But if our arms are full of stuff then we wouldn't be able to reach out & take the gift. Our arms would be so full we wouldn't have room to accept anything else. We, in order to accept the gift, would have to either lay down the stuff that we already have in our arms. Or we can just hang on to what we already have and pass on the gift that is being given to us.

The Lord has been speaking to me today about this. He says that in order for us to receive the gifts & blessings He has for us, we must first make room for them & get rid of the stuff (junk) that we are still holding onto.

The Bible says to "....let us lay aside every weight, & the sin which doth so easily beset us, & let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1)
How are we gonna run any race with a bunch of weights on us? That would make no sense to carry a bunch of heavy rocks aroudn if we were to run in a race. We would want to be as light & free feeling as possible. And that is the same way with the Lord. How can He give us something if we are refusing to let go of all the junk? If we are still carrying around "weights", we can't accept anything else.

We need to do an inventory of what we are "collecting" or "carrying" in our house. We need to regularly go through & do a sweep of ourself. We should take out a spiritual mirror & really evaluate ourself. Are we lining up with God? Or are we in our flesh? Are we holding onto guilt, pain, sadness, worries, & frustrations? If we are carrying around unnecessary "stuff" we can't move forward into what God has for us. Philippians 3:13,14 says, ".....forgetting those things which are behind, & reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

It says to forget the things that are behind us & reach forward! It tells us to press toward, which means keep going ahead and not to look back! Why would we even wanna look back at our past? Sometimes it is good to look back and see how far God has brought us but as far as looking back and wanting to dwell in the past, or wanting to hold grudges and hurt feelings from the people of our past, we shouldn't be doing that.
The devil is going to try to keep you from what God wants you to have. He is going to try & get your emotions & mind in such a mess that we don't know if up is down & down is up. The devil is our adversary, his job is to destroy your life. He is going to try & lay all kinds of junk on you. That is why we need to do a regular check on where we are at.

When Satan comes to us to try to fill our mind with junk we need to get our minds on Jesus & what He wants to give us. Keep our heart, mind, & sight on the Lord. Set our minds on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

Jesus wants to take out all of the "old" stuff out of us and fill us with "new" things. Jesus doesn't want us to look back, He wants us to look forward. We can't do that when we are holding stuff from our past and refusing to give it up. All we have to do is lay it down at His feet.

Isaiah 43:18,19

God wants to do a new thing. He wants to trade things that we are holding & exchange them for blessings. He wants to work inside of us to empty us of everything the world has formed us to be. He wants to completely empty us & then fill us up with His goodness, mercy, and love.