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Read: Philippians 3:12-16

“I don’t think I did well on that history test today—I should have studied more,” Breonna said as she followed Mom into a store. “And then Shirina got upset when I said her skirt looked like one you used to wear in high school. I meant it as a compliment, but she didn’t take it that way. I tried to explain and say I was sorry, but I still feel bad about it.” Breonna sighed. “What a horrible day!”

“Well, don’t dwell on it, honey,” said Mom. “Now you’ll know better next time.”

“But I should have known better this time!” Breonna picked a pair of shoes and tried them on. “Hey, these are exactly what I want! Can I get them?”

“It’s up to you,” said Mom. “You’re spending your own money. But this is our first stop—you might find something else in another store.” Yet Breonna was so sure she wanted the shoes that she not only bought them but also decided to wear them.

In another store, they saw the same shoes again—on sale. Breonna was dismayed. “I should have waited! I could have saved money.”

“Well, it’s too late now. You’re already wearing the ones you bought, so you can’t return them.”

In store after store, Breonna continued to mope. Finally, Mom took some bills out of her purse and handed them to Breonna. “Here. This covers what you paid for the shoes.”

Breonna gaped at the money. “But you told me to wait, and I didn’t listen! Why should you pay for them?”

“Because I want you to enjoy your shoes—and I want to help you understand that because of God’s grace, you don’t have to live with regret. Grace is giving someone what they don’t deserve, and Jesus did that for us when He died to take the punishment for our sin. Because of His grace, we can trust that He will bring good out of everything that happens in our lives, even things we mess up. Instead of going over and over what we should have done differently, we can learn from our mistakes and move on. We can enjoy life with Him now instead of reliving the past.”

Breonna smiled and put the money in her pocket. “Thanks, Mom.”

–Hazel W. Marett

How about you? Do you dwell on past mistakes and what you should have done differently? Maybe you got a bad grade because you didn’t study, or you failed to help someone when you had the chance. Learn from your mistakes so you don’t make them in the future, but then put them behind you. Jesus saved you by dying on the cross, and He wants you to look forward to a life full of peace and joy with Him.

Today's Key Verse: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (CSB)

Today's Key Thought: Don’t dwell on past mistakes

Dr. Stanley talks about the four types of calls that God issues to His people: salvation, sanctification, service, and accountability. The question isn’t, "Is God calling me?" It’s, "Am I listening?"

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Vietnamese collector Pham has salvaged twenty church clocks from around Europe, many of which had been replaced with electronic versions. One clock, made in Italy, dates back to 1750 and, remarkably, still keeps time accurately. Pham enjoys restoring and preserving the timepieces, saying they remind him of how precious time is and to savor each moment.

In James 4, the writer encouraged his readers to recognize the preciousness of time by reminding them that their lives are like “a mist that appears for a little while” before vanishing (James 4:14). James warned against making plans to “go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money” (v. 13) without consulting God. Instead of presuming on God for the timing and success of their ventures, he reminded them that they “do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (v. 14). Designing our own successes is actually boastful and arrogant if it leaves God out of the picture.

When we recognize the brevity of our lives, we’re able to hold our plans for the future more loosely and better embrace the present moment. We live and work according to God’s design and purpose, which means we can humbly entrust our future to Him and savor each day as the gift from Him it truly is—no matter what it may hold.

It’s Mailbag Friday! You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Segment 1

• When we say that Christians cannot lose their salvation, what exactly do we mean? – Ralph

• In regards to Deuteronomy 4:9, should grandparents be taking a big role in teaching the things of God to their grandchildren? – David

• Are near-death experiences and visions of heaven or hell legitimate? – Anonymous

Segment 2

• Is it wise to listen to sermons or teachings from a pastor that has since fallen into sin? – Seth

• How can we guard ourselves from a performance-based mindset, such as thinking God is happier with us when we are doing good? – Alexandra

Segment 3

• Should our beliefs about the rapture and the tribulation guide our choice of a church? – Anonymous

• Is it wrong to ask God to send me a sign when I need help deciding on something? – Anonymous

• At what point does a hobby become an idol? – Josiah

Segment 4

• Should a church host secular plays from their stage? – Joann

___

Thanks for listening!

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Money touches every part of our lives—and for many of us, it also touches our deepest fears. When bills rise, when income feels uncertain, and when the future feels cloudy, it’s easy to worry. But in Scripture, we are invited to experience how God sees, God knows, and God provides. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West talks about the peace that comes from trusting God. Then, it’s on to your financial questions. That’s Faith & Finance Live—where biblical wisdom meets today’s financial decisions—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Is the God of Israel simply a tribal deity, or does He rule over all nations? Dr. John Neufeld examines Isaiah 41:1-10, where God summons the nations to His courtroom for judgment. He reveals that He controls the rise and fall of empires, stirring up a king from the east who will trample nations. The terrified nations respond by creating idols they must nail down to keep from falling, but to Israel, God speaks differently: "Fear not, for I am with you."

God and the World's Idols: What are you really worshipping? In this series through Isaiah 40–44, Dr. John Neufeld explores one of Scripture's most powerful confrontations between the living God and the idols humanity creates. Writing to a nation facing exile and questioning whether their God has abandoned them, Isaiah paints a stunning portrait of who God truly is — His wisdom that needs no counsel, His power that never grows weary, His sovereignty over history itself.

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "What About Barb?" Enjoy!

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We live in a world where the line between right and wrong, truth and error is blurred. Add to that biblical illiteracy and an embrace of postmodernism and you have a culture based on secular thinking where self is exalted above all else.