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If you’ve ever driven a car, you know the rearview mirror has a purpose—but it’s not meant to be your primary focus. It’s small for a reason. You glance back briefly, but your eyes belong on the road ahead. In the same way, God never intended for you to live your life staring at your past. When we fixate on what’s behind us—past mistakes, missed opportunities, or wounds caused by others—it can steal our peace in the present and keep us from stepping into what God has prepared for our future.

The devotional reminds us that the past lives in the rearview—it can inform us, but it should not define us. We can’t change what happened, but we do get to choose what we do with it. We can lament, staying trapped in regret, guilt, shame, or anger—or we can learn, allowing God to redeem our experiences and help us move forward with wisdom and grace. The goal isn’t to pretend the past didn’t happen. The goal is to release its hold on your heart so you can press on, like Paul describes, toward the life God is calling you into.

And you don’t have to do that alone. God gives help through the Holy Spirit, through wise counseling, and through trusted friends who can support you, pray with you, and remind you of truth when you feel stuck. Everything God has for you is ahead. Your destiny isn’t behind you—it’s in front of you.

Main Takeaways

• Your past is meant to be glanced at, not lived in—your primary focus belongs on what’s ahead.

• You can’t change what happened, but you can choose whether you lament or learn from it.

• God’s grace allows you to view your past through redemption, not regret.

• Healing is often a process, and God provides support through the Holy Spirit, counseling, and friends.

• God’s purpose for you is in your future—don’t let yesterday keep you from stepping into it.

Today’s Bible Verse

Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Your Daily Prayer

Heavenly Father,

I bring my past before you. I acknowledge my struggles with past mistakes and the choices I have made. But I also wrestle with things that were done to me. Yet, you tell me to cast all my anxieties upon you because you care for me. That is what I do today. Help me give you every aspect of my past that I am holding onto. Whether it is guilt, shame, or anger, I release it to you. Help me leave it there, and in exchange, I pray you will give me freedom from my past so I can step into the future you have for me. Give me grace to live with my eyes forward, only looking back to learn and apply those lessons as I move forward in you.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Please visit https://www.biblestudyheadquarters.com/ for more tools and resources to help you grow in faith.  You can also become a regular supporter of this podcast on the website.

.

If you enjoy the show and want to buy John a coffee, please click here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/johnstange

.

The "Desire Jesus One Year Devotional" can be found here:  https://amzn.to/41v1DKh

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To email John Stange directly, please send your message to [email protected].

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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In today's episode, Becket Cook talks with former gay man Josh Duiker who shares his powerful testimony of leaving the LGBTQ lifestyle after a dramatic encounter with Jesus at age 40. From growing up secular and struggling with same-sex attraction, addiction, and promiscuity in Los Angeles, to attending a progressive gay-affirming church in Hollywood, Josh reveals how he discovered it was a false gospel and ultimately found true freedom at a biblical church.

In this emotional interview, Josh opens up about his radical salvation experience alone in his apartment, why progressive "gay Christianity" couldn't satisfy his hunger for truth, how reading Scripture and solid preaching exposed the deception, leaving the gay lifestyle, facing backlash from friends and family, and embracing biblical faith.

A must-listen story of redemption, grace, and the transforming power of the real Jesus Christ.

The Becket Cook Show Ep. 225

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This episode is part 42 in a study of the gospel of Luke. Jesus predicts his own death, heals a blindman, and comes upon a tax collector who is a little short, Zacchaeus, whose life changes.

https://thebiblestudypodcast.com/luke-18-19-zacchaeus/

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Episode Summary:

Welcome to a brand-new year! If you’re like many, today might bring a mix of emotions. Excitement for a fresh start, anxiety over the unknown, or maybe even a lingering weight from the past. So many of us enter the new year feeling burdened by past mistakes, failures, or regrets. The enemy would love nothing more than to keep us stuck in shame, replaying the moments we wish we could erase. But here’s the truth: Our God is a God of redemption, of new beginnings, of fresh mercies every morning including this very one.

Today, we talk about Trusting God's Redemption Over Your Past. We’ll explore what it means to step forward in faith instead of shame, to trust in God’s plans instead of our past, and to fully embrace the fresh start He offers us through His love and grace.

Quotables from the episode:

• If stepping into this new year has felt more like stepping into a cloud of uncertainty, I want you to know that you are not alone. More importantly, you are not without hope. Today, we’re going to explore what God’s Word says about new beginnings and how we can release the past to walk confidently into His plans for our future.
• God is in the business of making things new.
• If you’re struggling to let go of past failures, hear this today—God is doing a new thing in your life. Will you embrace it?
• No matter what yesterday held, today is a new day, and His mercies are fresh and waiting for you.
• Practical Tip 1: Release What You Cannot Change
  • Holding onto past regrets won’t change them. Take a moment to pray and surrender those memories to God, repenting where necessary and trusting Him to use even your mistakes for His glory.
• Practical Tip 2: Replace Shame with Truth
  • The enemy often whispers lies of unworthiness and failure, but God calls you redeemed. Meditate on scriptures that remind you of your identity in Christ—because you are loved, valued, and renewed every day.
• Practical Tip 3: Set Your Eyes on the Future, Not the Past
  • In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul encourages us, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal...” Today, commit to focusing on God’s promises for your future. Each new day is a step toward the plans He has for you—plans filled with hope and purpose. Where there is uncertainty, seek God’s will for your future.
• Practical Tip 4: Surround Yourself with Encouragement
  • Fellowship is key. The enemy would love to isolate you, but we were not created to be alone. Whether it’s through Christian friends, a church community, or inspirational books and podcasts, fill your life with voices that affirm your worth and point you toward God’s truth. When you're surrounded by encouragement, the journey to healing and new beginnings becomes much more manageable.
• Practical Tip 5: Start Each Day with a Fresh Perspective
  • Begin every morning by thanking God for a new day and seeking His guidance. A short prayer or a moment of reflection can reset your mindset, reminding you that His mercies are new every day. Consider journaling your thoughts and prayers to track the fresh starts and breakthroughs God is bringing into your life. If you need a resource to start your day in God’s word, reflecting on His promises, I encourage you to pick up a copy of my book Today Is Going to Be a Good Day: 90 Promises From God to Start Your Day Off Right.
• Take a moment now to reflect on these steps. Ask yourself: What past burdens do I need to surrender? Which scriptures will I meditate on to replace shame with truth? Allow God to fill you with hope as you anticipate the new things He’s ready to do in your life.
• Friend, I don’t know what

Christian music artist Emerson Day, a Dove Award–nominated singer-songwriter, shares the unexpected journey that led her from college lacrosse and a future in federal law enforcement to a calling in Christian music. Known for powerful songs like Get Behind Me and This House Won’t Fall, Emerson opens up about obedience, spiritual warfare, and trusting God when the path forward feels uncertain.

In this episode, Emerson reflects on turning down her dream job with the ATF, rediscovering songwriting during a season of waiting, and how faith shaped her music long before success arrived. Her story is a reminder that God wastes nothing—and that obedience often begins with one brave “yes.”

Highlights

• Why Emerson turned down a federal law enforcement career to pursue music

• How a season of waiting shaped her faith and songwriting

• The personal story behind Get Behind Me and spiritual warfare

• Lessons passed down from her grandmother that inspired her lyrics

• How lacrosse and discipline prepared her for life as an artist

• The biblical foundation behind This House Won’t Fall (Matthew 7)

• Why Emerson believes God uses every chapter of our story

• What she hopes listeners experience when they hear her music

Join the Conversation

Have you ever felt God calling you to something unexpected—or uncomfortable?

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Resources & Links

• Get Behind Me – Emerson Day

• This House Won’t Fall – Emerson Day

• Official website: emersondaymusic.com

• Discover more faith-centered podcasts at LifeAudio.com

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Today’s Bible Verse:
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you." — Psalm 32:8

Psalm 32:8 offers a powerful promise of divine direction and care. God doesn’t just command us from a distance—He personally guides, teaches, and counsels us with love. When uncertainty clouds our next step, this verse reminds us that we’re not walking alone.

God’s guidance isn’t harsh or impatient. It’s tender, watchful, and rooted in His desire to lead us toward wisdom and peace. All He asks is our willingness to listen and trust His gentle instruction.

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Meet Today’s Host: Carol Ogle McCracken

️ Listen to more daily devotionals with Carol at Your Daily Bible Verse on LifeAudio

Carol Ogle McCracken is a dynamic Christian speaker, author, and Bible teacher known for her warmth, humor, and transparency. She brings biblical truths to life through real-world stories and relatable experiences—whether navigating alcohol recovery, parenting a child with special needs, or walking through divorce.

Today, she serves as Minister of Discipleship at her local church and shares God’s Word through women's retreats, conferences, and online devotionals. Her book, Wisdom: Where to Find It if You’ve Lost, Forgotten, or Never Had It, was released in 2020 and continues to encourage readers in their pursuit of godly wisdom.

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A Prayer For the New Year by Nicolet Bell

As we step into a new year, change is often unavoidable—new seasons, new responsibilities, and new rhythms. In today’s prayer we reflect on the beautiful tension of who God is: unchanging and steady, yet always at work doing something new.

Reference: Hebrews 10:19-25

Prayer: Father, help us to embrace the new that you want to work in us. Help us to not neglect meeting together, but to encourage one another in love and good works, stirring each other along. Help us to do this even when things are hard, and even when it takes extra time and extra energy. We want to honor you with our words and actions. Help us to believe that you are both steadfast and sure, immovable and unshakable, but ready to do something new in our lives. Help us to be open to it. In Jesus name, amen.

LINKS:

5 Habits of a Praying Mom 

Follow Everyday Prayers @MillionPrayingMoms

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Connect with God — on Abide, a Christian meditation app that provides a biblically grounded place to experience peace and progress in your relationship with Christ. Use this biblical meditation, narrated by Lonein Lara, to center yourself on the truth in God's word. How do you make an impact on others? Meditate on Acts 11:23-24. Allow the music & nature sounds, deep breathing, prayer, and scripture help you connect with God in a new way. 

For a 30 day free trial of our premium ad-free content, your trusted friend for meditation is right here: https://abide.com/peace

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