Here is a fresh new year with no mistakes in it. That does not mean we won’t make any missteps or have problems this year. But we don’t have to carry our past blunders forward.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
It is not that we should never remember the past. We should not be stuck in it by focusing on past failures. You cannot successfully move forward with your eyes glued to the rear-view-mirror. (Front of Bulletin)
Luke 9:59;61-62 Then Jesus said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go…”
61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go…”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (fit = ready for use)
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
A promise has been given to every born-again child of God. Perhaps you feel like every door of opportunity has been closed and locked? That is all in the past. Jesus gave us the keys to unlock opportunities by what we choose to say.
Matthew 16:19 Jesus said, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Amplified Version “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”
Jesus is not promising we will never have another problem. He has promised us peace during our troubles because He Is our Deliverer.
John 16:33 Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Tribulation: pressure (what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that “hems someone in;” especially internal pressure that causes someone to feel confined (restricted, “without options”); persecution, affliction, distress, anguish, or trouble.
You are not the defeated trying to gain victory. You are the overcomer and Satin is trying to steal the victory from you that Christ has already gained.
1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. (What we choose to believe.)
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the Word of reconciliation. (Reconcile: decisively changing “down to an exact point,” as when two parties reconcile when coming to the same position; to exchange.) Agree with God!
20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
This term “might become” means to emerge, become, transitioning from one point, realm, or condition to another. It is the gift of the new birth.
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (Press on: aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch; to hunt down; to pursue with all haste; earnestly desiring to apprehend.)
Let this year’s focus be on apprehending everything God says in His Word is ours. Don’t settle for the lies of Satan. Press on!
