"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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13-14
Sunday night Pastor Vander Hart preached a wonderful message on Philippians 3:13-14. He had four points that were both an Convicting and encouraging to me that I thought I would share!
I. Forget your past sins!
Heb. 11:15, "And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned."
If we focus on our past sin it will soon lose its shameful, and awfulness about it. It will soon start to being a thrill into our heart again. Don't let your mind dwell on those sins of the past! Sin should never lose it's awfulness. God hates sin and does not want us to think about those past sins.
II. Forget your past enemies!
The ungodly attitude is to say, "I deserve an apology before I will talk to that person." What about the verse in the Bible that says forgive our debtors? No matter if we get an apology we still need to have that forgiving spirit. We are to act as if nothing ever happened, that is if we are not the offender. Holding things against people will only hurt you and your relationship with God. By choosing to do this we are just driving the Lord Jesus Christ away from us. Don't expect to have a refreshing time in your devotions when you are holding a grudge towards those around. What we owe Christ is huge, then why can't we just forgive? Don't harbor that old grudge. Forget and forgive!
III. Forget your past defeats!
We all have been defeated at sometime or another, but it should not keep us from serving God. Many people think if I only was at the top of the mountain I would grow the best. But in reality we grow more spiritually when we are in the mist of the valley. Don't let your past failures bring you down to the point that you cannot serve God.
IV. Forget your past Victories!
Christ has promised new victories every single day. So why would we want to look back on those old victories when we have news ones to look forward to. Your ministry might change but it still has victories to be won. Keep moving forward and don't look back! God has brought you and I this far and He's not going to to stop now. Be willing to be led by the Spirit and ask Him to lead in your prayer life, your devotions, and your daily life! "and 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." Philippians 3:14
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