Wednesday, January 8, 2014

12/30/13

The Apostle Paul wrote these most compelling and relevant words for those of us who are on the threshold of a New Year 2014:  In Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  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.”

The passing of another year on the calendar reminds us to put the past behind us and look forward to the days ahead.  Paul hunted Christians in his younger days, to both imprison and execute them. But, his sins, which were many… were covered by the blood of Jesus.  So, out of love and gratitude for the grace of God, Paul was broken, repentant, baptized and repurposed.  He put his past behind him, became the greatest missionary of all time and authored much of the New Testament.  Paul knew that God does not lock any of us into our past failures.  When God forgives our sins, he buries them in the depths of the deepest sea and He posts a sign… ‘No Fishing!’  Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

So what disappointments & discouragements, sins & shortcomings, fears & failures are you focused on at this year’s end?  With the beginning of a new calendar year, you can begin again and do what Proverbs counsels: “Fall down seven times and rise up yet again.”  God is not concerned about your past.  With Him you have only a present and a future.  So press on, take hold, forget what is behind, strain toward what is ahead… press on toward the goal to win the prize!

Blessings,
Pastor Ken

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