CBBC Counseling Blog submitted by Minister Dr. Rosalyn H. Berry
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
"FORGETTING, REACHING, and PRESSING"
Philippians 3:13-14
I count not myself to have apprehended: but 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.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is the time we usually make new resolutions for the year but rarely get the mission accomplished. Why is that? I believe we abort the mission because we fail to go through the process that is found in Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
In the earlier part of Philippians 3, Paul speaks about his prior accomplishments in the flesh. They were superb accomplishments - Accomplishments that would have put him on the list of Who’s Who today. But the things that were great worldly accomplishments for him, he gladly traded for a goal even greater - the prize God offers because of what Christ did for us on the cross – Salvation! He went through the process of Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
FORGETTING: Paul removed from the forefront of his mind his rich heritage; top notch education; and zeal to uphold his righteousness of the law. Even though those things were not necessarily bad he removed them from the forefront because he no longer identified with that life. What do you need remove from the forefront of your mind that is no longer a part of your new life? What do you need to stop dwelling on from your past that hinders you in your new life? Ask the Lord to renew your mind.
REACHING: Paul saw before him the opportunity to know Christ Jesus through the righteousness of God through faith. This revelation offers life eternal! Nothing in his past accomplishments can compare to such an opportunity. So he stretched forth, strained, and struggled to move from his past accomplishments to what is at hand now. This requires a made up mind. Have you truly made up your mind to seize the opportunity God has placed before you? Are you willing to step out on faith in God and not faith in your flesh or past accomplishments? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and help your unbelief.
PRESSING: Paul pursued a goal that far exceeds any worldly recognition he could have gotten. He knew he had not come anywhere near to the attainment of this high calling. With this opportunity he can have an intimate relationship with God, and experience the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His suffering. And after all of that he gains the ultimate prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! Is your goal today to pursue the things of God for your life? Do you spend more time in pursuing fleshly accomplishments over spiritual accomplishments? Ask the Lord to help you align your will with His will.
Let’s align our resolutions with the will of God for 2014! The mission is guaranteed to be accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord by the power of the Holy Ghost! AMEN
FROM THE HEART OF GOD
"FORGETTING, REACHING, and PRESSING"
Philippians 3:13-14
I count not myself to have apprehended: but 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.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This is the time we usually make new resolutions for the year but rarely get the mission accomplished. Why is that? I believe we abort the mission because we fail to go through the process that is found in Philippians 3:13-14 - Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
In the earlier part of Philippians 3, Paul speaks about his prior accomplishments in the flesh. They were superb accomplishments - Accomplishments that would have put him on the list of Who’s Who today. But the things that were great worldly accomplishments for him, he gladly traded for a goal even greater - the prize God offers because of what Christ did for us on the cross – Salvation! He went through the process of Forgetting, Reaching, and Pressing.
FORGETTING: Paul removed from the forefront of his mind his rich heritage; top notch education; and zeal to uphold his righteousness of the law. Even though those things were not necessarily bad he removed them from the forefront because he no longer identified with that life. What do you need remove from the forefront of your mind that is no longer a part of your new life? What do you need to stop dwelling on from your past that hinders you in your new life? Ask the Lord to renew your mind.
REACHING: Paul saw before him the opportunity to know Christ Jesus through the righteousness of God through faith. This revelation offers life eternal! Nothing in his past accomplishments can compare to such an opportunity. So he stretched forth, strained, and struggled to move from his past accomplishments to what is at hand now. This requires a made up mind. Have you truly made up your mind to seize the opportunity God has placed before you? Are you willing to step out on faith in God and not faith in your flesh or past accomplishments? Ask the Lord to increase your faith and help your unbelief.
PRESSING: Paul pursued a goal that far exceeds any worldly recognition he could have gotten. He knew he had not come anywhere near to the attainment of this high calling. With this opportunity he can have an intimate relationship with God, and experience the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His suffering. And after all of that he gains the ultimate prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus! Is your goal today to pursue the things of God for your life? Do you spend more time in pursuing fleshly accomplishments over spiritual accomplishments? Ask the Lord to help you align your will with His will.
Let’s align our resolutions with the will of God for 2014! The mission is guaranteed to be accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord by the power of the Holy Ghost! AMEN
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