As you step out today, here’s a reminder from God’s word to you from Philippians 3:12-14 [NIV]
12. “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, ( or that I have already reached perfection), but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
13. 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,
14. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
It’s the start of the Newyear, and most of us came into it with high expectations, energy, drive, determination and commitment to make some, if not all, our goals realisable and achievable. And already not even the end of January and you have probably already started feeling like this ‘goals thing’ ( goals relating to your career, business, health, family, ministry, relationships, education, etc.) is looking like an unachievable feat.
And the feeling of defeat and thoughts of giving up is starting to set in because the devil ( who the Bible refers to as the accuser of believers, Revelation 12:10) had begun feeding you lies. That this was the same way you got excited about 2017 and even the year before and yet, you never accomplished those goals.
Today’s key verse is an excellent source of encouragement from Apostle Paul to let you and me know that it is important to forget what is behind us and to keep focused on our goals no matter how long it takes.
Apostle Paul’s just like us expresses his goals in Philippians 3:10 “I want to know Christ–yes, to know and experience the mighty power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
But Apostle Paul was quick to remind the believers in Philippians that he was yet to achieve these goals or even arrived at the perfection of these goals. But instead was on a pursuit to attaining these goals by letting go of the past and what was behind him and focusing his attention on the prize that comes with achieving his goals!
Today’s key verses are also a powerful reminder that as God’s children the only option we have is to keep on pressing on towards our goals no matter how many times we have missed the deadlines we gave ourselves. If God doesn’t give up or quit on you, why then give the devil a chance to do that to you?. Think about it.
Therefore, as you go about your daily business and activities, be encouraged with this truth from God’s word to you.
Forget the errors and mistakes of the past, forget the things in years gone past that did not work out as planned. Block your ears from hearing or listening to the lies of the devil. Just like Apostle Paul, be deliberate.
Keep focused on the prize and keep pushing yourself to do things each day that helps you achieve your goals. If you missed doing something connected to your goals yesterday, please don’t quit.Go back to it, push yourself to do it no matter how hard. In pursuing your goals, remember you are not alone. You’ve got the Holyspirit as your helper, so ask Him for His grace and help today.
Remember, you can do all things through Christ Jesus that strengthens you. You will finish strong in Jesus Name!
Do have a blessed and fruitful day!
God bless you!
