By“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,” — Philippians 3:13 NKJV
Paul is one of the apostles in the early church who was notable for many wondrous works for Christ. He laboured more than all the eleven disciples of Jesus (twelve minus Judas Iscariot). But in his letters, he showed us many of the principles he lived with that helped him to attain the height of divine calling he reached by grace. Today, I’m talking about one of them in Philippians 3:13.
According to Philippians 3:13, Paul said that all the past successes he has had in ministry don’t make him relaxed. Instead, he intentionally decided to forget them and reach forward to the things before him. That’s too simple a principle for a great man like Paul to live. But we all know it worked for him. And since it did, it’ll do for us too, because it’s in the Word of God.
When God created you, He placed an enormous potential in you. That potential is so great that it can make you do things you’ve never dreamed of, all unto the glory of God. But sadly, most people don’t believe in this truth. They see how shallow they are, how little their current resources are, and where they are in life. Then, they discourage themselves from pressing on. That should not be your story as a believer in Christ.
God knows all that you have. He knows what you can do with what you have now, and you may never believe it, even if He tells you. Don’t belittle yourself. Don’t stay relaxed with your past successes, as little or enormous as they are. They are gone and are in your life archives.
It’s time to forget what’s behind you and reach forward to what’s ahead of you. If you used to pray for a few minutes, increase it. If you used to preach three services per week, increase it if God gives you the go-ahead. Your past success can be an enemy to your subsequent success if you’re too conscious of maintaining the norm, system and structure you’ve already built in your life or organisation to help you fulfil your divine purpose. Study hard; develop better systems and keep improving.
Remember that there’s too much in you yet to be unleashed than to relax with what you can do unto the Lord as of today. As you expand, don’t forget to learn how to reschedule yourself and manage your time wisely.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Oh God, thank you for giving me enormous potential since I was born. I pray that You’ll open up the dimension of Your sweet Spirit in me that urges me never to relax with my past successes but to press on to do more of what You’ve called me to do by grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 292
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