Today I was needing some confirmation from the Lord and in His kindness He led me to Philippians 3:13-16.
What great advice our brother Paul shared in Philippians!
Philippians 3:16Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. (Amplified Version)
When we walk with Jesus and pass through valleys and climb mountains we (hopefully) ATTAIN wisdom on our journey. It takes the valleys and mountain peaks to bring a sense of maturity in our lives. 
I can’t help but think of a WONDERFUL book by Hannah Hurnard: Hinds’ Feet on High Places. If you haven’t had the privilege of reading this awesome allegory, please find a copy! I wrote a post back in 2008 concerning this book if you’re interested (click HERE).
Sorry, the rabbit trail syndrome wants to pull me off track …
How many of us have learned great lessons from the Lord, yet due to pain from past experiences have placed those lessons on a hidden shelf — deep within our guarded hearts? I am somewhat guilty of this and realized this today.
Each of us should walk in what we have already learned. We should share and allow the Lord to use those lessons to touch the lives of others.
Are any of us “perfect” or complete in our lessons? NO.
Philippians 3:13-14Brothers 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. (NIV)
Verse 13 really grabbed my attention: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL …
Ok Beth — forget how things seemed to go SOUTH before. Forget areas where I felt I had failed. Forget forget FORGET!
Was it a mistake that Paul used the words STRAIN and PRESS? No, I don’t think so. God knew we would need the encouragement to STRAIN toward what was ahead of us. Pressing against the world. Pressing against our flesh. Pressing against the lies of the enemy.
Do you still look over your shoulder to the past? Do you still do the “what if” game? Follow Paul’s instructions and forget what is behind and strain/press toward the goal.
God has a plan for you. He has a purpose for your life!
Excellent word, and I believe
it. I am pressing in daily for
more of the Lord and His good
plans and purposes for mine
and my family's lives.
Very good! We are going to PRESS through, aren't we girl?
Oh, my…ouch. I think I do have a tendency to look over my shoulder at the past and it colors my "straining" forward. Thank you for your words of encouragment.
It is sad how our past seems to keep getting in our way sometimes. I think it is important that we see that Paul was speaking of the sufferings that he suffered for Christ and the good things that he tried to accomplish for God on his own as what he wanted to to forget. Both result in self righteousness or self pity. He wanted to be known and seen as "in Christ" and nothing else!
I think that is the same for all of us when our past gets in the way, it is usually because we are remembering our sufferings or our own righteous acts. They move us into self righteousness or self pity which results in pride. I think it is only when we are willing to lose ourself "in Christ" that we will be able to forget those things behind us.
There is one time in the Scripture that I can remember that Paul tells us to remember our past. It is in Ephesians, chapter 2. He tells us to remember that we Gentiles used to be without Christ and without hope and without God. But now in Christ, we who were far away are brought near by the blood of Jesus and He is now our peace and our access to God. If we remember back far enough to recognize that before we were found in Christ, we had no access to God at all and now He has made us "one" with Him, humility arises and Christ is revealed in our lives. That is the goal that I believe Paul was speaking of and that is truly the purpose for our life.
Forget and Remember! Seems like a contradiction. But really it's not. It is the way to truly "Live!"
Sorry my comment is so long, I just got on a roll thinking about the wisdom of your post and how important it is to know if we are going to experience the Life that Jesus bought and paid for us to Live. 🙂
Hope you have a wonderful week Beth!!
Yes we need to strain and press forward. And while we're in Philippians, let's not forget to practice too. Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
To be good at anything…we have to practice. Or…practice makes perfect.
Great post Beth. A woman's bible study I go to is starting in Philippians tomorrow. This will be good to take to it. Thanks for letting the Holy Spirit direct you to help and encourage others.
God bless you.
Good word…this is where God has me for 2011 pressing forward, settling the past and enjoying today and leaving the future in His hands
Beautiful post. I long to keep my eyes looking forward. I waste so much time reflecting on the past. I am looking ahead!
Good word!
Your posts are as inspirational as always!
Have a blessed Thursday!
B xx
Great post, Beth!! I too sometimes look "over my shoulder", knowing full well I shouldn't!
That is definitely not what God wants me to do!
~Beth
Thanks for sharing this Beth. I think Paul was purposeful in using strain and press because sometimes that just what I find myself doing constantly in certain areas. It's hard to shake the past but Paul lets us know that it is possible. Blessings to you.
Press forward is what I am doing Beth. Needed this now.
oh how cool this was my study today!
I love that we are given permission to look forward and strain!!
It says there will be more battles and you really shouldn't worry in fact DON'T look at the ones you felt defeated you…because We HAVE VICTORY IN CHRIST!!!