Godly Heroes Look to Jesus: Don't Look Back - Living Free - January 7
Godly Heroes Look to Jesus: Don't Look Back
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Philippians 3:12-14 NLT
Thoughts for Today
The key to running the Christian race is to keep our focus on Jesus. Our primary competition in this race is the devil, and he strives to distract us. He loves to keep us focused on the past to distract us from Jesus and his plan for the future. Our enemy tries to make us focus on past hurts. Past failures. He overwhelms us with condemnation over past sin (sin Jesus has forgiven but we refuse to let go).
In today's scripture the apostle Paul says he forgets the past and looks forward to what lies ahead, pressing forward to all Jesus has for him, keeping his eyes on Jesus.
Consider this …
Is there something in your past that is affecting your present and perhaps hurting relationships with others . . . and especially with Jesus? Preventing you from moving on toward Jesus, accomplishing his purpose for your life?
When we have sinned, we need to seek and receive Jesus' forgiveness, do what we can to make things right with whomever we have wronged, and then learn from it and move on, keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Many things in our past can keep us from moving forward. Unforgiveness. Bitterness. Greed. Unhealthy relationships. Condemnation. And a multitude of other issues. Sometimes we even fix our eyes on a past success and become so focused on that, we don't move ahead.
We have a choice . . . we can choose to be controlled by such things. Or we can set them aside and move on . . . eyes always on Jesus. Once we make that choice, Jesus will make it possible.
Prayer
Father, I know I have allowed myself to be distracted. I've let that thing in the past shape my present. Please forgive me. Help me overcome, receive your forgiveness, and once again fix my eyes on Jesus. Help me stop looking back and begin looking ahead toward him and his plan.
In Jesus' name ...
These thoughts were drawn from … Godly Heroes: A Small Group Study of Hebrews 11 by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. This guide presents a step-by-step study of Hebrews 11. It also features the profile of the characteristics of Godly heroes, written in language that relates to today's living. In this guide you will find definitions, characteristics and examples of the heroes' faith life. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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