Press Forward and Upward

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13, KJV).

God wants you to press forward and upward. Paul knew this and told the Christians in Philippi about it. He allowed nothing from his past to hold him back. Unfortunately, there are Christians today who have become prisoners of their past. They’re stuck in their past successes or past failures. The problem is, when you get stuck in your past, you can’t accomplish the will of God for you. You’ll miss out on opportunities in the present. God has made known his will to you. And he wants you to focus on moving forward and upward. Jesus stands before you, calling you forward and upward. Why stay in your past and miss out on today’s blessings? The Word of God says, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). Behold, your life is heavenward! Don’t be distracted by the past and the ungodly affairs of this world. When your eyes are fixed on Jesus, you can’t help but press forward and upward.

Learn from Paul. Forget those things which are behind. Remaining in the past will hinder your progress in the Lord. Today is a new day. Your life must move forward. Each new day brings you closer to meeting Jesus face-to-face. And the best way to prepare to meet the Master is to forget what is behind and press forward. God has placed endless possibilities before you. Don’t waste your time dwelling on what’s behind. Keep the things behind exactly where they belong – behind. Once you do that, you can embrace the joy of saying yes to God’s upward and forward calling. Your past failures are behind you; learn from your mistakes and press forward. Your past successes, too, are behind you; be inspired to press forward.

Confess:

By the grace of God, I am a new creation in Christ. Old things are past, and all things are become new. I let go every hindrance from my past. In the Name of Jesus, I am pressing forward and upward. As I embrace my destiny as a child of God, I shall do exploits unto God’s glory. Amen.

 For further study: Psalm 118:1-24; Hebrews 12:1-2