Forgetting those things behind

For those who have placed their trust in Christ and believed, they are a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV — Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, the past no longer defines the person.

Through this beautiful truth, we are encouraged to seek a closer walk with the Lord daily, pressing forward, because eternal life with Christ Jesus in heaven is the prize!

John 14:3 KJV — And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

In the realization that God, through His salvation uses our past to become a testimony, our present and future are opportunities.

For through His work of freeing us from the prison of the sinful life we’ve walked in previously, He shows how good, how merciful, and full of love He is.

Yet, we are to remember, He is still righteous and holy, thus He calls us to follow Him and leave behind the lusts of the flesh, the ways of the past.

1 Peter 4:2 KJV — That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Praise God, we no longer are slaves to sin and can learn to walk in the newness of Christ daily.

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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13‭-‬14 NKJV

Luke 9:62 KJV — And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Let our hearts and minds be inspired and encouraged by the promises of our Lord and Savior.

Philippians 1:21 KJV — For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for breaking the chains of lust, sin, and death. Lord, thank You that through You we can walk with integrity and truth. Lord, thank You for Your wondrous works and the ways You guide and direct us continually through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus, please hold us in Your Word, that we might not sin against You. Bring it to remembrance, help us to commit it to our hearts, that it becomes part of our thoughts, renewing our mind daily in Your truth. Lord, my life is Yours, You bought and paid such a high price! May I never live unto myself or for my selfish ambition or desires, but rather, be humbly serving You daily, looking forward to the prize. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

Run

I know,
they don’t look like running shoes.

Yet,
as I strap these on,
it is with the understanding,
that the race is about to begin.

No I’m not running the 100,
200, 400, or longer,
it’s the relay.

I am holding the baton,
and each day I strive to pass it on to the children in my life.

Yet as I run I understand that I won’t really know if they take hold or if they drop it.

Because the baton is a life relationship with Christ and the race is towards eternity.

I can not read the hearts of those I wish to inspire.

I can only pray
and run.

For in this race it’s not about scoring the best time,
it’s about following Christ throughout.

I once heard a radio program where the woman speaking said something like:

How fast you run towards Jesus in your daily life often can be measured by who is running beside you.

She went on to speak about how the slower runner,  only putting in a three quarter effort to run towards Jesus will cause the runner beside them to run with the same passion.

But the runner who is giving the race their all inspires those around them to do the same.

I was convicted.

Was I running with everything I had?

No.

But since then I’ve been working,  training, and looking for running partners who are giving it their all.

And I’ve noticed that as my pace picked up others have been running beside me, looking for the encouragement to run the race.

So,
I look to pass the baton by daily encouraging those around me.

I’m strapping on my heels,
giving the race my all.

Because the Apostle Paul put it perfectly.

“…Run in such a way that you may obtain [the prize].” 1 Cor. 9:24