Keep Going "Froward!"

Keep Going "Froward!"

Philippians 3: ¹² I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself. ¹³ Of course, my friends, I really do not think that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. ¹⁴ So I run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above.

 

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Wearing newish shoes was special to me because it happened once a year. This pair was cloth with rubber soles. I accidentally stepped in some dog poop. It got all over the shoes. I tried wiping the shoe on the grass to no avail. The stench wreaked the entire day at school, so much so that it brought unwanted attention to me.

 

• I was constantly reminded about my mistake.
• I was upset that my newish shoes were ruined and I had to wait a whole year for another pair.
• I was embarrassed because I distracted other people with my problem.

 

Paul gives everyone a great suggestion. “Keep striving to win the prize for which CHRIST JESUS has already won…” He then states he is not perfect, which implies that he made mistakes and will continue to make mistakes. He gives a solution for making mistakes. “Reach what is ahead.”

 

My Observations

• The enemy constantly reminds me of my mistakes, BUT GOD reminds me HE has forgiven me.
• I replay mistakes over and over with regret, BUT GOD shows me I am still on HIS path.
• Embarrassment plagued my thoughts BUT GOD gave me purpose which wiped away my shame.

 

“GOD’s call through CHRIST to life above” is the one and only true goal. I mean, all other goals I set for myself will be riddled with problems and failures. Like stepping in dog poop, these issues remind me that things could be better or “new” or “different.” I then complain to GOD which takes me off HIS path.

 

Fortunately GOD picks me up and places me back on HIS path. HE bends down and washes my feet, making everything new. Old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. I am glad GOD is the goal and HE allows me to make mistakes because HE can clean up any mess and make me new.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer think he is perfect?
• What does perfection look like in your mind?
• Have you ever been disappointed with yourself for falling or failure?
• Will you be forgiven through CHRIST JESUS so you can run straight towards HIS purpose and allow HIM to wipe the sticky mess off your feet today?

Being Conceited

2 Samuel 24: Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

² So the king said to Joab and the army commanders^[a] with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

³ But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

⁴ The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

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¹⁵ So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. 

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“They won’t cut us!” I rationalized to my group.  We are the technology group, “They need us” I said to my team. As I walked the halls, I didn’t feel worried at all; in fact I started getting the papers together to grow my team from groups who would have large cuts.

Of course when the dust settled, twenty five percent of my team was gone and we had to work harder with fewer people. Morale was in the dumps and I had to explain how life was going to be “better.”

• When I think I can’t be touched, I am blind.
• When I think I can’t be taken down, I am on my way out.
• When I think I can’t be beat, I am already defeated.

David wanted to see how powerful he had become for the simple purpose of feeding his ego. I too had my ego fed as I walked around, having a team who could cater to my every whim. It actually felt good to strive to get to the top and actually reaching it. The problem was I thought the title was the destination.

• GOD raises me up for HIS purpose not my ego.
• GOD places me above what I can handle and wants me to take my responsibility seriously.
• GOD brings me groups of people to point to HIM rather than pointing to myself.

GOD doesn’t need another noisy person ranting about themselves. HE hates the arrogant and confuses their words. GOD wants me to rely on HIS power, HIS might and HIS everlasting love. HE doesn’t want me cowering in the corner. HE wants me to bravely move forward trusting that HE knows what HE is doing.

• Are you counting your cash?
• Are you comparing yourself to your neighbors or other people?
• Can you trust GOD enough to allow HIM to get the credit for your accomplishments?

Time to “Break Out!”

Genesis 38: ²⁷ When the time came for her to give birth, there were twin boys in her womb. ²⁸ As she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it on his wrist and said, “This one came out first.”²⁹ But when he drew back his hand, his brother came out, and she said, “So this is how you have broken out!” And he was named Perez.

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Sitting at my desk I broke out a book trying to teach myself the skill I was hired for.  Sneers of disappointment came from my supervisor as I fumbled my assignments. I spent hours teaching myself skills. Soon I learned more than my boss, in fact I learned more than most in the department. It took some time but it was finally my time to “break out!”

• It takes perseverance to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes steadfast drive to get to the point of breaking out.
• It takes determination to get to the point of breaking out.

Perez literally means “Breaking out!” He was determined to be first and his determination gave him a will to succeed. What about obstacles in life? Won’t they cause me to stumble and possibly fail? Yes, but obstacles don’t mean I should give up, it means persevere with GOD.

• When I’m on the same side with GOD, I cannot fail.
• When I include GOD in my plans, I cannot fail.
• When I ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do” I cannot fail.

GOD is the only one who can make plans succeed.  HE gives me strength to keep my drive. He gives me faith to keep my determination. HE gives me protection to keep moving ahead.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Have you written your obstacles down and asked GOD about them?
• Can you persevere to reach the point where you will break out?
• Won’t you let GOD continue to prepare you for the greatness HE has for you?