Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV) “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.”
It’s time to step up to a higher level (the upward call of God in Christ Jesus) – and with the stepping up, there’s a stepping into new things that God has had prepared (things which are ahead). The necessary thing in moving forward and stepping into the new, is love (loving without fear or restraint (hesitation)), and letting go of old things.
I John 4:18 (NKJV) “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”
God wants our love walk to be sound, and our focus to be set. He does not want us fearful about anything, or distracted by things in the past. In reaching forward to things which were ahead of him, the Apostle Paul said “there’s one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind”.
The “stepping up” happens as we forgive the wrongs that have been done to us and let go of the hurt that causes us to be fearful; and as we give our undivided attention to God in the renewing of our mind.
Mark 11:25-26 (NKJV) “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Ephesians 4:21-24 (NKJV) “if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
We can not approach this new thing as if it is something we have already experienced before, because we have not. This new thing is happening at a higher level, which explains why there is a “stepping up”. Its time to forget the former things and HEAR the voice and instruction of the Lord concerning this NEW THING that He is doing. If we stay attentive, we won’t miss out. If we approach it like its something common, or choose to cherish something in the past more than what’s to come, we will be unprepared and ultimately miss out.
Luke 9:62 (NKJV) “But Jesus said to him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
While moving forward, the distraction of former things has to be avoided, while our focus is on being renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Isaiah 43:18 (NKJV) “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Revelation 21:5 (NKJV) “Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”“
I encourage you today, to “step up” and do what’s necessary in moving forward into the NEW that God has prepared for you to “step into”!
READY® TM 