Bible League: Living His Word 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.— Philippians 3:13 NLT Forgetting the past is a powerful act of faith. It requires surrendering the baggage of guilt and shame at the foot of the cross, trusting that God's grace is sufficient to cover our shortcomings. The past often holds us captive, haunting our thoughts and hindering our progress. However, the Apostle Paul urges us to take deliberate steps towards freedom by entrusting our past to a God who redeems, forgives, and transforms. The Bible teaches us that there is a godly sorrow that leads to repentance and to liberty to live a godly life full of joy and peace, but then there is also a worldly sorrow that leads to death. Often, we quite easily believe that we are forgiven through Christ, and we are quick to forgive others too, but we have not forgiven ourselves. Past regrets and thoughts of unworthiness and failures keep us in a prison of guilt and shame, blinding us from the glorious promise of a new day just ahead. The focal point of Paul's exhortation is the intentional act of forgetting the past. Paul challenges us to break free from the chains that tether us to yesterday's sorrows and instead fix our gaze on the promise of a new day. We will never be able to progress into God's purposes and plans for our lives when we cling on to guilt and shame of our past failures. The enemy thrives in such an atmosphere and keeps us from stepping into our divine destiny. God chooses to work mightily only through those who have received His forgiveness and have broken free from the shackles of guilt of shame. What if the apostle Paul had refused to let go of the guilt of his past and wallowed in his shame after his divine encounter with the Lord on the Damascus road? We would perhaps have no epistles written by Paul today! What if Peter had remained in his chains of guilt after denying the Lord three times? He would perhaps not have been the keynote speaker on the day of Pentecost! And Peter's message was simple. "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." Peter had received forgiveness from the Lord and broken free from the shackles of guilt and shame; therefore, he was able to boldly proclaim the Gospel message. Are you free from your shackles yet? More often than not, it is the chains of unforgiveness, guilt, shame, and a feeling of unworthiness that keep people in their addictions and sinful habits. I repeat, forgiving ourselves is a very powerful act of faith. As we surrender our past and choose to move forward, we open ourselves to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. The process of becoming more Christ-like requires intentional effort, cooperation with God's refining fire, and a willingness to embrace change. It is a journey marked by continuous renewal and growth, as we are molded into vessels fit for the Master's use. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." The guilt and shame of the past can keep us from having the "confidence" to approach God with our prayers. As we release the burdens of yesterday, we step into the freedom and hope found in Christ Jesus, and we actively participate in the transformation into Christ-likeness. I encourage you today to let go and be free to serve your Lord whom you love so much. By Santosh Chandran, Bible League International staff, New Zealand Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingDeuteronomy 17, 18, 19 Deuteronomy 17 -- Appointment of Judges, Courts and Kings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 18 -- Offerings for Priests; Spells and Mediums Forbidden NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Deuteronomy 19 -- Cities of Refuge; More than One Witness Required NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Mark 14:1-25 Mark 14 -- Jesus Anointed; Last Supper; Gethsemane; Judas Betrays Jesus; Jesus before the Sanhedrin, disowned by Peter NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Search for the LORD and for his strength;continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given. Insight The psalmist suggested a valuable way to find God—become familiar with the way he has helped his people in the past. The Bible records the history of God's people. In searching its pages we will discover a loving God who is waiting for us to find him. Challenge If God seems far away, persist in your search for him. God rewards those who sincerely look for him. Jesus promised, “Seek and you will find” (Matt. 7:7). Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 1 Samuel 30:13 To whom belongest thou?No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight his battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. "To whom belongest thou?" Reader, let me assist you in your response. Have you been "born again"? If you have, you belong to Christ, but without the new birth you cannot be his. In whom do you trust? For those who believe in Jesus are the sons of God. Whose work are you doing? You are sure to serve your master, for he whom you serve is thereby owned to be your lord. What company do you keep? If you belong to Jesus, you will fraternize with those who wear the livery of the cross. "Birds of a feather flock together." What is your conversation? Is it heavenly or is it earthly? What have you learned of your Master?--for servants learn much from their masters to whom they are apprenticed. If you have served your time with Jesus, it will be said of you, as it was of Peter and John, "They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." We press the question, "To whom belongest thou?" Answer honestly before you give sleep to your eyes. If you are not Christ's you are in a hard service--Run away from your cruel master! Enter into the service of the Lord of Love, and you shall enjoy a life of blessedness. If you are Christ's let me advise you to do four things. You belong to Jesus--obey him; let his word be your law; let his wish be your will. You belong to the Beloved, then love him; let your heart embrace him; let your whole soul be filled with him. You belong to the Son of God, then trust him; rest nowhere but on him. You belong to the King of kings, then be decided for him. Thus, without your being branded upon the brow, all will know to whom you belong. Daily Light on the Daily Path 1 John 3:22 and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Romans 8:8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Psalm 149:4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation. 1 Peter 2:19,20 For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. • For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God. 1 Peter 3:4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. Psalm 50:23 "He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God." Psalm 69:30,31 I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. • And it will please the LORD better than an ox Or a young bull with horns and hoofs. Romans 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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