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 Matthew 5:43 Thou shalt love thy neighbour."Love thy neighbour." Perhaps he rolls in riches, and thou art poor, and living in thy little cot side-by-side with his lordly mansion; thou seest every day his estates, his fine linen, and his sumptuous banquets; God has given him these gifts, covet not his wealth, and think no hard thoughts concerning him. Be content with thine own lot, if thou canst not better it, but do not look upon thy neighbour, and wish that he were as thyself. Love him, and then thou wilt not envy him. Perhaps, on the other hand, thou art rich, and near thee reside the poor. Do not scorn to call them neighbour. Own that thou art bound to love them. The world calls them thy inferiors. In what are they inferior? They are far more thine equals than thine inferiors, for "God hath made of one blood all people that dwell upon the face of the earth." It is thy coat which is better than theirs, but thou art by no means better than they. They are men, and what art thou more than that? Take heed that thou love thy neighbour even though he be in rags, or sunken in the depths of poverty. But, perhaps, you say, "I cannot love my neighbours, because for all I do they return ingratitude and contempt." So much the more room for the heroism of love. Wouldst thou be a feather-bed warrior, instead of bearing the rough fight of love? He who dares the most, shall win the most; and if rough be thy path of love, tread it boldly, still loving thy neighbours through thick and thin. Heap coals of fire on their heads, and if they be hard to please, seek not to please them, but to please thy Master; and remember if they spurn thy love, thy Master hath not spurned it, and thy deed is as acceptable to him as if it had been acceptable to them. Love thy neighbour, for in so doing thou art following the footsteps of Christ. Daily Light on the Daily Path Numbers 6:25,26 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; • The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.'John 1:18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, Psalm 31:16,17 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your lovingkindness. • Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol. Psalm 30:7 O LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed. Psalm 89:15 How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O LORD, they walk in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Matthew 14:27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 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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