Fellowship Baptist Church
  • Home
    • Our Mission
  • Articles
    • Daily Devotions
    • Bible Study
    • Couples
    • Teens
    • Leadership
    • Word of the Week
  • Church Ministries
    • Sunday Series
    • Wednesday Digging Deeper Bible Study
    • Sunday School's Purpose
    • Ladies Sunday School Classes
    • Discipleship Sunday School Class
    • Children's Sunday School Class
    • Morning Meditation's (Morning Devotional)
    • Music Ministry
    • Bible Institute
    • Outreach Ministry
  • Contact
  • Doctrinal Statement
  • How to Become a Christian
  • Now That I'm a Christian, What Next?

Times of refreshing

January 01st, 2019

1/1/2019

0 Comments

 
             A Fresh Start to a New Year
 
Philippians 3:12-14, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 
New Year's Day marks a new beginning. Undoubtedly, you've made a list of things you'd like to do this year that you didn't do last year. If you’re like me setting goals is usually not the problem. In fact, most of us are good at it. Reaching our goals, however, is a different story. How often do we promise to do something and then let it slide into oblivion?
 
Desire is the driving force of a man's soul. A man will live for the thing he desires. Paul understood that the Lord Jesus wanted to use him and he consistently pursued the Lord and His will for his life. Apprehended means to take eagerly, seize, possess, over take. Paul had a dissatisfaction with being average or resting in what he had already done. “God’s got a purpose for your life!” Paul knew that the Lord had a purpose for his life and he was actively and consistently pursuing that purpose. The Lord Jesus has saved us to use us and be glorified through us. Are you seeking to apprehend that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold of you? In eternity, you will never regret that you served the Lord faithfully!
 
Paul’s determination is seen in the words, this one thing I do. He was serious about not allowing the past to hinder his present. One of the Christians biggest problems, it is right here—dwelling on the past. Paul wasted no time on the past. He was running the race for Christ. Paul would not focus on the past. He was looking ahead and determined to stay focused on Christ. You cannot run a race while looking backward. Life is full of ups and downs; times of encouragement and times of discouragement. Everyone can look back on their lives and wish that they could do some things over, things that they wish they could change, and things that they regret that ever happened. Too many Christians are still stuck in the past. We cannot be successful nor victorious in the Christian life if we are focused on the failures, disappointments, and heartaches.
 
The words reaching forth pictures a runner stretching out and reaching forward to the finish line. Paul was not just getting by; he was putting his all into the race. Paul’s goal in life was to accomplish the purpose for which the Lord Jesus had saved him.
 
Questions to Consider:
  • What is it that you need to move on from?
  • Is there anything that is hindering you from being faithful to the Lord Jesus and His work?
  • Do you have the right priorities?
  • Have you been distracted and discouraged?
  • Have you lost focus and faithfulness?
 
Points to Ponder:
  • Forget the mistakes and failures of your past and look ahead to the future.
  • Use this New Year's holiday as the starting point of a lifetime of service for Christ.
  • This year, your resolutions may actually be fulfilled.
  • Consider using the website as your source for daily devotions
 
Prayer: Father, I dedicate myself to You anew. Cleanse me and strengthen me. Guide me, guard me, and give me wisdom to navigate the challenges that will arise. Fill me with the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Bear fruit that remains through me and our church family. Help me to trust You in, for all things. Help me to rightly steward my mind, my marriage, my money, and my ministry in view of standing before You and giving account one day soon. In Jesus name, Amen.
 
 
If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others:    
        www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord.  His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship.

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    April 2017
    March 2017

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • Our Mission
  • Articles
    • Daily Devotions
    • Bible Study
    • Couples
    • Teens
    • Leadership
    • Word of the Week
  • Church Ministries
    • Sunday Series
    • Wednesday Digging Deeper Bible Study
    • Sunday School's Purpose
    • Ladies Sunday School Classes
    • Discipleship Sunday School Class
    • Children's Sunday School Class
    • Morning Meditation's (Morning Devotional)
    • Music Ministry
    • Bible Institute
    • Outreach Ministry
  • Contact
  • Doctrinal Statement
  • How to Become a Christian
  • Now That I'm a Christian, What Next?