Phil 3:13 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,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
If we put the above text into proper context, Paul was not speaking of trouble. In fact, he had just listed his many accolades; so the “forgetting” was related to success rather than failure. However, Paul was offering us a key to forward movement. The apostle proposes the ability to forget with obtaining the prize, i.e., we cannot receive the prize of the high calling if we are still clinging to the things of the past.
While I do not put much stock in a calendar year, the common thought is a new beginning. If December 31 and Jan 1 are separated by such terms, then I propose we take advantage of the moment. Let us begin with prayer and fasting. I am calling the church to 31 days of prayer and fasting.
The coming year must be a year of Focus! It is the daily pursuit of The Word, Prayer, and Outreach. Every person is commissioned to teach a Home Bible study, invite new people into their lives, serve each other, and offer our time to the church. While these things have been called for many times over, I am seeing a narrow focus of intent to the “Doing” and not the “hearing.” We must be about our Father’s Business. Whatever good has been accomplished should not inhibit us from seeking lost souls or self-sacrifice. We are thankful for our sanctuary, but the space means very little if there are not baptisms in water and Spirit.
Paul could have laid down his mantle and rested on his accomplishments. He could have declared himself successful and complete, given the many revelations, sermons, and revivals attributed to him. However, Paul did not hold to those things. In fact, he said, “I have not apprehended anything. I am still striving, pressing, pushing toward the Kingdom.” Paul never thought he had earned the right to sit back and let someone else reach the lost. There were never enough merits in his past.
My Focus is two-fold: Preach the Gospel and Disciple the Believer. There are 106,000 Reasons to stay Focused!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole