Forgetting Those Things That Are Behind

Phil. 3:13-14

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [a]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

We have made it to the last day of the year. God has truly blessed, protected, and covered us. I woke up yesterday with a song, You Covered Me, by Donald Lawrence, featuring Hezekiah Walker. It talks about how we could have lost our minds or wanted to give up. But by the grace of God, He covered us. God covered us through trials, tribulations, and attacks on our bodies, minds, ministries, and families. God brought us through it all. Millions didn't make it to this day, but God's grace has brought us to this point.

In Phil. 3, Paul is warning the people of Judaizers - Jewish Christians that believed that the Gentiles had to follow the old Jewish laws of the Old Testament to be saved, especially circumcision. Paul states that conversion was not based on all that he had accomplished or his credentials. It was because of the coming of a Savior, Jesus Christ, his crucifixion, and resurrection. It wasn't because of who he was or what he had done.

All that Paul gained, he counted it as loss for Christ Jesus. He didn't boast in his righteousness but the righteousness of Christ which is from God by faith. It was nothing to be compared to the greatness of knowing Christ. He wanted to forget the past things - his persecuting the church and look ahead to what was before him.

We all have things that we need to forget or put behind us. The year of 2022 was filled wth good and things that we may want to just put behind us. They are all working for our good but we do not need to get stuck in the past. Yes, we may not have gotten all things accomplished that we set out to do and we may have gotten off track, but God is able to use all the setbacks as set ups for what is ahead of us.

Let us not dwell on the past but grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus and walk closer to Him. We are getting ready to step into a new beginning, a new year. We are "pressing toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." We are looking forward to a "fuller and more meaningful life because of our hope in Christ". (Life Application Bible)

Be blessed.

 For Unto Us a Child Is Born

Isaiah 9:6-7

6) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

7) Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.  The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this."

It is Christmas time again and we often hear this scripture repeated.  Jesus is the child that was to be born, the Son of God.  He was born of a virgin, Mary, in a manager.  Quite different than what the Jews expected from the coming King.  Nevertheless, He was born meek and lowly in a manger.  Yet, He was the Lord of Glory, God in the flesh.  

It was foretold in Isaiah that He would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  He is the one with all wisdom, able to give you wise counsel and steer you in the right direction.  He is Almighty!! He is the Everlasting Father, there is no end to His reign and He is indeed a loving Father.  He has no beginning or ending, He is God.  

He is God and the God of Peace.  Heb. 13:20 states "20 Now may the God of peace—who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21 may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.  All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.  He is peace and can give you the peace that passes all understanding. You will not be able to understand why you have peace in the midst of your situation or circumstance.  He will equip you with all that you need to do His will.

He is the King of the Kingdom of God (Heaven) and we are His subjects.  Of His rule and government will be no end, it is eternal.  He was born in the lineage of David and will reign on the throne forever.  He is God and yet came through the line of David to fulfill this prophecy.  

It is only the Lord Almighty that will be able to accomplish this.  He has come and will come again.  The government of God is on His shoulders, He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  We must be ready to meet Him and be caught with Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  

May God bless you this Christmas season.  Remember that Christmas is about Christ, the child that was born to bring forgiveness and salvation to all mankind.  He is all that you need.  

Merry Christmas. 

 God Is My Salvation

It is December and we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.  Webster defines salvation as preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.  In the Old Testament the word used often for salvation was a Hebrew word,"yasa [[;v"y] (to save, help in distress, rescue, deliver, set free)" (https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/salvation/) It was used to signify material deliverance, whereas salvation in the New Testament was more spiritual.   

Isaiah 12, is called a Hymn of Praise. It follows Isaiah 11 which talks of the reign of Jesse's offspring, the Messiah.  Jesus would be the fulfillment of God's promise, a descendant of David.  He would be the Righteous Judge and the faithful one. Judah was surrounded by hostile foreign powers and they needed righteousness, justice, and faithfulness.  The Messiah would rule one day and this time of peace when even hostile animals could live together in peace would come. 

This chapter was a description of the joy when Jesus comes to reign on earth.  They  would praise the Lord.  We too must praise the Lord.  The Lord is our salvation.  Jesus saves, rescues, delivers, and sets us free.  He alone perserves us.  We do not have to fear because He is indeed our strength.  We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us!!  He alone can save us.  

As we draw near to the end of another year, we should be so grateful for all that He has done for us in 2022.  He alone has kept us alive and is provided for us.  We can trust Him and He is our salvation. 

Be blessed.