LOOKING BACK AND PRESSING FORWARD
Keith O’Connor
Woodland Church
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
(Philippians 3:13-14, NASB) Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1. Our Future can be better than our Past
(Psalm 103:8-12) The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
(Philippians 3:13, NASB) Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.
(Ephesians 2:10, NIV) Created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for you to do.
2. Keep a Forward Focus at all times
(Philippians 3:14, NASB) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God.
3. Stand Firm in your walk with Christ
(Philippians 4:1, CSB) So then, my dearly loved and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear friends.
(1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV) Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Growthwork
- Get Involved
- Study God’s Word/Prayer
- Make a Commitment to follow Christ