Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it (perfection). But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind I strain toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians. 3:13-14)
Thanksgiving – a time to THANK Christ. What we say is what we get (Matthew 7:1). Let our goal this month be to cease negative talking and celebrate the Christ of Father God in all things (Romans 8:28). Let us forget past suffering, failures, and behaviors. Learn from the past, forgiving others so we may be forgiven (Luke 11:4).
It is important to understand the past so we can eventually put it behind us and with hope look and move ahead … one day, one hour at a time. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Christ Jesus who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
Family gatherings can be challenging, with past memories, preparations and planning. Some remembrances are happy and others are traumatic. In Philippians 3:1-12 Paul is lamenting the past. He clearly states in verse 12; “not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect … press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of for me.”
How do we take hold, learn from past, and move on? As I thought and asked for the Holy Spirit’s help, I turned to my Message Bible, Philippians 3. “The very credentials people are waving around as something special; I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all things I once thought were important are gone from my life … insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him.”
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14) God has shown me to pray for families to be reconciled in 2016 … also, for the people of our nation to humble themselves and pray and turn from wickedness so He can heal our homes and nation. It is each person’s choice to “let go and let God.” It is your choice to think of Christ before you speak to others.