Forgetting the Past and Looking for the future

“But this one thing  I do, forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things which are before,”  Philippians 3:13

Introduction: 
      Wishing all "A VERY HAPPY AND BLESSED NEW YEAR - 2012. The New Year has just dawned, everyone of us have lots of hopes and aspirations. In the past 2011, we had mixed feelings and learned many valuable lessons which may be greater teacher for this year. With those exposures and experiences, let us heed St Paul’s counsel in Philippians 3:13 and learn some valuable lessons.
    
“Forgetting those things ... behind” – A Christian life is to run the race and secure the prize. It is unlikely that he would stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had covered, or who of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. If his attention was diverted for a moment, it would hinder his race, and the outcome might be his losing the crown. He would not allow any reference to the past to interfere with the one great effort to win the prize. However, it may be, and is, profitable for a Christian to look over the past mercies of God to his soul, in order to awaken emotions of gratitude in the heart, and to think of his shortcomings and errors, to produce penitence and humility.
So, let us then look onward not backward. Let us not spend our time either in pondering the gloomy past, and our own unfaithfulness, or in thinking of what we had achieved and thus becoming puffed up with self-complacency; but let us keep the eye steadily on the prize, and run the race as though we had just commenced it.

Unto those things which are before - Before the runner there was a crown or garland to be bestowed by the judges of the games. Before the Christian there is a crown of glory from our Saviour, the eternal reward of heaven. There is the favour of God, victory over sin and death, the society of the redeemed and of angelic beings, and the assurance of perfect and eternal freedom from all evil. These are enough to animate the soul, and to urge it on with ever-increasing vigour in the Christian race. Above all, the joy of seeing Jesus our Lord and Saviour face to face which is our heavenly hope.
New Year Resolutions: 
       With keeping in mind the above thought from Paul, shall we make some resolutions for this New Year. Obviously, the past is behind us. We can't undo it even if we wanted to, but we can start the New Year with hope and purpose. 
• A better way to start the New Year with God's help. "Let this coming year be better than all the others.”
• Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time. (Praying, Reading Bible, Giving, Serving etc.)
• Call up a forgotten friend (especially in the church and family). Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories.
• Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep.
• Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger.
• Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you.' Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.
• As each year rapidly passes I'm becoming more aware of the fact that life is short.
• So be sure to make 2011 an investment in eternal values knowing that, in the words of the poet, we have "Only one life 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."

Conclusion:
        True happiness does not mean living without pain or hurt—not at all. True happiness is learning how to live one day at a time, in spite of sorrow and pain. It is learning how to rejoice in the Lord, no matter what has happened in the past. You may feel rejected and abandoned. Your faith may be weak and you think you are “down for the count”. Sorrow, tears, pain, and emptiness may swallow you up at times, but God is still on the throne. He is still God! So as Paul exhorts us to “forget the lingering past and look for the bright hope of future in Christ”

     Please continue to pray and thank Him for another New Year in which to serve Him. Ask Him to invest it wisely in eternal values so that when you stand before Him face to face, will hear your welcome words:
Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”  Have a Blessed year 2012 and God Bless you.