Sunday, 7SEP08

[Jerod W. Rickert]

Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 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,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.


Oh what a beautiful sentiment, if only we could learn this... It is neither that I am perfected nor brought yet to fullness of glory... but I WILL press on towards that goal!! Forgetting the things behind, how difficult this has proven for us, time and again, how often the voice and sins of the past have come back to us and attacked and crippled us, all because we insist upon carrying it in our pocket, to take with us and hold to...

Let us learn with the Apostle Paul, with King David and with the many successful men and women who have taken their stand for Christ... It is not our past that defines us, it is what we leave behind so that we may move forward that defines us... Let us truly learn that each step of this journey is not designed or ordained to harm us but to grow, mold and beautify us, and while taking a season of mourning for what we go through is natural and even healthy, when HE turns our mourning into dancing again, we must leave it behind and move forward to the new and greater glory HE has called us to...

My precious brothers and sisters, we all have so much baggage and burdens that HE, our Abba-Daddy, is not only willing, but DESIRING to take and cast away for us... Will we let HIM??

God Bless, and keep your eyes on the Prize... The Life and Love that Jesus has called us to for the reaching and salvation of a lost and hurting world...

[glorfindel500]

good one my friend..wrestle with my past everyday...at times, when my past is in my mind, in the interest a healthy spiritual relationship with god...would be good to remember these verses

[Jerod W. Rickert]

amen, Glor, as with so much that has been posted here, this was brought and taught to me on a day where my history was trying to strangle my joy and faith... God is so good, and thank you... I pray these verses will be the help to you they have been becoming to me... God Bless you richly in the abundant Glory of HIS excellent Mercy

[glorfindel500]

jerod,...read this thread to my aussie jacqueline..on wednesday morning at 830am our time...she said: "i really needed this today", because she is feeling sad about the daughter she has waiting for her back home in oz while she is with other her daughter in the u.k....she says: "even though we can never be perfect on this earth, we must try to do our best." When she was in grade four, she got all 'A's for effort...and even though her grades weren't so good in her subjects of study, her dad was happy because he knew she tried hard. And then she says with a giggle: " they'll think i am blowing my own trumpet", and i said no they won't. And then she said with a serious tone: "i think our heavenly father will be happy as he will know we are trying hard, and our earthly fathers are supposed to be a reflection of him.".