Looking Unto the Cross..... A devotional for day 2 of LENT Thursday, March 9

Philippians 3:12-17 Paul makes it clear that the plan for us is progress in our Christian walk. This is apparent in Philippians 3:12 when he wrote, "not that I have already obtained." Paul would sing the little chorus in full voice that "He's still working on me, to make me what I ought to be." We are to make progress in becoming more like Christ. We are not perfect in all of our attitudes and actions and even our motives will need the faithful checking and refining by the Holy Spirit. Paul also makes it clear that to reach forward to the future, we must leave the past behind us. He writes in Philippians 3:13; "one thing I do: forgetting what is behind." We cannot face the future with courage and hope if we are always looking back, and sometimes that includes leaving our successes as well as our failures. A question which must be asked is, what happens when you try to press towards the future and it just doesn't work? I believe there are two reasons that God allows things to come back into our minds. 1. That we might celebrate the forgiveness and grace of God. The next time the devil or someone else throws something up in front of you, use it as a platform to praise the Lord for His wonderful forgiveness and grace. 2. I also believe that when God forgives us, He reminds us that He will not hold our forgiven sins against us. However, He may teach us lessons along the way. An example from our life is the fact that we forgive our children but there still might be situations which might need to be discussed. These discussions may assist the children to refrain from participating in the same mistake or sin twice. In our devotional time with God, we need to seek His guidance to develop behaviors which would help us to be all that we need to be. Paul makes it clear that we have hope because there is a prize. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God's testimony to us that the final victory is His and ours. "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14. There are many things that I do not understand about the book of Revelation, but I do know who wins at the end of the chapter. Jim Monck Red Bluff, CA USA Father I want to be as new as you can make me. Help me to allow you into every arena of my life that needs to be more open to you. May the assurance of final victory inspire me to face each of my days with confidence that you care as much for now as you do for eternity. And then, help me to live in the victory of this moment as though it is only the beginning of all that you have promised to achieve in me and of all who will follow with focus upon you. Amen Suggested Daily Scripture Reading [Psalm 37:1-18] [Hab. 3:1-18] [Phil. 3:12-21] [John 17:1-8] Visit: 1999 Advent/Christmas Series Epiphany Series You may send e-mail comments or suggestions toYvonne Edwards. Edited: Mar. 8, 1:00 p.m. Page designed by: Cecil Wallace Prayer by: Joe Hittle The background set is provided by For His Glory Cross button courtesy of The Christian Graphics Gallery Copyright © 2000 NazNet All rights reserved. International copyright secured.