Date: 06-12-2020

Title: Glance-Gaze

(S) cripture:
    Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

(O) bservation:
    Paul gives us a way to move forward in our walk with the Lord. He says to: 1) Forget what is behind 2) Reach forward to what is ahead and 3) Press on each day. We are so often paralyzed by our past that we do nothing or we are so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Rarely do we press on each day doing the things God has instructed us to do. Think how free we would be if we let go of the past; focus on the goal of heaven and live each day moving forward.

(A) pplication:
    In college I remember hearing a sermon titled “Glance-Gaze” based on this scripture. The message was to glance at and learn from our past but we can’t live there. We are then to gaze at the goal of knowing Christ better. Then each day we press on toward the goal. That is the way I want to live. Released from the past that I cannot change and ever moving toward the call of Christ in my life. I want to be focused on Christ and His purpose for me and faithful in moving toward them each day. William Carey, one of the first missionaries once said, “If he give me credit for being a plodder he will describe me justly.” When things get tough I want to be known as a plodder. I will press on step by step.

(P) rayer:
    Lord, there is much to forget or to let go of and there is a goal to move toward. Let my focus be on you and step by step moving toward you each day. Amen