Forgetting those things that are behind!

“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.” Philippians 3:13

Many of us have a great memory. We can tell you what someone said or did 20 years ago and how it made us feel. Our mind remembers in great detail everything done and how it deeply affected us. So when the Bible says forgetting those things that are behind, most of us often have a problem doing that. We must understand what this means. To forget in this text means to “lose out of mind” or to not dwell on it. Forgetting is an active term. It means whenever something negative from our past comes to mind, we don’t give it three seconds of our attention. We don’t give it time to barge in and plant itself in our minds. This can also include telling those who enjoy bringing up the past that you’ve decided to forget those things in the past so you can reach for what God has placed before you.

That’s what “before” means in this text. Its not a future or far off in the distance term as you might suppose. It comes from the Greek word “emprosthen” which means in front of. You will find this same word in Matthew 5:16 where Jesus says to let your light so shine before men, in front of men, right in their presence and sight.

You must know that God has placed His perfect desires and plans right before you, right in your presence and right in front of your sight, and it is His will that you see and seize all He has for you. He has rewards, opportunities, blessings, divine connections, godly success and more. He wants to enrich your life and make you a blessing, but you must choose to habitually lose out of mind those things in your past and reach for what’s right before you. The decision is yours!

Prayer: Father God, thank You for speaking directly to my heart. Help me to not dwell on the past, but to reach for what’s You’ve so graciously placed right in front of me. I give my mind and heart to You. Help me Lord. Help my eyes to see what you want me to see and open my hands reach for it and enjoy what You’ve given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read Philippians 3:10-14)

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16 thoughts on “Forgetting those things that are behind!”

  1. Thank you Father God for your grace and mercy. Thank you for allowing me to forget those things that are behind me. And reaching for those things that are before me. I love you Lord and I glorify your Holy name. All praise and honor belongs to You

  2. Please pray for me to keep looking forward not back i deal with the same habits i did yesterday. I just want over this.

    1. I know it’s difficult. Sometimes it’s like we have a mind that dictates what we think and do, and it will unless we renew our mind. How? Scripture tells us to be renewed in our my mind. This sounds daunting but God makes it easy. We have to choose though. Our mind is renewed by the Word of God! So read, maybe 15 minutes a day, usually turns into more. Spend time in his presence. Meditate on the Word of God! After some time you will find your prayer is answered. However; PrayING for someone, especially when it is requested is important. So, Brittain Odle, I and will pray as I have witnessed the Daughters of the King who read this devotional. So, my prayer for you is that Almighty God draws you to read His Word, and renews your mind as it is promised in the Word! I pray you begin this adventurethane starts today, in Jesus Name. “Choose you this day who you will follow! Gee, I hope this gets to You! Thank you Lord!

  3. Praise God Almighty. Thank You Dear Lord for helping us to not dwell on the past; but, to press on, keeping our focus on what You have planned for us. Holy Spirit, help us to worship while we wait.
    TO BRITTANY O,
    don’t ever give up! Press on, persevering in prayer πŸ™πŸΎ, asking The Lord to help you overcome those habits; no matter what they are.
    IS ANYTHING TOO HARD FOR OUR MIGHTY GOD? Absolutely not! We may fall many times; but, with God’s help, we can get back up & keep trying. You only fail when you give up. Don’t give up on God. HE NEVER GIVES UP ON YOU. It’s said that it takes 21 days to change a habit. So, one day at a time, in God’s strength; not yours. Lean on Him; trust & obey. Praying for you. I’m a witness it can be done. Abundant blessings to you.

  4. I’ve been struggling with this for a long time. I’ve been told that the past steps on the heels of the present. My past seems to be my present. Please pray for me.

  5. Thank God for grace. This is a struggle that requires much grace.If we can stop dwelling on mistakes and receive His grace and mercy one day at a time we will have the victory Thank you Father your mercies are new every morning. Hang in there sisters He who promised is faithful and will perfect us.πŸ˜‚πŸ˜˜

  6. Amen❀..thank you father for this message…please help me be where you want me to be..help me shine your light before men for your Glory..daddy Jesus..love you father..❀❀❀

  7. I thank God for this message because it’s been very challenging in this area but as I pray for the people, places, and/or things, it’s gotten a whole lot better for me in my faith walk. Some people, places, and/or things are not worth entertaining in Jesus name, Amen.

  8. A NEW THINGπŸ‘New creation , old things done passed away…πŸ˜„I FORGOT IT ALL β—πŸ’―I THANK U FATHER GODπŸ™Œ I’m so free of all the devil’s tricks & lies β—πŸ’― Waiting Confidently on U LORD JESUSπŸ‘‘πŸ’“πŸ’•πŸ’–πŸ’žβ˜πŸ‘πŸ’ͺπŸ’•πŸ’ͺ
    Focusing on what really matters, and in the meantime…and in between time CLOUD WATCHING…☁ β›…and STANDING on HIS PROMISES…πŸ””Keeping Eyes on the PRIZEπŸŽπŸ’πŸŽ‰πŸ’―GOD HAS SOMETHING GREAT FOR US AHEAD….πŸ’’ and I INTEND TOπŸ’’ COLLECT β—πŸ’―πŸ†—πŸŽπŸŽ‰πŸŽŠπŸŽˆπŸ’ DOTK πŸ‘‘Thank you so very muchβ—πŸŽπŸŽ‰πŸŽŠπŸŽˆπŸ™β˜πŸ™β˜πŸ™β˜πŸ™β˜SHINEON β—πŸ’‘πŸ”‘πŸ˜„πŸ˜πŸ˜˜πŸ’ƒπŸ’ƒπŸ’ƒπŸ™ŒπŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  9. I thank you for the words that have been spoken. I myself is going through a situation an it’s so hard for me to put it behind but i know that it will happen if i just take it one day at a time an try not to dwell on it an keep a positive mind i believe. Through pray i may be able to get over it with the help of the lord. Thank you for your comments it has been incouraging an i also give thanks to Dot-k.com. keep me in your prayers on this one. Have a blessed day.

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