Mission Venture Ministries

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) 

As the New Year approaches many of us might be taking time to reflect at the past year or what has happen in our life and what do we see? It might be good accomplishments or not so good and if we are true to God and ourselves we realize that there is much improvement to be made for the honor and glory of God. 

Although Christians are called to be like Christ, we continue to make mistakes. In fact, we will never obtain complete sanctification until we stand before the Lord. But, God uses our imperfections and our potential to help us grow in faith and obedience to Him. 

Sadly the flesh in all of us at times pulls us toward sin and away from the prize of the upward call. For this reason, Paul exerted an all-out, single-minded effort to obtain Christian maturity, he recognized his own shortfall. Paul also called the Philippians and all future Bible readers to diligently strive to pursue spiritual growth in their Christian lives. 

We see the author of the book of Hebrews echoing Paul’s words with this similar encouragement, “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). 

So we should not look back, because, if we do, we’ll get burdened down under the weight of past memories and failure. In turn we need to understand that each achievement we realize we have God to thank for because He is the one who gives the strength, opportunity, skill and health to do it, and He works in all of us to reach success. Isaiah tells us that “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3). 

As we see, there is only One who deserves the glory, and it’s not you or me. The purpose and joy of the Christian life isn’t to live for ourselves and our own exaltation, but for God and His glory. 

Psalm 145 attributes to the Lord unsearchable greatness, glorious splendor, wonderful works, mighty power, loving kindness, mercy, goodness, majesty, and righteousness. He is truly worthy of all glory and honor. 

In turn, we need to glorify Him by humbling ourselves, depending on Him, and recognizing that all the good in and from us actually comes from Him. It is God’s will that our lives bring Him praise and this will ultimately be fulfilled in heaven but should also be our practice while here on earth (Ephesians 1:13-14). 

The more we understand the grandeur of our God and the greatness of His works, both for and through us, the more we’ll desire to exalt Him,  (1 Corinthians 1:30; Romans 8:11; Ephesians 3:20). 

We as believers are the recipient of His gracious gifts, and that is reason for overwhelming joy. Therefore, be encouraged by Paul’s emphasis here on forgetting the past, forgetting what is behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead. Don’t let yesterday’s failures interrupt you from the goal of your upward call of God in Christ. Press on for the gold medal prize until you meet the Lord Jesus at the finish line. 

We at Mission Venture Ministries would like to challenge you in the coming year to spend time in the Word, exploring the glory of God and rejoicing in knowing that He works mightily in and through you if you let Him do so. And we are celebrating along side all our readers what God has done and will do for each of us, knowing that our heavenly Father enables His children to serve and bless others. Because, “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed” (2 Corinthians 9:8). 

If you want grow as a Christian, make sure you have the right attitude knowing that you are in a lifelong process of moving ahead. And, give it the proper effort, focusing on the goal of being like Christ, and doing everything in light of that high calling. 

Our “goal” is to press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (Philippians 3:12), including experiencing the resurrection of the dead (Philippians 3:11) and receiving our glorified body (Philippians 3:21). 

May you bring glory to God in 2023 and find joy and peace in submitting to Him. 

Blessings on your New Year! 

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