It's 2022 and you know what that means...
" New Year. New Goals. Same God."
This year as we set our goal and plans, make this an addition to your list, being disciplined. Philippians 3:14 says, "I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." In this scripture, Paul is letting us know that he made up his mind to continue in the race. To continue running towards Heaven. I do not know about you, but this life can really take a toll on me if I allow it to. Sometimes the challenges, battles, trials, and tribulations we face daily can shift our focus. I have gone through a fair number of battles in my own life (heartaches, trauma, depression) that have tried to take my focus off Jesus.
You ever notice when you are focused on your situation more that is when you feel the most distant from God?
Don’t Look Back
Guess what...Paul figured it out. Yes, he figured out how to take his eyes off the ugly past and walk forward as if he was a “whole new creation.” In Philippians 3:13, Paul said, “... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,”. When we take Paul’s life and dissect it you will see that Paul had many reasons to turn back. Paul was a murderer, faced heavy persecution for the sake of Jesus’ name, and was physically assaulted by Jews and Romans. Who would not call a quits after all of that?! You and I, maybe but Paul was determined and disciplined to reach Heaven. Paul decided that despite everything he had faced he was going to take a hold of eternal life (Philippians 3:11). That should be the goal of every believer. Luke 9:62, Jesus also explained that a person who looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. It is powerful when you think about it because that means that that person has not fully let go of their life here on Earth. Relate it to your life today, how are we supposed to get closer to God if we keep looking back at old things? Outside factors and old situations that should be dead? For Paul to grow closer to Jesus and become more like him, he had to LET SUM THANGS GO!
So, my question is, “what are you looking back on?”
The Goal: Being Disciplined
This year, let us have a goal and a changed mindset. Not only as the Body of Christ but in our personal walks with Jesus. Let us be disciplined in pursuing Jesus daily just as Paul did. I’m not saying that we will not face hardships cause we will but I’m saying that we should change the way we think in the face of hardships. Paul had a determined mindset which led to a disciplined character. You know the saying, “the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” yes that can be us sometimes! Lol. But this time, this year, let us be disciplined in our focus. Do you see where you need areas of improvement in your walk with word whether that be in reading the word, praying, fellow-shipping with God/other believers, or fasting more than you did last year? Then seek to be disciplined this year as Paul was in his life. Being disciplined starts with our mindset, the word of God says to, “seek the Kingdom of Heaven first.” So, if you wanna get closer to the Lord this year but you lack discipline then pray this prayer to our father:
Dear Father,
Thank you for making a relationship with you even possible and for the opportunity I must always draw closer to you day by day. Lord, I pray that this year you grant me a spirit of discipline and determination. Fix my focus on the things of God and off the things of this world. Place within me a mindset and a heart that seeks after the Kingdom of God in all things.
In Jesus Mighty Name I Pray, Amen.
"Chile Boo, if only you knew" 💚
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