Author: Dr Glen

“Letting go of the past”

Philippians 3:12,13 and 14 “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also hold of me. Vs 13 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, Vs 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”

In the next 72 hours, we will be transitioning out of the previous year 2021 and into the New Year of 2022. It is also a time when many people will make what we call “New Year’s resolutions.” These resolutions are plans to do something different in the upcoming year and experience life-altering changes.

Many times people don’t realize the difficulty in breaking old or bad habits, and developing new and better habits. Holding on to the past can keep a person from moving forward into their future.

The apostle Paul uses the analogy of a runner running in a race to describe the believers’ spiritual growth. Like the runner in a race, we must continue to pursue and put forth an effort to reach our goal. When a runner begins to get close to the finish line, that runner will start to lean forward in an effort to be the first to cross the finish line. If that runner is leaning backwards, there is a chance that he will lose the race.    

Paul also uses several terms in Philippians chapter 3:

• Press on; to continue attempts to reach forward with energetic action 
• Lay hold; making something your own possession
• But one thing I do; remaining focused in spite of distractions that happen.
• Forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead

From time to time we will remember events that happened in the past, both good and bad. It’s acceptable to remember the past, but if a person dwells on the past, they are allowing themselves to be distracted by the past.

Letting go of the past has to be done in order to move forward into the future. Believers can use their imagination to be able to see themselves accomplishing the goals that have been set.

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, “let us lay aside every weight” and the sin which so easily ensures us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In order to accomplish goals that have been set, there are some people, places and things that you are going to have to let go of because of their weight. If we don’t remain focused on the goal, weight will ensnare us.

Isaiah 43:18,19 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Vs 19 Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

If a person continues to do what they have always been doing, they will continue to have the same results. With new ideas and new vision, a change can take place and the impossible will become possible.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Letting go of the past will enable a person to grasp and hold on to the future.

Mark 2:22: “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.” 

New ideas will not work if you hold on to old plans. It’s acceptable to glance back at the past, but the main focus should be on looking forward to the future.

Father in heaven, I pray that the blessings that were given by you to your people in 2021 serve as a reminder in 2022 of how gracious you are.

In Jesus name…Amen

Continuing in His service…Rev

The Reason

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Is it possible that the world has gotten caught up in different traditions to celebrate this time of year?

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Many people have latched on to traditions, and have allowed themselves to become distracted from the true reason Christmas is celebrated.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Black Friday has turned into green Thursday by having people work on Thanksgiving day, in order to get people to shop for early deals on Christmas presents.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Some people will camp out all night in all types of weather, to be the first person in line to get in the store when the doors open for that one flat screen TV.   

Jesus is the reason for this season.

In many instances, purchase will be put on credit cards that will run up a balance that might take the entire year to pay off.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Instead of being caught up in a season, let us try to remain focused on the reason.

Jesus is the reason for this season.

Seasons will change, but Jesus never changes.

Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”

Continuing in His service…

It is finished

“So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit” John 19:30

Webster defines procrastination as “the action of delaying or postponing something.” Often times we procrastinate because the task that needs to be done is something that is unpleasant or tedious. We will find excuse after excuse as to why we just simply don’t want to complete the task, often procrastinating until the last minute, and then we finally realize that “I’ve got to get this done!”

Procrastination will and can rob anyone from having the feeling of completion. Procrastination really is finding ways to avoid doing a task which needs to be done. It is also stalling, being hesitant, or delaying something because it is something that may be unpleasant or boring to do. When a person avoids doing a task that needs to done, or continues to find excuses not to do something, they are in the act of procrastinating. Waiting until the last minute to get something done is the “fruit” of procrastination.

At the tender young age of twelve, Jesus was focused on completing what He was sent by God to do. When He and his parents travelled to Jerusalem to celebrate the yearly Feast of the Passover, when it was time for them to leave, Jesus was found in the temple, “sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking questions”. Luke 2:46

Upon finding her son, she asked Him, “Son why have you done this to us? Look your father and I have sought you anxiously”. (Luke 2:48). In verse 49, Jesus responded, Why did you seek me? Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?

Jesus did not procrastinate, or lose His focus on completing His Father’s business. Imagine if He procrastinated about going to the cross? What would have happened if Jesus found ways to avoid being crucified or waited until the last minute to go to Calvary?

Our Lord and savior dwelt here on earth among us and was a living example of what it truly means to finish whatever He started. We as the children of God, should learn from the example that Jesus set.  We should remain focused on the task at hand and put forth the effort to finish what we start regardless of the cost, the difficulty, or the tediousness of the task. Once we have completed the task, we not only will have a sense of accomplishment, but we will be able to say just like our Savior, “It is finished”.   

Lord Jesus, help us to follow Your example of completing what is set before us. Give us strength so that we will not procrastinate and instead give us the ability to complete the tasks that lie before us. Give us a sense of accomplishment and allow our works to always bring favor to others and more importantly, glory to You. In Jesus name, Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev