The Winning Plan

Tuesday, July 7

Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Devotion

The Apostle Paul’s message to the church at Philippi was, in essence, that until he has finished his race, he will forget the past, reach for God’s preordained purpose for his life, and keep pressing on until it is completed.

That was the winning plan spelled out: ‘Forget – Reach – Press’.

Forget

The memory of the past, whether good or bad, can become a deterrent if lingered on too long in the new season God has placed us. Rear-view thinking blinds us from seeing the appointed time or places a lid on what He can do. Creatures of habit, we want Him to ‘do it again,’ the same way He did before. But, for example, if circumstances have changed, and the new people He wants to touch must be moved into our circle, then His ways and methods belong to Him alone. Our job is to only follow Him.

Ecclesiastes 8:5,6 says, “A wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgment, because for every matter there is a time and judgment.”

There is timing and purpose for everything. Discernment is needed. May we ask, ‘Lord, what do You want to do in my life now?’ It is then we can understand the moving pieces.

Memories were meant for two things – remind us of lessons learned and the unwavering faithfulness of our God. But we must always press on and continue to move forward.

Reach

Reach for the things which are ahead. What is God’s vision, what lies ahead of us? We can rest assured that God’s plans for our lives have already been laid out, and they are good. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

It is time to discover and reach. For the individual whose heart is set on Him, “The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord: and He delights in his way [and blesses his path].” Psalm 37:23 (Amplified Bible) Reach by seeking *first the kingdom of God. Then watch and see what He places in our hands.

Press

Next, it is time to prove the reason why God put us here in the first place. In the verse preceding today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul writes in verse 12 (Amplified Bible), “Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.”

That means, in everything we do, with everything we are, and in everything we face, is to respond like Jesus. His character, His wisdom, His Presence that leaves a trace of Him on the world. That is what we are to be pressing toward. That is the mark we are to leave.

In verse 14 of the same chapter, Paul writes that he presses on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Contextually this passage means ‘to be conformed to the image of His Son.’ That is the goal, to obtain this prize. To be the candle that shines in the dark.

To be like Jesus.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for creating me with Your purpose in mind. I forget the past, as Your mercy covers it. I reach forward to Your vision for my life and press in by surrendering to Your will. I submit my ways to You so that my life and my character are in alignment with Your plan. Lead me by Your Holy Spirit. I will follow You closely. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Reflect on what God is speaking to your heart today. What has He placed in your hand? Don’t be surprised if the work starts with your own transformation. Commit it to prayer. Pray that His will be done, ask for His wisdom, and ask for the Holy Spirit to lead you. Press on, and watch His vision unfold for your life.

Resources

• No matter where you are in your journey, God is calling you to keep pressing forward. Watch “End Like You Started” and be inspired to finish the race with faith. 

• Read Ephesians 2:10 and be encouraged to know that God has already prepared good works for your life.