Forgetting what is behind, to move forward!

We all struggle to leave the things of the past - in the past! To leave our comfort zones, our ideals, hurts, etc. - to go into the new, greater things God has for us. Relationships get stuck because we don't change, or grow ... both with the Lord and with our other relationships. We need to be growing, that means leaving the things of the past. Entering into new things. Phil. 3:12-14. "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on .." In my life God called me to step out of my comfort - to start a church

In this passage we see 2 keys to moving out of the past into the future: Say them w/ me - 
1. I will purpose to forget the things of the past. 2. I will purpose to fight into the new things God has for me

In order to put things in the past you have to deal with them properly. First, all resentments, grudges, unforgiveness needs to be dealt with. (Greek = Present tense = continuous action) Remember, holding on to these things doesn't change the past, or the person you are upset with now, it only hurts you! If you don't deal with these all new relationships can be destroyed. You will treat others in ways you don't want to - You will wonder - "why I am I so upset over this?" - Little things can set off an emotional explosion because of the past hurts or frustrations. Things that remind you of someone else who has hurt you.. You will create self-fulfilling prophecies. The answer is to pray through these things with the Word of God. (Story of Revival - Why worry when you can pray? no - "Why pray when you can worry.) We worry about what to say, then we worry about what we said .. Leave what has been said in the past behind! Prayer is the answer! It makes all the difference in the world! See yourself accepted by God!

You have to give up your guilt. Peter & Judas - both sinned. But responded differently. Don't let Satan beat you "you failed God". God knows you are going to blow it, but He still loves you and Jesus is praying for you always. So ask forgiveness and give forgiveness - Eph. 4:32 "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." 
Peter had to let go of his guilt - he did and was blessed! Coming out of the experience of seeing Jesus die and then rise from the dead and finally be taken up into Heaven, the disciples all of sudden find themselves alone and in completely new circumstances. John 21: "Peter - feed my sheep-follow me!" He had to believe in the love of Jesus for him. Understand this for your life. What can separate you from the love of God? Only your lack of faith in His love. 

"Straining ahead, pressing on"- Like a runner stretching forward as he or she runs. High calling = upward calling. Some of us are so used to living in defeat, you've come to expect that, rather than expecting the blessing of the Lord. The children of Israel had been brought out of Egypt, but He could not get Egypt out of the Israel. Eph. 4:22-24. "Be made new in the attitude of your minds.. and to put on the new self." Fear and unbelief will stop you from entering into God's Promised Land for your life. Many are fearful of getting married because of the the failed relationships of their parents. Bitterness, unforgiveness - blaming others is lame - you can't change the past. Wishful thinking, will gain you nothing. Thinking "I wish I hadn't gotten married" - is wrong. Like "I wish I hadn't left Egypt". No the grass is greener where you water it! So- no more, "If only's - I battled that for years in many areas. Fight through it! God promised the Land, but they had to fight for it - and it took years! Are you willing to fight for? You have to believe that the goal is worth giving up the past! Do you believe that? Then get ready to fight into the new things: Joshua 1:1,2. "After the death of Moses .. Moses is dead! " why did God tell Joshua the obvious? Reminding him, "it's time to move on". "I have a promised land for you". Many times we wish someone else would do it. No! You! Be strong and very courageous - focus on the Word of God.
Have you made a choice to believe God? David & Goliath - his brothers compared themselves to Goliath - David compared him to God = small & too big to miss. I have seen God change my attitude, giving me more faith. Will you purpose to neglect, purposefully forget the things of the past? Will you fight into the things of the future God has for you? Have you received God's love and forgiveness?