So as it has throughout 2023 my Internet connection has cut in and out this morning. SO... I'm doing something I have never done before: I'm posting a written version of my message. I tried to give credit to any quotes I used so any omissions of such are purely unintentional.
15 Minutes with Floyd December 31, 2023
Looking Back or Looking Forward
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
Good Morning,
It’s December 31, 2023 and I’m Pastor Floyd Banks here in Pahrump NV and I welcome you to “15 Minutes with Floyd” . . . Our scripture this morning is Philippians 3:12-14 NIV As I do each week let’s open with prayer:
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. [Philippians 3:12-14 NIV]
Good morning again. I say that as it is the last day I can say that to you in 2023. I’m sure more than a
few of you are looking forward to 2024 in hopeful anticipation. Maybe you’ll look back at the wonderful things that happened: new birth, promotion, self-growth or something prosperous. Those are good things to remember.
However some of you may be looking back at 2023 with reservation or sorrow: whether it be in grief over lost loved ones, over goals that weren’t met, over things that went wrong, mistakes that were made or simply that 2023 was not the year you had hoped for. For you it may be difficult to do but, Paul asks you to forget what is behind and press forward to what is ahead.
In Hebrews 8 God’s word says; 12 And I will be merciful to them in their wrongdoings, and I will remember their sins no more.” [Hebrews 8: 12] Try to remember that when you are trying to look
forward and people want to remind you of negative things from your past.
A friend of mine sends me an inspirational message almost daily. He sent one a couple months ago that said: “The past is not the way I’m headed; you’ll have to catch a ride with someone else.” So I say to you when people do that tell them: “God doesn’t think it’s worth remembering so...”
Satchel Paige a late American baseball player once said: “Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you.” ~ Satchel Paige. An unknown author said of this; “The phrase "Don't look back"; is often used to encourage people to focus on the present and the future rather than dwelling on the past. It can be a reminder to let go of regrets, mistakes, or missed opportunities and instead, to look forward to new possibilities and growth.” As we look forward to the New Year let’s try to heed Paul and Satchel’s words and focus on what lies ahead.
I was reading the notes in my study bible about the scripture Philippians 3 and it partially said: Paul says his goal is to know Christ: I think that is an admirable goal for us all. It also said; “We should not let anything take our eyes off of our goal- knowing Christ. Paul had a reason to forget what was behind: he had held the coats of the men who had stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
We have all done things for which we are ashamed and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us to become. Don’t dwell on the past.”
The living Bible translation of Philippians 3 says; 12 I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be. 13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us. [Philippians 3:12-14 TLB]
Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year; we now have the opportunity to be what God would have us to be: yesterday is gone: all we have is today to make our tomorrow the best we can make of it. Start each day with a prayer that God will give you the strength and wisdom to make the right decisions and to not lament over the bad decisions we have made in the past. That friend of mine sent me these two other tidbits; “Experience comes from poor judgement.” And; “Life is not always fair and growth is painful, but don’t give up.” Remember this as you look forward to the New Year; all we can change is today, so go forward in prayer and allow God to lead you.
Something else Satchel Paige said; “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” ~ Leroy Satchel Paige. Joseph S. Alpert, Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Medicine had this to say “Look ahead, live today for everything it is worth, and don’t wallow in regrets about things now passed which cannot be reversed.” ~ Joseph S. Alpert, MD
The Message Translation of today’s scripture says it this way; 12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. [Philippians 3:12-14 MSG]
None of us are experts: probably never will be, all we can do is try to make today better than yesterday. How’s that for a New Year’s resolution?
I pray for all of you and I hope this message is useful for you in the coming days and weeks. If there is someone out there who doesn’t know Jesus, now is the time to introduce Jesus to them. He came to bring salvation to anyone who will accept Him. All it takes is a prayer like this: “Lord I’m a sinner. I have done things that I am truly sorry for, your word in Romans 10 says that if I confess with my Mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in my heart God raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. Lord I do that right now and I want to be like Jesus in my heart. Bless me, protect me, and lead me in the way you would have me go: in Jesus name I pray, Amen!”
If you pray a prayer like that Salvation is yours and your journey to be the person God would have you to be has begun.
Let me leave you with what it says in 1 Kings 8; 57 May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us, 58 that He may incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers. [1 Kings 8: 57-58]
16 Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all. [2 Thessalonians 3:16]
God Bless each and every one of you, and I pray I’ll see you on the next “15 Minutes with Floyd.”
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