Together - Daily DevotionalSample

A New Beginning

Reading: Philippians 3:1-14

Key Verse: “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus”

As we conclude our devotions on the subject of new beginnings we look at Paul’s famous quotation about looking away from the past to see the future. He had been a strictly religious Pharisee but discovered a new beginning through simple faith in Christ. He was one of the church’s chief persecutors but embraced a new beginning as its chief architect. Paul could regard himself as the worst of sinners (1 Tim.1:16) and even unworthy of the title of apostle (1 Cor.15:9). Yet whether “good” or “bad” he put everything behind him in straining towards the new beginning God always had for him.

We have seen that the New Year can be a special time of spiritual decision, of putting off the old, cleaning out impurity, putting on the new, entering the promises of God, receiving direction and vision and of starting to build a new temple of praise and worship in our lives to the Lord.

Let us emulate the heroes of the Bible and especially Paul by leaving the past behind as we look ahead with faith and expectancy to a new beginning this year with a loving Father, grace giving Son and empowering Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Lord I pray for new opportunities and new beginnings this year as I forget the past and embrace the future