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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." That descriptive action was the ONE thing the Apostle Paul said that he did in his personal life and practical ministry. Looking at the passage, it is clear to see that in order for that one goal to be accomplished, There were two preparatory actions that had to have preliminarily occurred in order for the 'pressing' to take place.

Firstly, the past had to be forgotten. That is not that it escaped the memory bank, but that it no longer rendered any practical response to its former historical happening. That can only become a reality as all of its components are accurately and adequately dealt with at the cross of Christ. Once all failure, guilt, shame, anger, or bitterness is placed eternally under the blood, the sting of the memory pales into gratitude for the mercy and grace of God.

Secondly, the future had to involve goals of godliness, toward which individual steps would proceed. In chronological action order, Paul's exhortation is simply that we FORGET the past, FOCUS on the future, and FUNCTION responsibly in the present. How often does that process need to occur? As often as the past troubles our thinking, and seems to impede our forward spiritual progress. It is a critical aspect of our sanctification, which is a process, following the historical event of salvation.

May we faithfully accomplish the spiritual discipline of pressing on.

(C) 2013 N.A.Collins - Copy permission limited to one personal file copy

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.                             Joshua 1:8

The Word of God is the very source and resource of all that God wants to do in the lives of His blood bought children. Its practical effects are conversion, wisdom, joy, understanding and righteousness. By its boundaries we are warned, and by our obedience to instruction there is both victory and blessing.  When our heart longs to know and experience intimate fellowship with God, there will be an insatiable love for His Word.That love will be evidenced by a continual meditation upon its precepts with subsequent obedience, joy, and peace.

Meditation, as referred to in the Scriptures, in its verb form, always has the Word of God as its object. I understand that the word is a a derivation of one we know as " ruminate", which is what the cows in the field do when we tell our children that they are "chewing their cud". Literally, through the unique design of God in their multiple stomachs, they are chewing again, over and over, in repetitive fashion, what was taken in earlier. That is precisely what we are to do in meditation on the Scriptures. The best way I have found to recall the words of God on a regular and continuing basis is to write out the verse for personal meditation each morning on a 3x5?index card. Throughout the day, it can be rehearsed aloud, thoughtfully, every hour or so. As it becomes an integral part of our life, we are convicted by it, we heed it, and we are cleansed by it. As a result, we demonstrate its profit to all and find our life pleasing to God and profitable to men.

Our love for God is to consume our individual lives so fully that we actually think, act and talk His word in all our interpersonal communications with others. May it be our prayer today, in agreement with Psalm 19:14, that all the words of our mouth and all the meditations of our heart be acceptable in the sight of God, Who is our Strength and our Redeemer.

(C) 1995 N.A.Collins - Copy permission limited to 1 personal file copy

Fear seems to be a significant issue in our world today. Health, relationships, the economy, our future, and even sometimes our present bring fearful thoughts to our hearts and minds. Actually, sometimes it seems we are afraid of becoming afraid. God has encouraged my own heart many times with His Word in Proverbs 3:25a-26a, "Be not afraid of sudden fear,,,for the Lord shall by thy confidence..."

We know that fear was initially seen in the garden of Eden, following the rebellion of man that fractured mankind's intimate fellowship with God. When God questioned his whereabouts, Adam's response was that his fear motivated the visible actions of running away and attempting to hide from Him. Even so it is with us...the motivational element of fear must be addressed. It's presence or absence will, in fact, determine our actions.

Fear is unseen to the human eye, but gives visible illustration of its presence in our attitudes, behavior and communication. Fear would clearly appear to be the "root" of unbiblical "fruit" in our lives. Sometimes we are afraid of not pleasing people, or losing face in others opinions of us, or not being able to have our own way. But, the question is - what is the deeper heart problem that precipitates the fear?

The answer is seen in the account eluded to from Genesis 3. When we resist the divine design of God for our lives, the unbiblical response of fear is experienced, with its subsequent actions which are both visible and definable. What is the solution? God gives it to us in Psalm 56:3 and in 2 Timothy 1:7. His power and authority are made available to us as we receive the gift of personal salvation. Thereafter, the sacrificial loving of God in obedient trust and the sacrificial loving of others in service is the clear responsibility of each believer. These essential elements produce the stability and sound mind that accurately represent the indwelling Christ to a lost and dying world. Cumulatively, they displace the unbiblical fear that Satan would desire to see dominate the lives of God's blood-bought children with the confident trust in His Sovereignty.

(C) 2013 N.A. Collins - Copy permission limited to one personal file copy