“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.”
Philippians 3:13-14 (NKJV)

June 1 - With the advent of the Messiah, every individual of Jewish ancestry either remains a prisoner of their religious past, or through Jesus, becomes a pioneer of a God-planned future. Which is it for you: Will you allow the enemy to imprison you to your past, or will you put on the armor of God and fight for the future God promised you? Just because we are saved doesn’t mean we are guaranteed a good future. We are promised a future, but so were the children of Israel. They were presented with the Promised Land but never entered it because they were prisoners of their past.

Put yourself in the shoes of an eighteen-year-old who just graduated from high school. Your wealthy uncle comes and informs you that he would like to pay for your college education (all four years). Wouldn’t you be excited? Sure you would. That is exactly what God did for us. He gave us salvation free of charge, without having to do anything to acquire it. But just because you have a scholarship to college doesn’t mean you are exempt from attending a variety of classes, doing hours of homework, and studying for final exams. Unless you are diligent to do those things, you won’t make it through all four years.

In the same way, God delivered you from your past and promised you a great future. But unless you put in the time to mediate on His Word, go to church, love people, and obey Him, you won’t possess that great future. It remains true: You’re either a prisoner to your past, or a pioneer of your future.

Daily Confession

Father, I thank You that I forget the things behind and reach forward to those ahead.

Family Scripture Reading

Acts 3

Featured Resource

The Standard - CD

A standard is an object that defines, represents, or records potential. It is a decree or level of requirement, excellence, or attainment. Simply put, it is the yardstick against which we measure or lives.

As believers, our standard is the cross of Jesus Christ. The defining factor of our life is the sacrifice Jesus made at Calvary. Jesus overcame temptation and defeated the enemy making it possible for us to do the same. He set a standard and became a representation of our potential.

As we model our character after the character of Jesus and model our lives in accordance with the Word of God, we become able to overcome temptation and defeat the enemy just like Jesus did. Be instructed and inspired through this powerful teaching by Linda Thompson. God’s Word and the victory of the cross can be the defining standard of your life!

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