DAILY DEVOTIONAL TODAY – September 18, 2024 || Our Daily Bread [Daily Devotion] | MamClaireTV

Devotional Message:
(Philippians 3:13-14)
"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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

In these verses, the Apostle Paul gives us a powerful reminder about moving forward in life. Paul, who had accomplished many things in his life—both good and bad—could have spent his time thinking about the past. But instead, he chooses to focus on what’s ahead. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Paul is teaching us that life is like a race. Just like a runner who keeps their eyes on the finish line, Paul is urging us to stay focused on the ultimate goal: our relationship with Jesus and eternal life with Him. Imagine if a runner kept looking backward while running a race. They would stumble, slow down, and might even lose the race. Paul tells us not to let our past—whether it's filled with mistakes, regrets, or even successes—distract us from moving forward.

In life, we all have things in our past that can hold us back. Maybe it’s a failure or a sin we regret. Maybe it’s a time when we got things wrong. Or perhaps it’s even a success that makes us feel like we’ve already done enough. But Paul says we need to "forget what is behind." This doesn’t mean pretending the past didn’t happen, but rather not letting it control our present and future.

Paul also emphasizes "straining toward what is ahead." This shows us that pursuing God’s will and growing in our faith requires effort. It’s not always easy. But just as a runner pushes through discomfort and exhaustion to reach the finish line, we, too,