Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Phil 3:13 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,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
How many of us know that God always gives us a word to prepare us for the next season of our lives as it relates to our purpose and destiny in Christ. Someone gave me a revelation recently that the next season of your life can become your now, and if you are not ready, it could hinder you for a season. I want to give you a word today that will prepare you for all that the LORD has for you in 2019.
This may not be a heavy revelation for many of you, but the word is simply: “You must press into your future!”
The reason we must press is because God wants us to succeed and not fail. He wants us to move forward and not backward, so that we can be all that he has called us to be.
When you think about the children of Israel, they were moving forward
from Egypt to the promised land. And even though the Lord provided for them in
the desert and in the midst of trial and tribulations, many of them wanted to
return to Egypt. It’s the same today, God is trying to progress us forward to come
into purpose, but many people like to hold on to the glory days! They like to sing that song, “I remember when” Listen! You will not be able to press into your future with a, “I remember when mentality.”
Listen to the word of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3: 12-14:
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Phil 3:13 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,
Phil 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Free online dictionary defines press as to urge with force or weight. To compress
or squeeze, to advance or carry on vigorously, to exert force or pressure, to
advance eagerly or push forward.
How many of us know that we ought to be a people that should be pressing into God’s Kingdom agenda, pressing forward in our spiritual growth, and pressing forward in our walk with the Lord. We should be pressing into prayer, pressing into the house of the LORD and having a sense of urgency for God’s Kingdom agenda. Why? Because the days are evil and the LORD’s appearing is so near!
I want to say something profound to everyone who is reading this devotional. You will never be able to press forward into your purpose until you stop looking back at your past. Your past should be like the rear view mirror in your car. Something that only gives you a small view to make sure nothing behind you is hindering you from getting to your destination in the Lord.
The Lord said its gonna take some pressing to get where you need to be in 2019. We cannot be a free spirit in 2019. Do you know what a free spirit is? Someone who says “Sera Sera,” What will be, will be, and doesn’t have a care in the world!
I want you to know that we should always have a sense of urgency, we should have an excellent spirit, and we must always have the mindset of being about the Fathers business!
So what is pressing toward the mark, or the goal for the prize of the high or
upward call, or calling in God? It is literally as one running a race as an athlete
and endeavoring to get to the goal line or finish the race. In 2 Tim chapter 2 Paul gives us the example of a soldier, an athlete and a farmer!
2Ti 2:4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
2Ti 2:5 And also if anyone competes in athletics (masteries), he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2Ti 2:6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
2Ti 2:7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
What are the characteristics of a solider, an athlete and farmer? They have a goal. They are disciplined. They get up early. They work hard. They have a vision and a plan, and they understand the importance of pressing toward a goal.
Every believer in Christ, whether you have or have not been a soldier, athlete or farmer, you can learn something from all of them! We should have the same discipline! Every believer should be disciplined and pressing into the Kingdom of God to fulfill the call or purpose for your life!
The key to fulfilling your purpose and destiny, and growing in the grace of God is:
1. Pressing on – Don’t give up! Stay in the fight. Keep moving forward! “For he who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ!” Phil 1: 6
2. Forgetting those things that are behind – How many of us know that it is good to glance back to make sure you are on track, but I don’t find anywhere in the Bible where God said to keep looking back. Isaiah 43:18 “Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old.”
3. Reach forward – How many of us know you must reach forward to grasp that which is in front of you? If you ask someone who runs track as a relay race runner, they understand reaching forward, and they will give you some revelation on grabbing the baton and breasting the tape!
4. Press toward the goal – If you have a vision, goal or dream you must press into it by faith and hard work! The Bible says in Matt 11: 12, “The Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”
I want you to know that you will never fulfill your purpose or destiny without a press! I don’t know of anyone who was mediocre, stagnated, procrastinating or slothful that achieved anything great!
I have a question for you! If the manager of Walmart called you and said, “We just want to notify you that you were selected for a thousand dollar shopping spree, but you must be here in one hour, what would you do? I know what you would do. You would drive to the local Walmart like a bat out of hell on two wheels to get there! ( :
Listen, the Manager and owner of all things in the universe, Jesus Christ, has already provided the breakthrough blessing for you! You just have to press into it and receive it by faith!
God Bless, Pastor Quinn