Releasing the Past, Embracing God's Future

Open by taking 2-3 minutes to pray and ask God to speak to you today through your devotional time.    

Read Philippians 3. Be sure to highlight or note anything that stands out to you while you read.  

After reading the passage, take the next 5-10 minutes and spend time reflecting on what you read. You can write these things down in a journal or record them in your phone. Be attentive to both what you highlighted in the passage and what is going on in your life.  

Paul's words in Philippians remind us that our past doesn't define our future in Christ. Just as Paul counted his impressive achievements as loss compared to knowing Christ, we too are called to release whatever hinders us from fully embracing God's call. Reflect on what you might need to "forget" to strain toward what God has for you. Are there past failures, hurts, or even successes that are keeping you from fully surrendering to God's purpose?  

Now, take 10 minutes to seek God in prayer…  

1. Begin your time in prayer by taking 1-3 minutes to sit in silence (You can take longer if you sense the Spirit already beginning to speak to you).    
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify these areas and give you the strength to release them. Remember, in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your identity and worth are found in Him, not in your past or achievements. Today, choose to focus on the "prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
3. Close by taking 5 minutes to sit in silence, asking God if there is anything else He wants to speak to you today.