As we cross the threshold into a new year, ask the Lord to give you a new beginning of obedience. I'm not sure exactly why, but when I was just a teenager, Philippians chapter 3 became my favorite chapter of the Bible.

As a matter of fact, I, through the years I spent so much time in Philippians Chapter 3,

it really has just become very dear and precious to me and committed to memory now.

There's a certain section of Philippians Chapter 3 that I think is most appropriate for this time of year as we are trying

to move beyond the past and end to everything that God has for us. The Apostle Paul wrote in

Philippians chapter 3 beginning in verse 13. He says, brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended.

But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind

and reaching forth under those things which are before, I pressed toward the mark for the

prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Now, stay with me for a moment because most

of the time, as we begin a brand new year especially, we emphasize reaching

to the future and pressing toward the mark. But notice the divine order. He doesn't begin with

reaching or pressing. He begins with forgetting. Most people can never get to the reaching or

the pressing because they've never learned how to truly forget.

You see, everybody has a past, and everybody has to learn to get past their past. If you don't,

you'll get stuck there for the rest of your life. You can't live in the present, and you can't

become what God wants you to be in the future, as long as you're living in yesterday. And so,

when you come to

philippians chapter three the apostle paul under inspiration of the holy spirit gives us i

think one of the great secrets to really enjoying the journey and that is that the journey is much

more enjoyable with as little baggage as possible permit me to call it today the luggage of life

you know as a traveler i've learned that it's best to travel light.

Luggage just slows you down and weighs you down,

...