Current Devotional
january/february 2024
A FRESH START!
Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 KJV
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things
which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As we move forward into the first months of the year these words written by the Apostle Paul are so relevant to our lives today
and they provide the format or outline for moving forward and being successful in every area of our life!
He gives three points, in your walk and creation of a brand new you. The first (1) point is realizing that we may not be able to apprehend.
That word apprehend defined by the Oxford Languages means to “understand or perceive,” also “To seize," "grasp," "take into one's possession.”
He was saying this upon reflection of his past and his present relationship and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a question that many of us ask
from time to time and that is “why did I have to go through what I went through to get here.” Sometimes the joys and the sorrows, the ups and
the downs in our lives just do not make sense. I know that I was not perfect, and I made mistakes but instead of being stuck in the past trying
to explain, the unexplainable Paul said that “I count not myself to have apprehended.” In other words, I realize that I was not as
smart as I thought I was! I had the training; I have studied under the best teachers, but I made mistakes, but I cannot stay there!
No more regrets, no more explanations, no more trying to pay back things that you cannot put a price on!
No more in 2024. Like the Apostle Paul you must be determined to move forward, ask God for forgiveness of your past! “Turn it loose and let it go.”
When you turn it loose, when you cut the ties, you are now ready for the second point (2) and that is “forgetting those
things which are behind”. In this second point, Paul is saying that we should leave behind in the past the parts of our lives that keep us from our
devotion to Jesus. Any sin or selfishness that distracts our hearts from God should be deliberately laid aside, covered by the
cleansing power of His shed blood and we should daily reach for holiness and righteousness. My brothers and sisters, we are all still a work in progress!!
God is still working on all of us – The third point (3) and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul is somewhat envisioning a runner that is on a track and as they get closer to the
finish line or goal they will reach forth, lean forward, press forward to what is before them – to site a quote from Rick Rinner he says – “As he
the runner approaches the goal in front of him, he reaches out and presses toward the goal before him. Straining with every
ounce of his being, he stretches out and presses toward the finish line. Finally, he leans forward to lay hold upon the goal — the finish line.
If the runner is to reach the goal and receive the cherished prize, he must give his absolute best effort to the race. He can reach
the finish line and win the prize, but it will not happen without a firm commitment to be the best — nor will it occur unless he possesses a willingness
to push harder than any of the other runners. This prize will go only to those who are the most determined and who have pushed the hardest!”
Beloved I encourage you this month to realize that when you do not understand, ask God for knowledge and wisdom,
let go of the weights of the past that will keep you down and depressed, let it go and by faith run the race! Run the race by faith,
run with commitment, run being willing to “push harder” and be willing to receive the prize!
This month starts a “Brand New” you a Fresh Start in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Speak over your life today: “Fresh Start in Christ Jesus”!
Pastor Terrence Melvin!!
and they provide the format or outline for moving forward and being successful in every area of our life!
He gives three points, in your walk and creation of a brand new you. The first (1) point is realizing that we may not be able to apprehend.
That word apprehend defined by the Oxford Languages means to “understand or perceive,” also “To seize," "grasp," "take into one's possession.”
He was saying this upon reflection of his past and his present relationship and salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a question that many of us ask
from time to time and that is “why did I have to go through what I went through to get here.” Sometimes the joys and the sorrows, the ups and
the downs in our lives just do not make sense. I know that I was not perfect, and I made mistakes but instead of being stuck in the past trying
to explain, the unexplainable Paul said that “I count not myself to have apprehended.” In other words, I realize that I was not as
smart as I thought I was! I had the training; I have studied under the best teachers, but I made mistakes, but I cannot stay there!
No more regrets, no more explanations, no more trying to pay back things that you cannot put a price on!
No more in 2024. Like the Apostle Paul you must be determined to move forward, ask God for forgiveness of your past! “Turn it loose and let it go.”
When you turn it loose, when you cut the ties, you are now ready for the second point (2) and that is “forgetting those
things which are behind”. In this second point, Paul is saying that we should leave behind in the past the parts of our lives that keep us from our
devotion to Jesus. Any sin or selfishness that distracts our hearts from God should be deliberately laid aside, covered by the
cleansing power of His shed blood and we should daily reach for holiness and righteousness. My brothers and sisters, we are all still a work in progress!!
God is still working on all of us – The third point (3) and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul is somewhat envisioning a runner that is on a track and as they get closer to the
finish line or goal they will reach forth, lean forward, press forward to what is before them – to site a quote from Rick Rinner he says – “As he
the runner approaches the goal in front of him, he reaches out and presses toward the goal before him. Straining with every
ounce of his being, he stretches out and presses toward the finish line. Finally, he leans forward to lay hold upon the goal — the finish line.
If the runner is to reach the goal and receive the cherished prize, he must give his absolute best effort to the race. He can reach
the finish line and win the prize, but it will not happen without a firm commitment to be the best — nor will it occur unless he possesses a willingness
to push harder than any of the other runners. This prize will go only to those who are the most determined and who have pushed the hardest!”
Beloved I encourage you this month to realize that when you do not understand, ask God for knowledge and wisdom,
let go of the weights of the past that will keep you down and depressed, let it go and by faith run the race! Run the race by faith,
run with commitment, run being willing to “push harder” and be willing to receive the prize!
This month starts a “Brand New” you a Fresh Start in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) “17 Therefore if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Speak over your life today: “Fresh Start in Christ Jesus”!
Pastor Terrence Melvin!!
Power Moment with Pastor Melvin
Watch as Pastor melvin shares a word from the lord.
Past WeeklyDevotionals
December week 2:
Fear Not
St. Luke 1:29-30 - 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God.
Often times we are intimidated by the size or complexity that can encompass the expression of God’s favor in our lives. You see, whatever God does, he always goes big! It may start out small but when His favor is released upon our life, you can expect great things! Don’t be afraid to try something new, to do things differently as this is the only way you can achieve the desired results! If what you are facing this week is too big for you then it is just right for our God! Don’t fear, don’t back down but meet it head on knowing that the Lord is with you! The love of God is with you! First John 4:18 says: There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. You have been called for such a time as this! Live this week in faith and not in fear!!
December WEEK 1:
Chosen to be Blessed
Luke 1:26-28 - 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Mary was – Chosen to be blessed – In this annunciation of the coming of the messiah Mary was favored by God to be the one that would carry, birth, nurture and protect the son of God. The angel’s statement of Mary being “highly favored” gives us a glimpse into the care and the power of God’s watchful eye. Mary didn’t go looking for this but God chose her. She wasn’t expecting this but God chose her. Understand that God has chosen specific blessings for your life. You may not feel worthy, but God has not only chosen you for who you are now but what you shall become! So live this your life knowing that you are blessed and highly favored by God!! There will be some changes in your life for the good!