DAILY ENCOUNTER

PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL

"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

Glory to God! Today is the last day of October, and we just had a wonderful time at the Breakout concert 2026 yesterday, 30th October. It is a good time to look back and thank God for His faithfulness and also to look forward with fresh determination to keep moving forward into what God will have us become even before the end of the year. Our opening scripture is one of those challenging scriptures from the renowned Apostle Paul, who was in prison when he wrote this letter, and yet he was not discouraged. He had planted churches, performed miracles, and written letters that would last for centuries, yet he said, 'I count not myself to have apprehended.' He did not believe he had arrived. A believer who thinks he has arrived has stopped growing. Then he says, 'This one thing I do.' Not these twenty things, but this one thing. Focus is powerful. Many people are worn out, not because they are doing too little, but because they are scattered in too many directions. Paul had one thing: to press on toward what God had called him to do. When a man has one thing, he can run with all his strength. When he has many things, he runs in circles. The enemy loves distraction, for a distracted believer will not fulfil his or her destiny.

To press on, he had to forget what was behind. Paul had a past that could have stopped him, because he had persecuted the church and been responsible for the suffering of many believers. He also had a past of success that could have made him proud. Both can keep us from moving forward. If you are still burdened by yesterday's failures, you will not be able to move forward with strength. And if you are still focused on yesterday's victories, you will not be able to embrace the new things God has prepared. Forgetting does not mean pretending it never happened; it means refusing to let it control your direction. Then he speaks of 'reaching forth', like a runner leaning forward with every muscle stretched towards the finish line. Notice that the prize is the 'high calling of God in Christ Jesus'. It is not a prize that the world can give. As we enter a new month tomorrow, let us leave behind what needs to be left behind, and let us stretch forward with focus and determination. Keep going, keep your eyes forward, and keep fighting. A runner who keeps looking back will stumble, and a runner who stops to admire the crowd will lose the race. The Christian race is won by those who endure to the end. Keep pressing on. Hallelujah!!!

FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Isaiah 43:18-19 

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What past failure or success do I need to let go of so that I can press on with God's purpose?
2. What is the 'one thing' that God has called me to focus on in this season?

PRAYERS

Father, thank You for Your word. Help me to forget the things that are behind and press on toward the prize of Your high calling in Jesus's name. Amen.