-Strength for Today- “An Attitude with a Strong Determination.” - Philippians 3:13-14.

We’ve?come to the edge?an integral part of our journey. So, as God grace carries us to?“a gate of time that’s noted as 2021,”?we can look back and shout with exceeding joy?as the songwriter says:?“We’ve?come this far by faith, leaning on the Lord, trusting in His Holy Word,?He’s?never left us yet...”??Attesting to the fact that, “the year 2021 had it’d share of dark and gloomy days.”?

?But through them all, we can look back with?“delightful assurance?“knowing that,?“a faith that has been tested is a faith that can be trusted!”?So, instead of looking backwards,?to a season,?“that’s now quantified as history,”?it’s?time to start looking upward,”?regardless?“of how dark and gloomy circumstances might’ve seemed,” because?“it?has to?be dark for the stars to appear.?

Therefore, the answer for such times?is that?“we celebrate the innumerable mercies of God throughout the new year,”?and?“continue striving to give glory to our great Savior in all that we do.”?And?reverently heed the request of our Saviour and:?“...Seek?first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,”?(Matthew 6:33a), and when the acknowledgment of willful obedience,?“God will always provide just what we need.” -6:33b?

With that?‘blessed assurance”?we can face life’s?“undaunting circumstances,”?because our faith in God?“is bigger than any “situation?that’ll?ever cross the path?of?2022”. So, as the year?“ticks gently with the rhythm of our hearts,”?let’s pray that?“every beat of our hearts is entangled with Paul’s confidence,”?when he said:?“Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly?call in Christ Jesus”?-Philippians 3: 13-14.?

Two things jump out here:?

???1:?A time to remember,?and?

???2. A time to forget.?

I say this because?“an?interest in the past”?may help us to?“understand the present”?and “prepare for the future.”?Because?“when we strain for the righteousness of God,”?even in depressing times, “faith in Christ Jesus,”?and?“the inward workings of?the Holy Spirit,”?shows us even as?we?“stand at the edge season of the?noted year?of 2021,?that?the?promises of God that are plain:?

??A.??“...no-one shall pluck us out of the Father's hand,” (John 10:28b),??

??B.??“He will complete the?good work?that he has begun in us,”?(Philippians 1:6),??

?C. He shall renew our youth like the eagle's,”?(Psalm 103:5),?

?D.??even though?“the outward man is perishing, the inner man is being renewed,”?(2 Corinthians 4:16).??

?E.?They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be?fresh and?flourishing,?(Psalm 92:14).??At this very moment, Because of Christ Jesus,?we’ve?given the authority “to carry these promises throughout each day of this season?that’s?being blissfully introduced to us!??

From the staff at?“Strength for Today Ministries,” we’re?wishing each of you a Happy, and healthy 2022 New Year. And?“may this year find you exceedingly prosperous in God’s divine favor.”Author: Plez Loveladt, Jr., PhD

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