*TOPIC: AVOID DWELLING ON YOUR PAST.*(Series 8) *Scripture Reading:* Philippians 3:14-16 *"I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us stay true to what we have already attained."*(AMP) Continuation from where we stopped yesterday. When we see the phrase "to forget" in the Bible, it means no longer to be influenced by or affected by. Forgetting those things which are behind simply means *we break the power of the past by living for the future.* We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past. We should no longer look on the things of the past in such a way that they will impede our future progress. We have seen the reality of our past and we know we can replace our perspective of our past by focusing on the future. *3) Rebound from your past:* "If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:" "circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;" "as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless." "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." What is interesting about these the above scriptures phrases is that in the original Greek, they are all the same exact word. *This is the key as to how apostle Paul was able to overcome his past. Just as he once chased Christians and hounded them and sought after them to put them in jail, to persecute them and to execute them - with the same vigor he now chases after the things of God.* Gentlemen, do you want to know how to forget your past? *Start chasing after the things of God the same way you used to chase after women.* Ladies, do you want to know how to forget your past? *Start talking about the things of God the same way you used to talk about what your neighbor was wearing.* To be continue tomorrow morning by God's Grace. Good morning and do have a great day, peace. *Prayer point:* Lord Jesus, reposition me in the way of making impact in life rather than dwelling on my past in Jesus Christ name. Amen! T.S. AFOLAYAN