This One Thing

     “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”       2 Corinthians 9:8  NASB

       Have fear, failure, doubt, or discouragement filled your life this past year?  The Apostle Paul tells us: put those things behind you and press on forward. 

We all can use a “do over” from time to time. 

Read:  Philippians 3:13,14

I.  Overcoming  The Past 

*  always looking back and fretting over the past is not worth taking

     time away from the present or the future

*  the past is passed, so let’s get past it !

            2 Corinthians 5:17  defeat comes from dwelling on the past

*  how do we get beyond the past?  v.13  by reaching forward *

*  especially in the Christian life               *( Paul’s regret- Acts 7:57,58 )

            Luke 9:62  you can not plow a field looking backward

*  by focusing forward, the danger of getting tripped is gone

*  be convinced in your mind of what is right

            John 9:25 was blind / now can see-  (v.11 , 27)

*  satan would like to paralyze your effective service to the Lord

II.  Honor The Lord

            Luke 10:38-42  what then should be our priority ?

*  Martha was busy doing,  but Mary was doing what was important

            Matthew 22:37-40  the essence of reaching forward

            Psalms 27:4  David speaks of spiritual focus

*  serving has to be done,  but worship must take priority

*  otherwise it’s too easy to become discouraged

*  it can also become easy to quit and or/  give up

            2 Corinthians 4:17,18  the physical things will pass away

*  take charge of your life to live abundantly in God’s Grace !

*  focus on what makes a difference for both now, and eternity