A Touch Of Grace Broadcast

Buckle Up!

Philippians 3:13–16 TPT

13 I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14 I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. 16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.

Past: gone by in time and no longer existing:

Future: at a later time; going or likely to happen or exist

The Strategy of the enemy: to hold us hostage of past failures

So we have the enemy Reminding us of our Past

We have ourselves tripping over our present situations

Jesus who’s pointing us to our future

This is why we have to buckle up, Our future is brighter than our past

So as we read the beginning of this text Apostle Paul is exhorting them to rejoice.

Philippians 3:1–4a

Rejoicing is an activity we choose to do; it is not an emotion. If we choose to rejoice, it means we are choosing not to do something else. Paul here gives us a key insight into life that we cannot afford to miss.

Philippians 3:1–4a

God, in His infinite wisdom, has ordained things to work a certain way. One of those things concerns our attitude or focus in life. If we are truly rejoicing and thankful for God’s provision, we cannot complain or be resentful. It doesn’t work that way; this is by design. What comes out of our mouths (for better or worse) is an indicator of what is going on in our hearts

Matthew 15:18 TPT

18 But what comes out of your mouth reveals the core of your heart. Words can pollute, not food.

Luke 6:43–45 TPT

43 “You’ll never find choice fruit hanging on a bad, unhealthy tree. And rotten fruit doesn’t hang on a good, healthy tree. 44 Every tree will be revealed by the quality of fruit that it produces. Figs or grapes will never be picked off thorn trees. 45 People are known in this same way. Out of the virtue stored in their hearts, good and upright people will produce good fruit. But out of the evil hidden in their hearts, evil ones will produce what is evil. For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words.

Philippians 3:1–4a

What do our words say about our attitude, heart, and focus?

Philippians 3:1–4a

This mutual exclusivity is a great thing for us. If we focus our efforts on rejoicing in God and in His provision, we are at the same time guarding against things that rob us of our joy. This is why Paul is able to characterize rejoicing as a safeguard; he understood how God has wired us.

Philippians 3:1–4a

It’s like the old saying that “the best defense is a good offense.” Choosing to go on the offensive by rejoicing in the midst of hardship is the single greatest defense from the things that make us turn away from God.

Philippians 3:1–4a

Rejoicing as a Safeguard: Paul begins the chapter by again commanding the Philippians to rejoice. It is one of the most critical things they can do to guard their hearts against discouragement.

Philippians 3:1–4a

It’s not just a good idea, it is a safeguard specifically designed by God for this purpose. How does it work? If I am choosing to rejoice in the Lord whatever my circumstances or situation, it will be nearly impossible to grumble and complain about them. It is an either/or proposition

In Verse 13 Paul Shifts the conversation to

This is One thing I Do

TPT: I do have one compelling focus

The Passion Translation: New Testament Chapter 3

I forget all of the past

Lets be honest not all our past is bad, but even that he’s forgetting.

When you get into a motor vehicle a few things you definitely have:

Side mirrors & rear view mirror

Front Window:

In order to get to your destination you must focus on whats in front of you.

Ive been distracted at times when i thought someone was following me.

I’ve been distracted by moving forward, listening to my GPS and talking with someone on the phone

In both instances it hindered me getting off the right exit..

or missing my turn or turning premature and having to reroute

Sometimes we can become skeptical in making moves because:

Past mistakes

Past hurts

Not wanting to look foolish

Fear

2. Paul Says,

The Passion Translation: New Testament Chapter 3

I fasten my heart to the future instead

I’ll say it like this Buckle Up!!

talk about fasten my heart to the future

Fasten: close or join securely

• (fasten something on/upon) direct one's eyes, thoughts, feelings, etc., intently at

Your future is right ahead of you

Run Strait for the divine Invitation of reaching the heavenly goal

gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus

The Passion Translation: New Testament Chapter 3

15 So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires,d God will reveal it to them.

The Passion Translation: New Testament Chapter 3

16 And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion.

One Path One Passion: