MidWeek 1

1/5/2022 First MidWeek

6 F’s to Finish Well in 2022–No, 7 F’s

#1 FORGET

Philippians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,”

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.13.NLT

To look what lies ahead can be a weighty matter especially if there is clutter in our lives.

-Clutter between God, other people, and myself

-Clutter like…? Let’s see what Ephesians says.

Ephesians‬ ‭4:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.31.NLT

So how do we do this?

That leads us to point 2:

#2 FORGIVE

Forgiveness is a key to life…

Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Instead (of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words), be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/eph.4.32.NLT

Think about it…

Forgiveness is part of our daily life.

Matthew‬ ‭6:9-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

9“Pray like this:

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us today the food we need,

12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

FORGIVENESS releases us from a snare that will push the Kingdom of God away—

the Tag in verse 14 has a guaranteed promise that is rich from Father.

14“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.6.9-14.NLT

Letting go of the clutter redeems our lives.

Letting go of the clutter every day—makes our footprint lighter, softer, and merrier along the way.

That leads us to point 3:

#3 FOCUS FORWARD (Okay that is actually

4 F’s Lol!

Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

12 “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Focusing Forward is all about the Journey NOT the destination.

Thus we forget the past and then turn forward for the next turn in the road to discover the the next adventure.

13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,

There is an End ahead of us!

One that we press into.

One that we are destined to obtain.

It is God’s gift to us.

It’s what we have been Called For!

14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/php.3.12-14.NLT

This year…

Whatever has been our clutter in 2021, 2020 or before such as:

loss of job,

death of a loved one,

divorce,

damaged relationship,

missed expectations,

conflict at work such as a loss of respect from our boss,

a financial blunder

We can’t carry it any further into 2022.

Forgiveness is the cutting loose of those ties that keep us tethered to the weight.

Refocusing our mind to take steps to continue to “Trust God in every situation” is the Journey.

We can’t pray it away.

We can’t sidestep it.

We must press forward

“Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will not fear for you are with me…”

FAITH OVER FEAR Continues to be the motto of Christ Followers.

Before and After COVID

We can Trust and Follow through any storm!

James‬ ‭1:2-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

https://bible.com/bible/116/jas.1.5.NLT

PRAYER