Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:7-11

Some people have trouble looking ahead with hope because they keep looking back and moping over the mistakes of the past. Their outlook for the future is dimmed, and their enthusiasm is dampened. Nothing good happens when you cry about the past though. History is likely to repeat itself if you keep brooding over failures of the old year. Don’t grieve for the past. On this day, early in the new year, begin by confessing your sins to the LORD and accepting the gracious forgiveness He offers. Then, press forward with confidence and trust in your heavenly Father. That was Paul’s secret and it worked.

Stop looking back.

With a forward look, move ahead with hope and joy. Instead of living in the shadow of yesterday, walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

Our Daily Bread – January 13, 2004