Today is the first day of a New Year

Paul in Philippians 3:13-15 gives us a method to approach the New Year.  The first thing he said is to forget those things that are behind.  We need to forget our past life.  Jesus can give us peace in the past.  Paul had to forget about his past life of persecuting Christians.

The next thing for approaching the New Year is to forget past shortcoming.  We cannot do anything about the past.  Move to the present.  

Reach forth unto those things that are before.   Some of the things that are before us are the promise of Salvation, the fruits and the gifts of the spirit and peace that only God can give.

Then, press toward the mark.  Pressing involves desire, determination, and dedication to achieve. Of the high calling in Christ Jesus. 

Paul discussed life as a race.  Forget the ground I have already covered.   Reach forth to the ground before us.  Lay aside every weight would hold us back.

For the New Year, forget those things that are behind, reach forth to those things that are before, and press to the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.