Doing This One Thing

We have entered a new year, and as always, some will make resolutions to ensure they have a better year than the previous one. They will make resolutions to earn a degree, lose weight, get in shape, eat healthier, make more money, and the list goes on and on.

Last night as my wife and I prayed, she had a vision of a demarcation between 2025 and 2026. This vision seemed to say, “step into the new year and leave the old one behind.”

As I prayed this morning, the Lord highlighted some things that would be detrimental to my walk with the Lord. Things that would keep me from entering the new year with a fresh mindset. I was reminded of the apostle Paul’s focus to please the Lord, and letter to the church in Philippi.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV

I like the KJV version better.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 3:13-14 KJV

As I meditated upon these truths, I realized there were some things in my heart that had slipped passed me or that I had buried in my defense mechanism, and the Father highlighted them because He did not want me to take those things into this new year and season.  

Like Paul the apostle, I too must forget the things which are behind and press toward the “mark” (goal) of the high calling of God in Christ, which is conforming to His likeness.

You and I cannot move forward if we are looking in the rearview mirror or are bogged down with weights the Lord never intended us to carry. We must set our gaze upon our Lord and Savior, and things which are above where He sits at the right hand of God.

The writer of Hebrews said it this way:

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

This should be the goal of every true believer. Looking unto Jesus as our role model, our example. As we gaze upon Him, the Father will continue to transform us day by day into His likeness.

What things can we lay aside this year? Could it be unforgiveness, pride, selfishness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, ungodliness, or any other works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Why would we want to bring those things into this new year, a year destined to be our most fruitful and glorious year, as we cleave to the Lord and walk with Him daily.  

As we enter this new year, let us examine our hearts to be sure we are walking in the light, being transparent with the Lord, and seeking His  help to forget what is  behind, so we can  focus on the things He has for us ahead. If we do these things, we will look back at the end of this year, and praise God for all the wonderful things He has done through our obedience to forget the past and to press on for the prize we have in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Spend time asking the Father to show you anything in your heart that hinders you from walking in all He has for you. Do not settle for a mediocre Christian life. Go all out for the Lord! Be a witness in word and deed! Share Christ with those around you.

Do not make a halfhearted resolution you will not keep, but a commitment, and firm decision to follow Christ with all your heart. Doing so will take a renewed love for Him and His word. He is worthy of your all.

Until next time, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ bless and keep you always.

James Brown

CST 01/01/2026