Morning by Morning, July 8, 2026 — “One Thing:” Forgetting the Past to Press On to the Future
Good morning, Lord Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit as I open Your Word and listen for Your leading. …
“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).
When the Apostle Paul says, “one thing I do,” whatever follows those words must be very important.
He didn’t say things like: “One thing I do, I try harder” or “One thing I do, I read the Bible more” or “One thing I do, I pray longer” or “One thing I do, I give more money to the poor” or “One thing I do, I spend more time serving at the church” or even, “One thing I do, I go preach the gospel in more places to more people and write more letters to more believers to encourage more faithfulness and discipleship.”
All of those are good things, important things, even Spirit-led and spiritually fruitful things. But those are not the things he states here, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as the “one thing.”
His “one thing” is “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”
Why is that so important? So critical? Such a priority?
Because we can get stuck on our spiritual journey:
We can get stuck in the past of our failures and sins, our regrets and mistakes, overcome and overwhelmed in shame by the things we have done that were less than Your will.
We can also get stuck in the past of our wounds of rejection or abuse, injustices and afflictions, bound up in bitterness or resentment, overcome and overwhelmed in shame by the things that were done to us.
We can also get stuck in the past of our own reliance on self, in our own form of control and pride, depending on our own achievements and accomplishments, thinking it comes from own wisdom and strength, our own talents and abilities, as if it were all apart from You, overcome and overwhelmed by the never-ending burden of constantly depending up ourselves to live in the agonizing fear of failure.
Through the Apostle Paul, Your Word says, “Let it go.” “Forget what lies behind so you can take hold of all You have for us now.”
This is not denial. This is not taking on some form of spiritual amnesia to forget the facts of our past. But it is saying, “My past will not define my identity or determine my destiny.” It is saying, “My God has redeemed it all, even causing it all to work together for good in me and my life, despite my past and even using my past for His glory.”
Thank You, Lord! I don’t have to live a day stuck in regret or resentment or reliance upon myself. I can take hold of You because You’ve taken hold of me. As the Apostle Paul declared, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).
Now, I am in You and You are in me. You are setting me free from everything that would hold me back from being all You have created me to be. By the power of Your grace, I’m forgetting the past and pressing on to the future.
In You, I’m not a victim; I’m victorious! I’m not overcome; I’m an overcomer! I’m not conquered; I’m more than a conqueror! You’ve saved me and raised me up out of my past and positioned me to advance into all You have more me and all You desire to do through me. To God alone be the glory! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Be encouraged this day. In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays
My friend, may you let go of the past and press on to all God has for you now to the glory of God in and through your life, in Jesus' name. God bless you, my friend! And you have a great day!
Click Here to Listen to Today's Prayer: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2375760
Tommy Hays | Messiah Ministries
502 North Milam Street
Fredericksburg, Texas 78624
Please share this word to encourage a friend! Anyone can sign up for free at: https://messiah-ministries.org
My Books on Inner Healing, Spiritual Freedom and Spiritual Intimacy with God are Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tommyhays
“Setting hearts free to be all you were created to be —Free to Be Like Jesus— secure in your identity, growing in maturity, fulfilling your destiny"
https://messiah-ministries.org/partner/contribute | 
