Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Philippians 3:1-14

But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. (v.13-14)

In order to move forward with the Lord effectively we need to process our past in prayer, grow through it, learn from it, and then release it into the Lord’s gracious hands and move forward with Him in faith

Take a look back at yesterday’s reflection on the past year and seek to notice the movements of your heart as you prayerfully reflect on all that God has done. What might God be highlighting to you today? Where might He be encouraging you and affirming you? … challenging you and calling you higher? … comforting you and inviting you to receive His healing? …bringing you clarity, revelation or understanding? … inviting you to turn to Him in repentance and to seek transformation, or greater wholeness?

Again asking for the Holy Spirit’s help and guidance, as you look back over your year, ask:

• What were the most significant things to happen to me or within me?
• What have been my greatest, deepest losses?
• What have been my greatest gains, victories, or breakthroughs?
• Where and when have I felt true joy?
• What has troubled me or caused me pain?
• Where and when have I found opportunity for pause and renewal?
• Where have I noticed God’s presence in any of this?
• Where have I struggled to identify God’s presence in any of this?

Now, Lord, I choose to release the year 2023 into Your loving hands. Thank You for all the good (… name it now to the Lord) and thank You for being with me in all the bad (…name it now to the Lord). I choose to release it all – the good and the bad – to You and to Your grace. Please let Your loving will be accomplished in my life through the instrument of my past. Let no past difficulty go to waste, but use it for my good and Your glory . Take my life, grow me, mould me and use me, I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.