If I am going to be a victorious believer in today's world, then I must continue to follow the guidelines in the Bible.  If I am going to walk forward without failure or despair, then I must heed the words of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:13, "But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before."

Paul has learned the secret of a happy Christian life.  He was too busy pressing toward the mark that Christ had placed before him to become entangled with the cares of yesterday.  God commands us to forget the things which are behind us.  He knows that any "looking back causes us to stumble in the present."

Luke 9:62 says that "No man having put his hand to the plow and looking back (living in the past) is fit (capable) for the kingdom of God."

Proverbs 4:23 also says to "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are all the issues of life."  This says "above all else" - we are to guard our hearts.  We are to keep our hearts free from the hurts and fears of the past and to keep emotional turmoil out.  This is a necessity because the last part of the verse states that all the issues of our lives come out of our hearts.

This means that I live this very day in either a good or bad way depending on the dictates of my heart.  This also means that I need to allow inner healing to touch my heart and emotions.  I can be released from the imprints of the past.  The Holy Spirit's healing will allow me to forget the past and to move forward in confidence.

1.  Is the voice you are hearing consistent with the Word?  God's voice never conflicts with the Word of God.

2.  Does it conflict with human reasoning?  Is it reasonable?  God's voice is not necessarily reasonable to the world because the world's system is different.

3.  Does it clash with my fleshly desire?  God's will or voice does not gratify the flesh, but will gratify the Spirit.

4.  Will this challenge my faith?

5.  Does this call for courage?

6.  Does this cause me to think of the effect on others?  Am I concerned about my influence on others - will I be harsh, crude, or careless?  I must yield to Him, love others, carry their burdens at times, die to self, and learn to be patient.

7.  When God speaks, He makes me consider future consequences - Satan does not!

The great prophet Isaiah said that "Jesus was wounded for the wrong that you did. The punishment, which made you well, was given to him, and you are healed because of his wounds" (Isaiah 53:3-6). Today, we can look to Jesus Christ for our healing and health. We can follow the example of the woman in Mark 5:25-34. She had exhausted all of her means and strength. But, she did not give up!

What Did She Do?

1.  She kept saying, "If I can touch His clothes, I will be whole."

*  She focused her heart on Christ.

*  She acted in faith.

*  She put her faith into action.

*  She kept speaking faith-filled words.

2.  She did not stop believing and walking in faith for her miracle.

We Must Not Stop Believing and Persevering in Faith - -

Jesus said, "If you have faith as small as a grain of mustard seed, you can speak to this mountain, and it will move and obey you. Nothing will be impossible to you."