Acts 3:19 – Repent, then, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. (NIV)

I joined the church as a teenager, giving my heart and life to Christ and promising to walk in His ways. I didn't understand then that I'd just taken the first step on a life journey. I thought that once the magic words were spoken, God would pour into my soul all I needed to know from that day forth. Soon, I discovered that just as bread and water were necessary daily for the renewal of the body, so also spiritual food was needed each day. Even the act of repentance would be necessary again, because I would do things daily for which I needed forgiveness in my life.

Paul had discovered this when he wrote:

Philippians 1:6 – Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Since making the first step on my journey, my commitment, my repentance, and my direction have been renewed many times along the way. There are many lessons to be learned through our mistakes. If perfection were given at the journey's beginning, we would soon give up the trip. With each step forward, each slip backward, and each pain encountered, new shape and knowledge are added to the person being fashioned by the Holy Spirit.

Wherever we may be on the journey, we are still challenged to move forward and partake daily of good spiritual food and drink.

Paul describes it:

Philippians 3:14 – I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, keep us moving forward. To go backward is to slide, and to stop is to grow stale and stagnant. Move us forward toward heaven and reunion with You. Amen.

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