From this day forward
A person through exercising the will may be able to change certain “bad” habits or course of their life but permanent changes can be made through Jesus. You may change your eternal destiny by giving your heart to the Lord.

Phil.3:[13] 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 would like to encourage you today to forget the past and go forward for the Lord. Forgetting the past failures as they will discourage you and bring you down. Forgetting the past successes as they can make you complacent. Always living one day at a time with every morning bringing a clean slate. Making a determination each morning that you will serve the Lord and make progress  for the cause of Jesus Christ.

The old English word for “from this day forward” is henceforth. I would like to look at some awesome passages in the New Testament referencing “henceforth”.

Acts.18:[6] And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

On three recorded occasions the Apostle Paul went first to the Jews with the gospel and was rejected. Once in Antioch, once in Corinth and then finally in Rome. As the Jews en masse continued to reject the gospel the door opened wider and wider to the Gentiles. After the rejection in Corinth the Apostle Paul told the crowd the words recorded in Acts 18:6.
What a joyous thing for us. Now as I sit here almost 2,000 years later and glory that the Lord saved me by His grace. The door is wide open for any person who will give their heart to the Lord and receive His free gift of salvation. I encourage you from this day forward to give your life to Jesus Christ.
Ask God to forgive your sins and open the door of your heart and ask Jesus to come in and take control of your life. He paid the price and gave His life on the cross and suffered the pains of Hell so that we do not have to.

Rom.6:[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

After giving your heart to the Lord you become His servant. No longer living a life with your desires being the driving force behind your actions but surrendering each day to His will. Every day a clean slate with a determination by the power of the Holy Spirit to make it count for the Lord.

2Cor.5:[15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
[16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.

Each day, from this day forward, becoming a little more like Jesus in our attitude, in our interactions with others, and reactions to the situations that come our way. Showing the love of Jesus in the things we say and do for others.

Eph.4:[14] That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Each day, from this day forward, through careful study of the Scriptures and application of them to our lives we become stronger in our faith and steadfast in the hope given us by the Lord.

Eph 4:[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
[18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
[19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
[20] But ye have not so learned Christ;
[21] If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
[24] And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
[26] Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
[27] Neither give place to the devil.
[28] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
[29] Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
[32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Each day, from this day forward, being honest and loving. Doing what is right. Resisting the devil. Being kindhearted toward others. Determining to lift others up and not to bring them down.

2Tim.4:[8] Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Each day, from this day forward, encouraged with the knowledge that there is a reward for those who seek to follow Jesus. Encouraged with the knowledge He is coming back to get you. Encouraged with the knowledge that this life isn’t all there is but we have a home reserved for us.

Gal.6:[17] From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

Each day, from this day forward, not allowing men to hurt you or discourage you. Just moving forward for the Lord.