Verse of the Day - weekend 6/26

Through the Bible - Jeremiah 51-52, Joel 1-3, Philippians 3-4

 

Good morning,

One thing that I'm sure that you've realized by now is that life is full of all kinds of setbacks.  We can experience setbacks in a building project, a career, or even taking a trip on a vacation.   We experience setbacks in a recovery process, whether it is the economy, a health issue, or spiritually.  The question is what do we do with those setbacks.  How do I approach and deal with them.

 

This weekend's New Testament reading brings us to Philippians 3 where we find some encouraging and challenging words from Paul who knew something about setbacks.  If you are not familiar with them, read chapter 3.  For today's verse Paul encourages his readers, even us, to "press on".

 

Philippians 3:13-14

English Standard Version (ESV)

¹³Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I believe it was Artie Johnson on "Laugh In" that used to say "keep a go'n'".  That may be called encouragement.  But true encouragement lies in being pointed to the proper goal and to know the one who is providing the encouragement.  As mentioned earlier, Paul had gone through a lot, we could take it from him, but he also pointed to the fact that the ultimate goal is reached through faith in Jesus Christ.  He will see you through to finish the work, the race, and win the prize.

 

If you're down in the valley due to a setback may you be able to press on to new heights through faith in Christ.  In preparation for worship this weekend, consider the old hymn "Higher Ground".

 

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

• Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
  By faith on Canaan's tableland;
  A higher plane than I have found,
    Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
Though some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

I want to live above the world,
Though Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound,
The song of saints on higher ground.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Philippians 3:12-21

New Living Translation (NLT)

Pressing toward the Goal

 ¹² I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

 ¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. ¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

 ¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. ¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.