Press On

Life is a challenge for everyone and total effort for some. We need to examine why our Creator placed us here and what direction He has given to sustain us in our present environment.

Philippians 3:12

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

Paul faced rejection, imprisonments and physical and spiritual hurdles. However he finished his race with real grace and purpose. The lesson left to us is, “we can do it also.”

Gary

Awake

When I was going through school, my mother was the alarm clock and motivation to wake up and get going. Hard to awaken when you are in a deep sleep. However, that can also be true spiritually.

Romans 13:11

 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed..

It is time to wake up to the fact that believers are on a journey home and we can see the porch light from here.

Think about it.

Gary

Prepare

Life should be made up of short term responsibilities and long term goals. In the following verse of Scripture, Paul was facing winter and was dependent on others to help him be prepared for this certain event. 

2 Timothy 4:21

Do your utmost to come before winter.

Others are dependent on us to help make the future doable. That is our word for today, “others”.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Opposition

The Syrians were wrong about the power of God exerted on behalf of the Lord’s people in opposing situations. He is not just there when things are going well but also when things are falling apart.

1 Kings 20:28 

Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “The Lord is God of the hills, but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’ ”

Don’t let the enemy disturb you because you are in a down time. There is no difference in His presence whether life is pleasant or difficult. Look to Him and not the opposition.

The challenging times are the opportunities to prove God is a reality.

Gary

Solid Foundation

If hope doesn’t have a solid foundation, it’ll fall apart. In building hope on the promises of God there are eternal rewards. As the song states, “On Christ the solid rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand.”

Isaiah 40:31

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

As dark as some days can present themselves, behind those clouds is a silver lining.

Think about it.

Gary

Be Strong

What lies ahead for all of us is going to require discipline, sacrifice and hard work, but it is very doable. Here is Paul’s advice to a church facing a similar situation.

2 Timothy 2:1-7

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endurehardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things. 

Be strong, be engaged and consider these truths because there is a tremendous crown waiting at the end of this journey.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Gospel

Is it about us or the Gospel?

James 4:14

Like the verse asks, What is your life?

Paul made it very clear.

Phil 1:12-14

 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,  so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;  and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear..

“I’ll say this for adversity: people seem to be able to stand it, that’s more than I can say for prosperity.”Kin Hubbard

God bless you,

Gary