Moving Forward

““Courage does not always roar. Sometimes it is a quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” - Unknown

Overview: The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians during his first Roman imprisonment, about A.D. 61. Paul established the church at Philippi during his first missionary journey and maintained a close relationship with the church throughout his life. In his writing, Paul encouraged the church to live in a spirit of unity and steadfastness. Keep in mind, Paul is in prison while writing this letter and he charges the church to “rejoice in the Lord” (3:1). In Philippians 3, Paul goes on to express that knowing Christ is greater than any experience or achievement of his life. He speaks of pressing on to know Him more, moving forward in fulfilling the call of God on his life, and his citizenship in heaven. Oh, that we too would be able to declare these same things with such passion, disregarding our present circumstances, whatever they may be!

Memory verse: Philippians 3:10 – that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

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. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
 
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Confession: The most valuable thing to me in the world is my relationship with Jesus Christ. Because this is so important to me, I will rejoice, if for no other reason, than because I know Him personally! I will continue to pursue Him and I will keep my mind fixed on Him. I will continue to press forward to the things that are ahead for me in Him. I love Him!

THOUGHTS...INSIGHT...What is the Lord saying to me? Leave a comment below.