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Philippians 3:12-14

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. 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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Personal Challenge…

Our lives in Christ are never to be static. We have the need, the expectation, to always be in forward motion toward that goal of eternal life that God has laid out before us. This goal is not some tangible or physical object, but the likeness of Christ. Our pressing on is that struggle we have every moment, every breath, to break away from our temporal desires and passions and to pursue our God. It is not about gaining stuff, or wisdom, or recognition. To the contrary it is about putting off all of that and putting on Christ. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 29:28

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Personal Challenge…

God has revealed to us all that we need to know about Him in His scriptures, His Son, and the teachings and traditions of the Church. We must be very careful to not go down the path of attempting to learn His secret things. He has chosen not to reveal these things to us and pursuing them leads to heresy and error. He wants us to pursue Him and to live out what He has revealed to us and commanded us to do so that He will be glorified and His kingdom expanded.

1 Peter 3:8-12

Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. For

“He who would love lifeAnd see good days,Let him refrain his tongue from evil,And his lips from speaking deceit.Let him turn away from evil and do good;Let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,And His ears are open to their prayers;But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Personal Challenge…

Oh, how easy it is for me to slip into the mode of thinking badly about someone in my life and then following that up with talking about them to someone else. And with today’s advent of “social media” I am provided more fuel for the fire that my tongue ignites. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. My challenge is the state of my heart and knowing were that fine line is of stepping into a situation and challenging someone when they are harming others or twisting God’s truth to the detriment of others or leaving the situation alone. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

John 15:9-11

As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Encouraging Words..

Esther 4:13-16

And Mordecai said to Hathach, “Go and say to Esther, ‘Do not say to yourself that you alone will be saved in the kingdom apart from all the other Jews. For if you choose not to heed this request at this time, help and deliverance for the Jews will arise elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. Besides, who knows whether it is for this occasion you reign as queen? ‘” Then Esther dispatched the one who came to her to Mordecai, saying, “Go and assemble together the Jews in Susa. Fast for me; do not eat or drink for three full days and three full nights. I and my maids will also fast. Then I will go to the king, contrary to the law, even if I am to perish.”

Encouraging Words…

This passage is such a clear challenge to the concept of predestination. Mordecai makes it clear that God has a plan for His people, and that Esther may have a critical role in that plan. However, he also makes it clear that Esther has a choice and if she chooses not to be a part of this plan then God will find someone else who is willing. God did create us with free will, the ability to choose for ourselves what we want to do. He does not force us to do His will. It is a mystery. However, when we choose to do His will we are blessed. This passage also speaks against individualism in the body of Christ. We need each other. We need to do things throughout life with each other in our Christian community. We are not Lone Rangers. Fellowship and companionship is exhibited in the trinity and should be in our lives as well.

Proverbs 14:30 (14:31 LXX)

A man with a gentle spirit is a healer of the heart,
But a sensual heart is the moth of the bones.

Personal Challenge…
Isn’t it our sensual heart, our heart that is driven by our passions, that causes us to turn from God and to sin. These passions: greed, lust, gluttony, anger, sadness vanity, pride, and acedia are what turn our hearts and our minds toward the enemy. They are then followed by sin and separation from God. Better yet to treat them quickly with a gentle hear and pursue generosity, chaste love, moderation, gentleness, gladness, magnanimity, humility and spiritual awareness so that our heart can be healed.

Psalm 5:11-12 (5:12-13 LXX)

But let all who hope in You be glad;
They will greatly rejoice forever,
For You will dwell in them;
And all who love Your name will boast in You.
For You will bless the righteous;
O Lord, You crowned us with the shield of Your goodwill

Encouraging Words…

Our God is so gracious to us, His children. Not only does He bless us throughout eternity and guide and protect us throughout this life, but He also made it possible for everyone to become one of His children through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. How many religions require works with no true open door to the kingdom of God? Jesus not only opened and became the door, but He knocks on the door of our hearts to bring us to Him.

Psalm 3:3-4 (3:4-7 LXX)

But You, O Lord, are my protector,
My glory and the One who lifts up my head.
I cried to the Lord with my voice,
And He heard me from His holy hill.
I lay down and slept;
I awoke, for the Lord will help me.
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people
Who set themselves against me all around.

Encouraging Words…

“I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me…” What a blessing it is to be in a relationship with our living God. He hears our voices when we call out to Him. He is our protector, our glory, and the One who lifts us up. Not only will He help us, but He will guard us from those who attack us in our love for Him. This is not just one sided though. We must also cry out to Him and trust in Him as well.

Colossians 3:23-24

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Personal Challenge…

Sometimes it appears like this commandment has been totally ignored by our modern church membership. Whether it be in the workplace, our homes, our places of worship, or wherever, we are to do everything in a way that glorifies our God. This is especially important in our work within the body of Christ. We are His servants, His workers, and if the body is to thrive we must do all with great diligence and commitment.

Mark 9:32-35

But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Personal Challenge…

Servanthood! That occupation, that way of being that all of us in Christ are called to. By being a servant we put others first and begin the process of fulfilling the great commandment to love God and others.