Friday, September 27 - 1 Thessalonians 3

1 Thessalonians 3

New International Version (NIV)

3 So when we could stand it no longer, we thought it best to be left by ourselves in Athens. ² We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, ³ so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. ⁴ In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter had tempted you and that our labors might have been in vain.

Timothy’s Encouraging Report

⁶ But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you. ⁷ Therefore, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. ⁸ For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. ⁹ How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? ¹⁰ Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
¹¹ Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

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UPLIFTED
   How exciting it is when your work is productive.  This year I decided to take the time to carefully prune my apple tree.  Over the last years, it hasn't been that fruit-filled, and I figured it needed a good once-over to help it become more healthy.

   A few months later I was so happy to see how many apples my tree had.  And they were so big and beautiful.

   Paul was excited to hear the good news of the Thessalonian church's spiritual growth.  It encouraged him to know that God's Word and his own efforts at proclaiming it had not fallen on deaf ears.  Quite the contrary, he hears from Timothy that they are "standing firm in the Lord."

   As a pastor I can tell you that there is nothing that brings me greater joy than when I see someone from my "flock" grow in their faith.  It is so exciting when God's Word bears fruit and I witness someone filled with enthusiasm for God, anxious to do His work, reaching out in mission, praying, etc.

  Are you growing?  I hope and pray that you are.  But if you feel a little stagnant might I encourage you to step forth in new ventures -- to take the time not only to be fed by God's Word, but also to touch the lives of others with His love?

   And if something great is happening in your spiritual life, I love hearing about it.  Share it with me please.

   Have a great Friday.
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Thursday, September 26 - 1 Thessalonians 2

1 Thessalonians 2

New International Version (NIV)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2 You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. ² We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. ³ For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. ⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. ⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. ⁶ We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. ⁷ Instead, we were like young children among you.

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WATERED DOWN

   Not long ago, in an effort to lose weight, I decided to lessen my drinking of "sugar" liquids -- specifically, I was a regular customer of iced tea and fruit juices.  So here's what I did:   rather than cut them out of my diet entirely, I watered them down so that I would be drinking about half the amount of sugars.

   In the end, the watered-down version wasn't very appealing.   It's flavor was not what it was intended to be and left me feeling unsatisfied.   I found that it was better for me all around if I simply cut these liquids out of my diet and drank water instead.

   A watered down message of the Bible is a common thing today.  People want to pick and choose what doctrines and teachings they like from God's Word, and edit out or ignore the things they don't like.  Specifically they like the "feel good," "warm fuzzy" stuff, and are not so crazy when the Scriptures challenge their morality or their personal beliefs of "the way things should be."

   The "feel good" message is popular, and is now often the diet offered to people by TV preachers and congregations who seek rapid growth without substance.  But, in truth, the watered-down version usually boils down to encouraging people to believe whatever they want to believe without any accountability to God's truth.   Worship becomes entertainment and the Bible a loose guide for lifting us up when we get frustrated, lonely, or sad.

   It is important for us to not to make God's Word fit into our opinions, but to make our lives conform to the teachings of God's Word.  This is why it is important to read it, study it, ponder it, and discuss it.  We thank God for giving us His truth, for in it we have come to know the Savior who took all of our faults and sins upon Himself and paid the price.  May God's Spirit empower the Word to lead us into the arms of our wonderful Savior and help us to travel down the right path as we serve Him.

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Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, ⁸ so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. ⁹ Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. ¹¹ For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, ¹² encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
¹³ And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews ¹⁵ who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone ¹⁶ in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.

Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

¹⁷ But, brothers and sisters, when we were orphaned by being separated from you for a short time (in person, not in thought), out of our intense longing we made every effort to see you. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—certainly I, Paul, did, again and again—but Satan blocked our way. ¹⁹ For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? ²⁰ Indeed, you are our glory and joy.

Wednesday, September 25 - 1 Thessalonians 1

1 Thessalonians 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

Grace and peace to you.

Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

² We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. ³ We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

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THE WORK OF FAITH
   Sometimes, in my opinion, people have the idea that being a Christian should make life a bed of roses  -- that when we trust in our Savior He magically sustains us in ways that don't involve hard work, daily struggles, and difficult challenges.
    
   In contrast please notice that Paul describes the Thessalonian faith with three words that indicate their diligent efforts to be faithful, to spread God's word, and to face challenges.  (work, labour, endurance)

   There can be no doubt that when a person becomes a Christian the Enemy knows he must do everything he can to try and lead us away from God.  So temptations and difficulties will certainly arise.  

    In addition, Christians who take seriously God's command to "make disciples of all nations" know that those efforts sometimes meet with resistance, hard questions, and disparaging comments.

   Also, serving God by serving others means going out of our way with our time, treasure, and talent.

   Indifference and apathy would certainly be easier.  Faith without works is less demanding.

   But works are an important part of our journey with Christ.  After all, to follow Him means that we seek to emulate His love, shine forth with His priorities, and live as He lived.

   Such a life is impossible without His omnipotent strength and continual forgiveness to keep us going.  Thanks be to God that He is ready to be there by our side.  So, as we run the race we are never alone.  "Lo, I am with you always," He says.  And His love propels us forward and gives us the energy to do our work.

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⁴ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵ because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. ⁷ And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. ⁸ The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, ⁹ for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, ¹⁰ and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

Tuesday, Setember 24 - Colossians 4

Colossians 4

New International Version (NIV)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone

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SINS OF OMISSION
   "We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have DONE, and by what we have LEFT UNDONE."

   These words, from our regular confession of sins, remind us that we not only sin in wrongful active ways, but also in our more passive failure to act at times when we should.  In the story of the Good Samaritan, for instance, the Priest and the Levite refuse to help the injured man and walk by on the other side of the road pretending they don't see him.  They don't inflict injury, but they sin in their neglect to use the opportunity for good.

   St. Paul, above, reminds the Colossian church that they are to "make the most of every opportunity" -- that is, that they should consciously be using their days to season the world with the love of Christ.

   Obviously, such words remind us all of the many hours that we waste in meaningless activity or of  the many opportunities that have passed us to witness to Christ and His love.   We have, so often, been the Priest or Levite in the story, walking by our brother/sister in need either too afraid or too lazy to try and make a difference.

   But Paul does not say these words to condemn us, because he knows well that Christ covered over even these such sins by His atoning blood.  Rather, he says these words to encourage us to open our eyes a little bit wider to see those times when God has opened up doors for us.  He wants us to see all people through the lens of His mercy and to do all we can to help them grow in their relationship to Him.

   Indifference, apathy, and a defeatist attitude are tools of the Tempter to stop us from ministering to others.  May God enable us to stave off such challenges and to "make the most" of the opportunities He places before us.
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Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[a] in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[b] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹ He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.
¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[c] among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
¹⁷ Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”
¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Friday, September 20 - Colossians 2

Colossians 2

New International Version (NIV)

2 I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴ I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. ⁵ For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. ¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

¹³ When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, ¹⁴ having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

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PRICE PAID

   I am sure looking forward to the day when my mortgage is paid off.  I know that many of you have already gotten to enjoy this pleasure, but I still have about another eleven years to go.  Until that time, the bank has a grip on me and my income -- I am indebted to it for lending me the money.  But not long from now, this house will be mine, and I won't have to worry about that monthly amount that is deducted from my account.

   2000 years ago, Jesus took the mortgage that justice required:  that sinners pay the penalty for their sin -- AND HE PAID IT OFF!  

   It came at no small price though.  It required the sacrifice of His own perfect self.  He had to subject Himself to the worst of mankind, so that we, in turn, could receive all the best from Him.

  Every day we live under the freedom that Jesus won for us.  There is no one hovering over our head saying there is still a debt owed.  There is no one who can claim that there's still more that we have to do in order to be right with God.  

   JESUS DID IT ALL.

   This disarms the enemy.  His power is based on our sins leading us to destruction.  His strength is in using temptation to bring unfaithfulness.  But in Christ the venom has been extracted from his teeth, and now our faith enables us to stare him in the face and declare:  

"Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me.  Died that I might live on high.  Lives that I might never die.  As the branch is to the vine.  I am His and He is mine."

   So let's live like free people.  Let us lift our heads high, sing God's praises, and go  forward not with fear but with faith -- accomplishing what He would have us to do.

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Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body,supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ²¹ “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. ²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Thursday, September 19 - Colossians 1

Colossians 1

New International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

² To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

³ We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, ⁴ because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— ⁵ the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel ⁶ that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. ⁷ You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, ⁸ and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.
⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, ¹⁰ so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, ¹¹ being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, ¹² and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. ¹³ For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴ in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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ENLISTED
   My father, Arthur Hillenbrand, served in the US Army during WWII, but he hardly ever talked about it and never really seemed to consider himself a veteran.  I think the reason was that he only served stateside -- he never saw combat and was never in a dangerous position.  I think he felt that the ones who should be honored were those who engaged the enemy, who were on the front lines of battle, who risked something so that others might be safe.

   Nevertheless, at dad's funeral there were military honors, because the rest of us felt that my father was willing to put it all on the line -- he was being trained to help defend our country.  And while he never saw combat, he willingly stepped into the uniform  so that he could do so should the need arise.

   At our Baptism, we were clothed in the "uniform" of Christ -- that is, we were called by Him to serve.  Not everyone is called to serve on the "front lines" -- that is, not everyone will be a missionary, evangelist, pastor, teacher or some other professional church worker.  But we are all called to "live a life worthy of our uniform."  In other words, by God's grace, we should honor our God in the way we live, act, and love.

   Someone once made this statement to me:  "If all Christians were being arrested for their faith, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

   One would hope that there would be, but thanks be to God that our salvation is grounded not in our faithful actions, but on Him whose service led Him to the cross.  He won the war for us, and He is the One primarily who deserves all glory, honor, and praise. 

   Have a great day in the Lord.

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The Supremacy of the Son of God

¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— ²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Paul’s Labor for the Church

²⁴ Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. ²⁵ I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— ²⁶ the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. ²⁷ To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
²⁸ He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. ²⁹ To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

Wednesday, September 18 - Philippians 4

Philippians 4. NIV

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

¹⁰ I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹ I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹² I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

¹⁴ Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.¹⁵ Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; ¹⁶ for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. ¹⁸ I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

²⁰ To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

²¹ Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. ²² All God’s peoplehere send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.Amen.

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KEYS TO PEACE

  "Peace" is something we all want, but often is elusive.  There frequently seems to be some nagging concern tugging at our minds and causing anxiety or fear.

  St. Paul, above, offers some help.  Five keys to peace that I see are as follows:

   1) Remember who(se) you are.  He says in v. 4.  "Rejoice IN THE LORD."  God is in control and we are in His hands.  He loved us enough to die for us.  Will He not also be with us in all our other challenges?

   2)  Pray.   Paul encourages us to unload our burdens on Christ so that we might be free of their weight.  (v. 6)

   3)  Focus on the good.  v.8    Often the negative consumes us because we choose to dwell on it.  Paul suggests fixing our minds on the good things God is doing in our lives.

   4)  Remember that God is stronger than our problems.   v. 13  What we cannot handle, HE can.  And through His strength we also are made strong.

   5)  Look beyond yourself to the needs of others and reach out to them.  v. 14  In this case, Paul commends the Philippians for reaching out to make a difference in his ministry with their love, prayers, and generosity.  The more we look outward, the less we focus on all of our own problems.

   May God give you His peace as you serve Him today.

Tuesday, September 17 -- Philippians 3

No Confidence in the Flesh

  Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. ² Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. ³ For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—⁴ though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal,persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,but that which is through faith in^[a] Christ—the righteousnessthat comes from God on the basis of faith. ¹⁰ I want to knowChrist—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prizefor which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Running the Race

   Runners who want to race successfully need to have focus.  They must run with an intentional plan and with an eye toward the goal.   Without this focus they might get distracted, or they might run too fast or too slow to meet their goals.

   As Christians we should also run our journey of faith with a plan.  We can't let ourselves focus on past failures and frustrations, but rather should keep ourselves seeking to faithfully serve our Lord in the future.

  Anger and resentment have a real way of dragging God's people down.  They keep us dwelling on others rather than dwelling on Christ. They keep us focused on the past instead of the future.  They keep us dwelling on injustice rather than forgiveness.

   Are you harboring anger in your life?  If so, you know the power it has to captivate your energy and your spirit.  Maybe today is the day to cut off the Tempter's grasp and to lay down your anger at the foot of the cross. 

   And our Lord Jesus will rejoice as your eyes move closer to the goal, and as you start running with more focus and energy.  

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Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.Their mind is set on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodiesso that they will be like his glorious body.