Sunday, January 8, 2017

Day 8 - Philippians 3:12-21

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.


Terrie's Comments:

Paul's focus was on one thing... His future in Heaven!  This is a theme that runs through many of his letters to the churches.  This portion of Philippians is quoted often, and for good reason.  It would be a great passage to have tattooed on the inside of your eyelids (if that would work to help memorize scripture or to engrave it on our hearts...LOL).  It is a great reminder that we are not perfect but we are pressing forward.  We are not to dwell on the past.  We are to be pressing towards our future in Heaven.

It's been a while since we added a music video... Toby Mac fans here you go!  





Tori's Comments:

We are all works in progress, as are your brothers in sisters in Christ. Sometimes we forget this, and it ends up with us either comparing ourselves to others (despite us ALL being a piece of work) and feeling ashamed of our own lack of perfection or we assume everyone else should be at the same place you are in your walk with God. Each of these things involves us taking our eyes off of where we're headed. We should focus on a deeper relationship with God, first and foremost, remembering what's been done for us and who God has created us to be.

And who has He created us to be? His. He's created us to be His.





Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!

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Please keep all comments respectful. We want to remember that each of us is at a different place in our walk with God. This is a place for us to share openly about what has been revealed to us as we open up Gods word and to learn from others. Please take every opportunity possible to build each other up in love :-)