Philippians 3:12-21 The Message
Focused on the Goal
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
In the World…
- Can a Christian be more effective by paying attention to world events?
- Should we ignore what is going on in the world and just focus on God?
Simplistic questions as these will never get helpful responses, but I thought they may again capture our attention to what really matters.
At the time of writing this, there are catastrophic losses of life and property from flash flooding in several states, wildfires, riots, civil and social unrest, going on in the United States and two wars going on in the Middle East.
This devotion is not intended to address these issues, but it may very well give us exactly what we need.
Too Heavenly Minded?
I don’t know if you have heard the phrase, “too heavenly minded for earthly good.” The intent of this phrase is that the person’s head is in the clouds and ignoring the real-world problems. It suggests that this person has nothing to offer to help move the issues to resolution.
For the most part, this is true of Christians.
In an attempt to be non-biased and impartial, we pull ourselves out of the conversation.
Is this what God has called us into when He sent us out to disciple nations (Matthew 28:16-20)?
A peacemaker is not standing passively on any sidelines watching everything unfold, but instead actively engages the conversation to bring the impactful, transformational love of God into every relationship.
Where to Start?
As Christians, we are given specific instructions.
First and foremost, in every situation, we are to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
Paul exhorts us that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25). Therefore, we are to allow God to transform our minds and interpret every situation we face.
Too often we get our thoughts from the media or other influencers.
They may have an accurate view of what’s going on, and again they may not.
But those informing our views are getting us into a panic, worried about what may happen.
This fear may help them gain viewers or increase their profit lines, but it’s not anywhere close (how far is the east from the west) view God has on the world.
Think on Such Things
We are commissioned to think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).
God is not distraught in the affairs of the world; He always has hope.
Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
If we are filled with sorrows, worry, anger, fear, or belittling from others over situations, we are not getting God’s perspective.
Don’t let the sun go down on your anger… and then give the devil a foothold (Ephesians 4:26-27). And over all these virtues, put on love (Colossians 3:14).
With everything that we see, we need to choose to maintain God’s perspective.
How we feel thinking about the world events, reveal whether or not we have God’s perspective.
Should We Have an Opinion?
Do I have an opinion on what is going on the world’s stage? Absolutely.
Would communicating those views add clarity to these situations? Maybe.
However, I believe that God has called me specifically to encourage people to connect with God for themselves.
Not only does God have perfect knowledge and understanding, He loves you perfectly and completely. He can address your fears and strengthen your heart.
A connection with Him will proved much more healing to the overall situation.
Should this be every Christians view? Absolutely not. God has called some of you to speak out. For now, my calling is to encourage you to seek God and help you to know you don’t have His perspective if it is not leading you to hope and love.
Focus on God and what He says is true.
If it doesn’t match your experience, still focus on what He says is true.
For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
This will lead to your greatest joy – communion with Him.
Are We Anywhere near Ready to Let Go – Let God?
Philippians 3:13-14 New American Standard Bible
13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Max Lucado tells a story about the late champion boxer Muhammad Ali taking someone to his barn where he stored his trophies and awards.
Standing in the doorway, he pointed to his many trophies and said, “It ain’t nothing.”
He had come to the conclusion that at the end of all things when all is said and done, at his very last breath, all of his vast accomplishments meant very little.
Centuries earlier, the apostle Paul looked back on his life and on all the things he had been proud of, and he said,
“Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss. I consider them rubbish.”
Paul said this not because he had a debilitating disease like Muhammad Ali but because he had met the Lord Jesus.
He was ready to let go of whatever was behind him so that he could serve the Lord and live by the power of the risen Savior.
As we are about to enter into another “who knows what” are we ready to let go of things that keep us from experiencing the power of Christ’s resurrection?
Are we ready to let go of all the things that at one time seemed all-important?
Are we ready to let go to ask the Lord today for the grace to toss out everything that stands, that accumulates dust in our closets, find ways of serving him?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit …
Praying …
Psalm 91 New American Standard Bible
Security of One Who Trusts in the Lord.
91 One who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will lodge in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
3 For it is He who rescues you from the net of the trapper
And from the deadly plague.
4 He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may take refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and wall.
5 You will not be afraid of the terror by night,
Or of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the plague that [a]stalks in darkness,
Or of the destruction that devastates at noon.
7 A thousand may fall at your side
And ten thousand at your right hand,
But it shall not approach you.
8 You will only look on with your eyes
And see the retaliation against the wicked.
9 [b]For you have made the Lord, my refuge,
The Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will happen to you,
Nor will any plague come near your [c]tent.
11 For He will give His angels orders concerning you,
To protect you in all your ways.
12 On their hands they will lift you up,
So that you do not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will walk upon the lion and cobra,
You will trample the young lion and the [d]serpent.
14 “Because he has loved Me, I will save him;
I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.
15 He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in [e]trouble;
I will rescue him and honor him.
16 I will satisfy him with [f]a long life,
And [g]show him My salvation.”
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 