September 30, 2015 – Philippians 3:13-14
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, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3:13-14Apostle Paul poured his life out to reach the end of the race by serving Jesus. He kept his focus on the only One who could give him the strength to endure.Apostle Paul said to forget the past and look to the future and pinnacles to climb that are ahead of each of us. How easy it is to say, ‘poor me’…and forget the sunrise that reveals a new beginning and a new horizon in our lives each day.There is no turning back, once we have given our hearts to Jesus. Each day we accomplish what He gave us to do, each day we grow in faith and love, not only for Him, but for those He places around us. Each day that dawns we renew our faith and trust in Jesus. When we are citizens, we live with kindness, gentleness, goodness, pouring out of our hearts. We are citizens of Heaven. We experience His joy and peace and patience. We control and measure our actions, our speech, our example to others who are struggling to find their way.Until that time when Jesus returns as our Savior, we walk with Him and talk with Him. We know that through Jesus Christ, we too can come before God and know Him as our Abba Father.Begin the race this moment. It is worth the energy to focus on Him alone. As citizens of Heaven, He will change our decaying bodies and change them into bodies like his and every knee shall bow before Him, our Lord Jesus Christ. Believe and trust Him and you will live with Him — now and forever!But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 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. Philippians 3:20-21