Philippians 3:14. I press toward the mark (goal) for the prize of the high (upward) calling of God in Christ Jesus.
And after a rainy start, this Tuesday morning has become somewhat sunshiny, although a bit of cloud cover still remains at midday. It should be another fairly warm day like yesterday, with temps in the high teens or low twenties, but again somewhat windy. And we cannot complain about a li’l wind and rain when we have such high temps. (smile)
Anyhow, today I want to share an interesting article, written a long time ago by someone called Christian D Larson. And it’s both amazing and amusing how I came across it again. Last night while putting some stuff in one of the drawers of my file cabinet, I espied this small newspaper clipping taped to the top drawer, and it must have been there for ages, because the paper is now yellowed. Obviously I didn’t know what it was about, since I had not perused it in a long while, and was I surprised when I read the title ‘Promise Yourself,’ and the information that followed.
Now, I wonder if anyone else is like me; has a lot of stuff posted all around their office with supposedly good advice and information, but never sees them, just comes into the office every day, does whatever, then leaves again without paying any attention to those pictures and bits of paper decorating the office walls and elsewhere. I seem to do it all the time, and last night I smiled as I read the article, because deep down I just knew that it was one of God’s mysterious movements to have me renew it in my own mind, as well as share it today.
So please read with me: ‘Promise Yourself: To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.’
Wow! Now doesn’t that sound as though the author was referring to Christianity, for we are supposed to do all those things mentioned in the article? Like being so strong that nothing can disturb our peace of mind. Well there’s only one way to accomplish that, and it’s as Bruh Paul writes to the Ephesians. ‘Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (evil schemes) of the devil.’ (Eph. 6:10-11)
And I like how this overview explains it: ‘Be strong in the Lord, is a call to draw spiritual strength from God’s boundless power rather than personal willpower. It requires relying on Him for inner empowerment to withstand trials and fight spiritual battles by putting on the “armor of God,” focusing on faith, prayer, and daily devotion.’ And that’s the indisputable truth.
Then, there’s this other interesting promise about forgetting our past mistakes and looking towards the future that bring to mind these powerful and wise words of Bruh Paul to the Philippians. ‘Brethren, I count not myself not to have apprehended (laid hold of Christ); But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth (forward) unto those things which are before (ahead), I press toward the mark (goal) for the prize of the high (upward) calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:13-14)
And that’s exactly how we ought to be my fellow believers; looking toward a glorious future with Christ, and not back at a miserable sinful existence with Beelzebub. The problem though is that too many of us still live in the past; we allow our past mistakes, and disappointments to control the way we now live, instead of leaving all that negative baggage behind and moving forward with all the wonderful stuff that Jesus offers.
It’s like this commentary tells us: “Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead” is a guiding principle from Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV), urging individuals to release past mistakes, regrets, or achievements to focus entirely on future goals and spiritual growth. It highlights a proactive, forward-looking attitude, often described as “pressing on” toward a higher purpose.’
But to accomplish that goal, we have to actively discard the negative past, not just talk about doing it. And how do we do that? Bruh Paul offers this advice to the church at Rome. ‘And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.’ (Rom. 12:2) Yes friends, the only way to change our behaviour is by first changing our mindsets, for as Cousin Sol in his great wisdom explains in Proverbs. ‘For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he:’ (Prov. 23:7a)
In other words, you become what you think, for our thoughts control our behaviour. Or as this overview declares: “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he” means a person’s true character, actions, and destiny are shaped by their innermost thoughts, beliefs, and desires. It emphasizes that one’s internal mental and emotional state ultimately manifests outwardly, highlighting the importance of managing thoughts and maintaining inner integrity over mere outward appearances.’
It’s like Jesus says: ‘Not that which goeth into the mouth that defileth a man: but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.’ (Matt. 15:11) Again, it’s our words and actions that stem from our thoughts that cause us to be spiritually impure, rather than external circumstances like not washing our hands before eating.
Ah friends, I do hope that these promises to ourselves reignite a passion in our hearts and souls for Christ, because they are all Bible based. Now let’s go home declaring our Tuesday Mantra, letting all and sundry know to whom we belong, lock, stock and barrel. As one strong and sincere voice: ‘In God’s eyes, I’m not what I do. I’m not what I have. I’m not what people say about me. I am the beloved of God, that’s who I am. No one can take that from me. I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to hurry. I can trust my friend Jesus and share His LOVE with my immediate neighbours, as well as with the whole wide world! Glory be!’
That now makes us duty bound to go out and share the amazing LOVE and friendship of Christ with others, so that they too can come to know and LOVE Him like we do! Much LOVE!
…only true believers can be…too large for worry…too noble for anger…too strong for fear…and too happy to permit the presence of trouble…
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