Pressing Towards the High Calling of God in Christ Jesus: Encouragement from Philippians

20 Jun 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Philippians 3:14.        I press toward the mark (goal) for the prize of the high (upward) calling of God in Christ Jesus.

And the band of musicians and revellers came dancing down the street in the hot sun singing: ‘Heat wave, heat wave…Everywhere is heatwave…’ And that seems to be the gospel truth these days, for all about the world that familiar refrain is being heard. In my neighbourhood we’re now up to our fourth or fifth day of over thirty-degree temps… I’ve lost count. And even when we have a strong wind, the wind’s invariably hot. 

Ah Lord eh! Our chickens are coming home to roost. We getting a li’l taste of what hellfire’s going to be like, and most of us definitely don’t like it. (smile) And remember, you won’t be able to turn on no AC down there. So I’d strongly recommend that we turn to Jesus RIGHT NOW and accept Him as Lord and Saviour, so that we can avoid that inferno, where we’ll sashay down to at the end times, if He isn’t the Lord of our lives. 

Consequently, unless you have to go out, it’s best to stay inside in air conditioned comfort, if possible. And if you do have to go out, make sure you’re well protected with sun-block, leaving as little skin as possible exposed to the scorching elements. End of Sermon! (smile) 

And today, I’ve been led to a rather appropriate writing from our One Year Book of Bible Promises, with writings by Ruth Harms Calkin titled, ‘It Takes a Lifetime.’ Not sure if I’ve shared it before, but it’s ever so apropos for these treacherous and ungodly times. 

Please read with me: ‘How I LOVE the words of the apostle Paul. “I don’t mean to say…that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” (Phil. 3:12-14 NLT) 

What tremendous encouragement! Paul, who knew Jesus Christ so intimately, whose consuming desire was to please him, who endured illness, imprisonment, shipwreck, beatings, mockery, and heartache all for the sake of Christ – this very same Paul confessed he hadn’t “arrived.” God was still growing him! I see again, while my conversion took but a moment, my growth takes an entire lifetime. In God’s great wisdom and knowledge He anticipates the finished product while He LOVINGLY takes me through the long, long process.’ End of story! 

And what a most enlightening and encouraging story it is my faithful believers. It clearly shows us that the tough and resilient Bruh Paul, who withstood numerous difficulties and dangers for the Lord’s sake, still didn’t think that he had reached the pinnacle that God had called him to attain. It’s the same with us. As the story says, it takes a moment to be converted, but a lifetime to reach our planned end. And all that time God is growing us, transforming, shaping us into the perfect image of His Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, for that’s been His most ardent desire from the beginning of time. 

Yes friends, Ephesians 5 tells us in no uncertain terms: ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: And walk in LOVE, as Christ also hath LOVED us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour (aroma).’ (Eph. 5:1-2) That means we have to be like Jesus in both our thinking and behaviour. 

And this passage from Philippians puts it even better. ‘Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men (emptied himself of all his privileges). And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil. 2:5-8) 

Oh my people, Jesus though deity, came to earth as a man, as a servant, and sacrificed himself for us on the cross of Calvary. So, if we’re to be like Jesus, then we ought to be prepared to sacrifice ourselves, both on His behalf and those of our fellow believers. Let’s remember that sacrifice is an integral part of discipleship. And though we might find it tough sledding sometimes, we need to remember what Jesus did for us, and that He’s promised never to leave nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5) and to be with us always, even unto the end of the world. (Matt. 28:20) Those scriptures ought to keep us encouraged and constantly working on His behalf. 

Now here’s this other important scripture that shows God’s presence, purpose and plan for us. Bruh Paul writes to the Philippians: ‘Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform (complete) it until the day of Jesus Christ.’ (Phil. 1:6) Of course my fellow believers! If God begins a good work in us, transforming us to the behaviour and beliefs of Jesus, He won’t stop until He takes us home or Jesus returns to earth! So there’s no need to fear being left out in the cold, like some unfinished work that someone just threw aside. Our God will NEVER do that! He LOVES us too much! We’re too valuable to Him; His greatest and most dear creation! 

But we have to be of the same mind as Jesus. That’s prepared to work though whatever comes against us, and do like Bruh Paul says: ‘I press toward the mark (goal) for the prize of the high (upward) calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) Please, my fellow saints, I plead with us to never lose sight of that high calling of God in Christ, for it’s our earthly goal. Now, let’s declare our Thursday Blessings, so that we can activate them. Blessings so generously given to us by our heavenly Father to do His earthly work. 

Altogether: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to, will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and every day! Amen!’ 

And having now activated those blessings, it’s our bounden duty to go out and use them for the benefit of others, just as generously as the Lord shared them with us! Much LOVE!

…while here on earth…Christians should never lose sight of heaven…

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Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 June 2021 John 15:13.

14 Jun 2021 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

John 15:13.     ​Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Up, up and away friends! It’s Monday, the beginning of a brand new work week! That means there are things to do, places to go and people to see, so please, let’s get a move on, for time waits on no one! Awright, thanks for reminding me that some of you still don’t have jobs, and still can’t go to some of the places you want to go to, like the gym, hair salon and barbershop, despite the lifting of some lockdown restrictions. Yes mih bredrin, life can certainly be rough at times oui! 

But please don’t get discouraged, let’s look at the flip side of the coin instead nuh. We have life, which means there is hope, and most of all we have Jesus…Glory be mih people! That then means we have the awesome benefits of grace, mercy, LOVE and salvation! Wow! What a treasure trove of benefits! And all God’s children gave out a loud shout of gratitude and praise. ‘Thank you Jesus, for saving our sinful souls from hellfire and damnation, through your selfless sacrifice on the cross of Calvary!’ 

Oh my fellow saints, every time I sit down and ponder on Jesus, contemplate His awesome LOVE and selflessness, and the terrible pain and ‘sufferation’ He endured on our account, my heart pains me because I just can’t imagine myself suffering to that degree for someone else. And that selflessness just makes me LOVE and appreciate Him even more. That leads me to consider these heartfelt and life-giving words that He shared with the disciples as His time of sacrifice drew near. 

‘If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto (for) you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath LOVED me, so have I LOVED you: continue (abide) in my LOVE. If ye keep my commandments; ye shall abide in my LOVE; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his LOVE. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 

This is my commandment, That ye LOVE one another, as I have LOVED you. Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained (appointed) you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye LOVE one another.’ (John 15:7-17) 

Oh friends, just look at all the important statements in those few verses nuh. But please note they are all based on one condition: obedience to His commandments. The scholars characterize them thus: ‘abiding in His LOVE (vs.10), full joy (vs.11), LOVE for one another (vs. 12-13, 17; cf. 13:34-35), friends, not servants (vs.14-15), fruit remains (vs.16), and answered prayer (vs.16) Not forgetting that it was Christ who chose them. ‘It was by His appointment, not by their choice they were taken out of the world (vs.19) and sent out to bear fruit.’ 

But the verse I am especially interested in today is our Bit. ‘Greater LOVE hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’ How beautiful is Christ eh, that after calling us friends, and making that statement, that’s exactly what He went out and did; lay down, sacrifice His sinless life for us, sinners, whom He considered friends, disciples, ambassadors and earthly representatives. 

No wonder Bruh Paul wrote these powerful words in his missive to the church at Ephesus, re the ways of the believer. ‘Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in LOVE, as Christ also hath LOVED us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling savour (aroma).’ (Eph. 5:1-2) You can’t argue with that sentiment friends, for it’s the indisputable truth! 

Furthermore, listen to John in his first epistle as he talks about LOVING each other. ‘Hereby perceive we the LOVE of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good (goods), and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion (his heart) from him, how dwelleth the LOVE of God in him? My little children, let us not LOVE in word, neither in tongue (mere word); but in deed and in truth.’ (1 John 3:16-18) 

There’s nothing to argue with in those verses either my people. What we need to do, especially in these tough times of sickness, poverty and strife is put them into action; help each other, LOVE each other, the way Christ LOVED and helped us. That’s when we show the world and Christ that we are His true disciples! Now, let’s go talk to the Lord in prayer, pour out our troubles and woes to Him, through our Monday Morning Battle Hymn. 

Altogether now: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, we, Your humble servants, praise Your Holy Name and thank You this Monday morning for life and strong faith in Christ, despite the mass confusion in our world. We desperately need Your divine help, for You are the ONLY ONE with the power to solve our many problems. 

Heavenly Father, we admit that we have all sinned and seriously disobeyed Your Word, but we know that You are a merciful, forgiving and gracious God, who has faithfully promised to hear and answer our prayers when we humble ourselves, pray, and sincerely seek Your face. That’s why we come to You now, with sincere repentance in our hearts, pleading with You to give us wise guidance and direction to alleviate our problems. 

And Father, we pray that you will ease the pain of the many who are suffering from negative situations. Please show them Your awesome grace and mercy, and keep Your promise that You’ll hear our prayer, forgive us, and heal our land if we turn from our evil ways. Show this evil world that You are indeed Jehovah Rapha; the God who heals! We pray this in the holy and blessed name of Your Son, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen! And again, we say: Amen!’ 

Now let’s remember the number one reason for divine help and blessings: OBEDIENCE! Much LOVE!

…plenty talk…with no action…is useless…it helps no one…                                                                        

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