MY FRIENDS, “LET’S PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS”

Oct. 15, 2014

MY FRIENDS, “LET’S PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!!!”

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I COUNT EVERYTHING AS LOSS BECAUSE OF THE SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD.

For his sake I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS AND COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, IN ORDER THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND MAY SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, BUT I PRESS ON TO MAKE IT MY OWN, BECAUSE CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME HIS OWN. Brothers [ans sisters], I do not consider that I have made it my own.

But one thing I do: FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND AND STRAINING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.

Let those of us who are mature think this way, AND IF IN ANYTHING YOU THINK OTHERWISE, GOD WILL REVEAL THAT ALSO TO YOU. ONLY LET US HOLD TRUE TO WHAT WE HAVE ATTAINED.” Philippians 3:7-17 (ESV)

So today My friends, let’s make it personal. So I look back, I go over my entire life, the bad times and the best of times, when I had nothing and when my cupboards were overflowing with all I wanted, or ever thought I would want.

But I COUNT EVERYTHING AS LOSS BECAUSE OF THE SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD. Yes, the god of this world has made me an offer. “All this I will give you,” he [tells me], if you will [only] bow down and worship me.” Matt 4:9 (NIV)

But I have decided to SUFFER THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS AND COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, IN ORDER THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST, not because of any set precepts that tells me to go this way or that way, but only because of my unadulterated faith that comes by knowing the One who gave it all up even His life.

In addition, He did  this so THAT I MAY KNOW HIM AND KNOW THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION. So I consider it a honor to SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS, and also BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH.

Oh How I lone to make this all a reality, but as I look at my life and compare it to the life of Christ, I do understand how far my imperfect life is from obtaining those ambitions. BUT I PRESS ON TO MAKE IT [ALL A REALITY].

Consistent with this, [He has made me His child], [and] heirs, heirs of God and co-heirs with [Himself], [so now I am willing to] share in his sufferings in order that [I] may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17 (NIV)

So I will FORGET WHAT LIES BEHIND, and what the god of this world has offered in exchange for my soul, I only LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD and PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.

And even though I have made this personal today, I also realize that I must take this mission statement of the good news of the Gospel to a world that has lost it’s spiritual compass and keep them and you also my friends in prayer until the day of God’s appearing when Christ will also make it personal as He says

‘Well done, Michael! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matt 25:23 (NIV) AND IF IN ANYTHING [ELSE WE MAY] THINK OTHERWISE, GOD WILL REVEAL THAT ALSO TO [US].

But until then, LET US HOLD TRUE TO WHAT WE HAVE ATTAINED. In addition, My friends [we] must work the works of him that [knocks at the door of our hearts], while it is day:[for] the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4 (KJV)

So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY