August 10-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:12-13a (NLT), I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,
Observe what it is saying.
What are “these things” Paul writes about? They are what he shared in last week’s passage. He had an overwhelming desire to fully know Jesus, His suffering, and His resurrection power. Paul was saying because Jesus had caught and embraced him with His grace, now he’s pressing on to grab ahold and embrace everything of what Christ had already done for him. The goal is to become spiritually engulfed in Jesus. The first step to Christian maturity is to admit you have not arrived yet. As far as Paul had traveled and all that he had experienced, he knew he was not there yet even though he had come close on several occasions. He experienced terrible suffering and several near-death events and had, also, encountered the resurrection power through countless miracles where he had been spared and used as God’s witness. Even with all of that, he knew there was so much more to know and experience in Jesus. So, he said he kept pressing on. He made it clear that salvation by grace through faith is the beginning of the race. Living out that salvation is a long distant run. Every day is a new leg of the race to be won through the invigorating power of the Holy Spirit. It’s when we press on, in spite of opposition, that our faith is strengthened and our character is deepened.
Relate it to your life.
I have not arrived at full maturity. Whatever time I have on earth is opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me a “press on” attitude so I never think I have arrived until I come to You. Amen.
August 11-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:12-13b (NLT), I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past…
Observe what it is saying.
We press on by refusing to let the past rule our present. Paul focused on what was ahead by forgetting what was behind. By that, Paul meant he made a conscious decision not to let the past memories absorb his attention and impede his progress. He refused to gaze at his trophy case or review his catalogue of sins. The Enemy often uses our past as a tool to haunt and shame us. In his book By Grace Alone, Sinclair Ferguson identifies four major "fiery darts" Satan uses to rob believers of their peace in the gospel: 1: "God is against you. He’s not really for you. How can you believe he is for you when you see the things that are happening in your life?" 2: "I have accusations I will bring against you because of your sins. What can you say in defense? Nothing." 3: "You can say you’re forgiven, but there’s a payback day coming—a condemnation day. How will you defend yourself then?" 4: "Given your track record, what hope is there that you will persevere to the end?" To overcome the threat of the Enemy’s attacks, we must learn to recognize our Savior’s voice through attentive prayer, reflecting on Scripture, faithfully gathering in worship, and meeting in our small groups. We need all these resources to press on in Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
I cannot let my past rob me of the joy of the present found in the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me a discerning heart so I refuse the lies of the enemy in favor or Your truth. Amen.
August 12-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:13c-14, …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.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul says he pressed on by focusing on the future. Paul knew he could only go so far here, and there would be a day when he would finish the earthly race and be totally engulfed in the presence of Jesus. His goal and prize would be complete, but the challenge is to get to the finish line. Author Kevin Miller says he learned a lesson as a runner when he was at the Pennsylvania Relays, a famous Eastern track meet. His relay team ran in the championship race. He was the lead runner in the second lane. The man in the first lane held the 100-meter dash record for prep school runners. When he got to the line and they were all putting their starting blocks down, he said, "May the best man win. I'll be waiting for you at the finish line." They went into the blocks. The gun sounded. The star 100-meter record holder took off, and the other seven settled in behind him. They went around the first turn and down the back stretch. About 180 meters into the 400-meter leg of the race, Kevin saw the record holder in front of him, holding his side, bent over, and groaning as he jogged along. Everyone passed him like he was standing still. At the end of the race Kevin’s coach took him aside and said, "I hope you've learned a lesson today. It makes little difference whether you hold the record for the 100-meter dash if the race is 400-meters long." Paul said he was in it for the long haul. He knew he would have to press on to keep gaining ground, not to save himself, but to live out the salvation already won for him. Paul refused to stop short of personally, passionately, and profoundly knowing Jesus in every possible way as he persevered through life.
Relate it to your life.
Am I running a spiritual sprint or a marathon that will get me to the finish line?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to fully know and experience You here on earth and throughout all eternity. Amen.
August 13-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:15-17 (NLT), Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul offered himself as a model so they could watch him to know how to faithfully live out their faith in a culture filled with many conflicting ideas and philosophies. Paul knew they needed a pattern because they hadn’t seen this type of Jesus’ life before he showed up. He wasn’t boasting but was merely asking them to join together in imitating him. Paul was open about his life to make sure they were confident he was practicing what he was preaching. That’s why it was so important for him to acknowledge he hadn’t fully arrived yet. We need models. We need mentors. But on the flip side, we need to be a pattern of Christ for others. Our world needs us. That’s both exciting and scary. It’s exciting to think that Christ can shine through us to be a pattern for other believers. But it’s also scary, because we don’t want to cause anyone to stumble because we offer a poor witness. So, let’s be careful that we represent Jesus well in our words, in our attitudes, in our moral choices, and in our social media posts.
Relate it to your life.
Who is watching me to know how to live for Christ? What are they discovering? Am I pointing to Jesus?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me fully aware, whether I own it or not, I am model and mentor to someone. Amen.
August 14-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT), For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul tearfully tells about those whose conduct made them enemies of the cross. He described them as having their god as food, bragging about being involved in sinful things, and only thinking about this world and nothing beyond. Who are these people? They appear to be those who have professed faith in Christ and turned back to old ways of living. This is why Paul is so emotional about them. They professed Christ but are not acting like Christ. There is no difference between them and the ungodly culture in which they find themselves. Paul weeps over them because they are now lost, enemies of the cross. He makes it clear to the Philippians that these are not the patterns they are to follow. These lifestyles were all about worshiping the wrong thing. In fact, they all lead to self-destruction. Paul is saying as Christ-followers, we must think and act much differently than those who are just earthly focused. Let us consider the three areas in which Paul says they have fallen prey to: Who is our God? What do we brag about? What do we predominately think about?
Relate it to your life.
Is my profession of faith in Christ backed up my lifestyle and thought life in Christ?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, show me the areas in my life that are not surrendered to You. I turn back to You. I ask for your forgiveness and the power of Your Holy Spirit to live a life of integrity that brings You glory. Amen.
August 15-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:20-4:1 (NLT), 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. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Observe what it is saying.
Theologian NT Wright says we need to think of ourselves as the temple for it was where heaven and earth came together. As citizens of heaven, we are a meeting place of heaven and earth because Christ is in us. We bring Christ into the world in which we live and are included in the answer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is heaven.” We bring Jesus’ heavenly kingdom into our world as we offer His love, generosity, justice, forgiveness, healing, and hope. Paul was confident that Jesus’ return would make the meeting of heaven and earth complete. In that moment, our weak bodies will be changed into eternal glorious bodies, and all things, all nations, and all rulers will come under His control. As citizens of heaven, our ultimate hope is the finish line. So, between now and then we should press on and stay true to Jesus through daily Scripture and prayer, weekly worship, meeting in discipleship groups, using our gifts in service to the kingdom, resisting temptation, persevering in suffering, forgiving when offended, and loving at all times.
Relate it to your life.
I will press on and stay true because Jesus will be waiting for me at the finish line!
Do something.
Lord Jesus, by the power of Your Spirit, help me to persevere and be faithful to the very end. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:12-13a (NLT), I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,
Observe what it is saying.
What are “these things” Paul writes about? They are what he shared in last week’s passage. He had an overwhelming desire to fully know Jesus, His suffering, and His resurrection power. Paul was saying because Jesus had caught and embraced him with His grace, now he’s pressing on to grab ahold and embrace everything of what Christ had already done for him. The goal is to become spiritually engulfed in Jesus. The first step to Christian maturity is to admit you have not arrived yet. As far as Paul had traveled and all that he had experienced, he knew he was not there yet even though he had come close on several occasions. He experienced terrible suffering and several near-death events and had, also, encountered the resurrection power through countless miracles where he had been spared and used as God’s witness. Even with all of that, he knew there was so much more to know and experience in Jesus. So, he said he kept pressing on. He made it clear that salvation by grace through faith is the beginning of the race. Living out that salvation is a long distant run. Every day is a new leg of the race to be won through the invigorating power of the Holy Spirit. It’s when we press on, in spite of opposition, that our faith is strengthened and our character is deepened.
Relate it to your life.
I have not arrived at full maturity. Whatever time I have on earth is opportunity to grow closer to Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me a “press on” attitude so I never think I have arrived until I come to You. Amen.
August 11-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:12-13b (NLT), I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past…
Observe what it is saying.
We press on by refusing to let the past rule our present. Paul focused on what was ahead by forgetting what was behind. By that, Paul meant he made a conscious decision not to let the past memories absorb his attention and impede his progress. He refused to gaze at his trophy case or review his catalogue of sins. The Enemy often uses our past as a tool to haunt and shame us. In his book By Grace Alone, Sinclair Ferguson identifies four major "fiery darts" Satan uses to rob believers of their peace in the gospel: 1: "God is against you. He’s not really for you. How can you believe he is for you when you see the things that are happening in your life?" 2: "I have accusations I will bring against you because of your sins. What can you say in defense? Nothing." 3: "You can say you’re forgiven, but there’s a payback day coming—a condemnation day. How will you defend yourself then?" 4: "Given your track record, what hope is there that you will persevere to the end?" To overcome the threat of the Enemy’s attacks, we must learn to recognize our Savior’s voice through attentive prayer, reflecting on Scripture, faithfully gathering in worship, and meeting in our small groups. We need all these resources to press on in Jesus.
Relate it to your life.
I cannot let my past rob me of the joy of the present found in the Lord Jesus.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me a discerning heart so I refuse the lies of the enemy in favor or Your truth. Amen.
August 12-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:13c-14, …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.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul says he pressed on by focusing on the future. Paul knew he could only go so far here, and there would be a day when he would finish the earthly race and be totally engulfed in the presence of Jesus. His goal and prize would be complete, but the challenge is to get to the finish line. Author Kevin Miller says he learned a lesson as a runner when he was at the Pennsylvania Relays, a famous Eastern track meet. His relay team ran in the championship race. He was the lead runner in the second lane. The man in the first lane held the 100-meter dash record for prep school runners. When he got to the line and they were all putting their starting blocks down, he said, "May the best man win. I'll be waiting for you at the finish line." They went into the blocks. The gun sounded. The star 100-meter record holder took off, and the other seven settled in behind him. They went around the first turn and down the back stretch. About 180 meters into the 400-meter leg of the race, Kevin saw the record holder in front of him, holding his side, bent over, and groaning as he jogged along. Everyone passed him like he was standing still. At the end of the race Kevin’s coach took him aside and said, "I hope you've learned a lesson today. It makes little difference whether you hold the record for the 100-meter dash if the race is 400-meters long." Paul said he was in it for the long haul. He knew he would have to press on to keep gaining ground, not to save himself, but to live out the salvation already won for him. Paul refused to stop short of personally, passionately, and profoundly knowing Jesus in every possible way as he persevered through life.
Relate it to your life.
Am I running a spiritual sprint or a marathon that will get me to the finish line?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, help me to fully know and experience You here on earth and throughout all eternity. Amen.
August 13-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:15-17 (NLT), Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul offered himself as a model so they could watch him to know how to faithfully live out their faith in a culture filled with many conflicting ideas and philosophies. Paul knew they needed a pattern because they hadn’t seen this type of Jesus’ life before he showed up. He wasn’t boasting but was merely asking them to join together in imitating him. Paul was open about his life to make sure they were confident he was practicing what he was preaching. That’s why it was so important for him to acknowledge he hadn’t fully arrived yet. We need models. We need mentors. But on the flip side, we need to be a pattern of Christ for others. Our world needs us. That’s both exciting and scary. It’s exciting to think that Christ can shine through us to be a pattern for other believers. But it’s also scary, because we don’t want to cause anyone to stumble because we offer a poor witness. So, let’s be careful that we represent Jesus well in our words, in our attitudes, in our moral choices, and in our social media posts.
Relate it to your life.
Who is watching me to know how to live for Christ? What are they discovering? Am I pointing to Jesus?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me fully aware, whether I own it or not, I am model and mentor to someone. Amen.
August 14-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:18-19 (NLT), For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul tearfully tells about those whose conduct made them enemies of the cross. He described them as having their god as food, bragging about being involved in sinful things, and only thinking about this world and nothing beyond. Who are these people? They appear to be those who have professed faith in Christ and turned back to old ways of living. This is why Paul is so emotional about them. They professed Christ but are not acting like Christ. There is no difference between them and the ungodly culture in which they find themselves. Paul weeps over them because they are now lost, enemies of the cross. He makes it clear to the Philippians that these are not the patterns they are to follow. These lifestyles were all about worshiping the wrong thing. In fact, they all lead to self-destruction. Paul is saying as Christ-followers, we must think and act much differently than those who are just earthly focused. Let us consider the three areas in which Paul says they have fallen prey to: Who is our God? What do we brag about? What do we predominately think about?
Relate it to your life.
Is my profession of faith in Christ backed up my lifestyle and thought life in Christ?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, show me the areas in my life that are not surrendered to You. I turn back to You. I ask for your forgiveness and the power of Your Holy Spirit to live a life of integrity that brings You glory. Amen.
August 15-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 3:20-4:1 (NLT), 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. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Observe what it is saying.
Theologian NT Wright says we need to think of ourselves as the temple for it was where heaven and earth came together. As citizens of heaven, we are a meeting place of heaven and earth because Christ is in us. We bring Christ into the world in which we live and are included in the answer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is heaven.” We bring Jesus’ heavenly kingdom into our world as we offer His love, generosity, justice, forgiveness, healing, and hope. Paul was confident that Jesus’ return would make the meeting of heaven and earth complete. In that moment, our weak bodies will be changed into eternal glorious bodies, and all things, all nations, and all rulers will come under His control. As citizens of heaven, our ultimate hope is the finish line. So, between now and then we should press on and stay true to Jesus through daily Scripture and prayer, weekly worship, meeting in discipleship groups, using our gifts in service to the kingdom, resisting temptation, persevering in suffering, forgiving when offended, and loving at all times.
Relate it to your life.
I will press on and stay true because Jesus will be waiting for me at the finish line!
Do something.
Lord Jesus, by the power of Your Spirit, help me to persevere and be faithful to the very end. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals