Running the Race (Part 1)
Pastor Mike Fordham preached from one of my favorite passages last Sunday from the book of Philippians. What a powerful sermon we heard last Sunday! It felt very much like a Holy Spirit thing to be in Philippians 3 the same weekend as the Shamrock Scurry. I love it when a plan comes together!
Let’s read again this powerful passage from Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 from the New Living Translation.
“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 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.”
We as human beings are far from being perfection. We are bound to make many, many mistakes in this life. I have made countless mistakes in my own life. A huge part of following Jesus is surrendering to what we imagine a perfect life would be. Being perfect is not about getting straight A’s in school, having a really nice house, getting the perfect job, or driving your dream car.
Yet, Jesus provides a real image of a “perfect life.” We need to forget the past. What happened yesterday it not nearly as important as what is happening tomorrow. We don’t have to live in the prison of our past mistakes. Jesus invites us to look forward to what lies ahead. We need to press on to reach the end of our live’s race. It seems like finishing the race well is much more important than how we started out in his life.
I long to receive the heavenly prize from God. A kingdom that will not end, and a kingdom free of pain, suffering, and death. Life that does not end. What an amazing prize! In these early days of Lent, you are invited to start forgetting your past. We will talk tomorrow about what lies ahead.
In His Grip,
Mike Toluba
Let’s read again this powerful passage from Paul in Philippians 3:12-14 from the New Living Translation.
“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 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.”
We as human beings are far from being perfection. We are bound to make many, many mistakes in this life. I have made countless mistakes in my own life. A huge part of following Jesus is surrendering to what we imagine a perfect life would be. Being perfect is not about getting straight A’s in school, having a really nice house, getting the perfect job, or driving your dream car.
Yet, Jesus provides a real image of a “perfect life.” We need to forget the past. What happened yesterday it not nearly as important as what is happening tomorrow. We don’t have to live in the prison of our past mistakes. Jesus invites us to look forward to what lies ahead. We need to press on to reach the end of our live’s race. It seems like finishing the race well is much more important than how we started out in his life.
I long to receive the heavenly prize from God. A kingdom that will not end, and a kingdom free of pain, suffering, and death. Life that does not end. What an amazing prize! In these early days of Lent, you are invited to start forgetting your past. We will talk tomorrow about what lies ahead.
In His Grip,
Mike Toluba
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Welcome!Out of the AshesBanded DiscipleshipA BIG Question?Praying for the ScurryThe Worst-Case ScenarioRunning the Race (Part 1)Running the Race (Part 2)Struggles and SuccessesGetting Bad News WellThe Joy of the LordGet Along in the LordScripture and SpiritPraying for UkraineRejoice in the LordSpirit of the Living GodWhat Is It Good For?RestTurbulenceConfessionConfession Time!Confession PrayersWe Repent.The Treadmill of EnvyA Season of DiscontentFinding Contentment in a Discontent WorldSay Hello to Mary
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