grace baptist church in marshfield wi
Our minds are filled with the thoughts of our own choosing. Philippians 4:8 directs us to sharpen our focus on the target of our mind. The Greek words used in this passage shows that this call for right thinking is tied to the peace of God mentioned in the verse 7. We still have a will, and we still must choose moral excellence; however, the peace of God will help fuel right thinking.
We are all running a race on this earth. It is the race of daily living as we navigate our families, marriages, workplaces, friendships, personal struggles, and personal victories. We must finish the race well. To run the race well, we must think beyond what we can see (like a runner in a long-distance race). Let’s take a look at what is at the finish line.
Paul did not accomplish great things for God because he never sinned or never experienced hardship. Paul accomplished great things for God because he walked in humility, kept on getting back up, sharpened his focus on the prize (Phil. 3:14), and persevered to the end. Take time to sharpen your focus on the target!
We often struggle with our past as well. Consider this list of possibilities that the Philippian believers needed to leave in the past: relationship hurts (2:2-3), selfishness (2:3), pride (2:7-8), complaining (2:14), arguing (2:14), and belief in false teaching (3:2-3). Are you leaving your past in the past?
Why do we often wait to express our love for someone until they are gone? Why do we sometimes insist on nurturing emotional scars and offenses while our loved ones yet live, but declare our love when they are dead? What a difference the church makes when we simply love as God has called us to love one another!
What keeps you motivated? Is it peer-to-peer comparison or financial gain? Is it recognition or praise? Is it fear or embarrassment? Our motivations often vary depending on the task at hand. Let me ask a more pointed question: what keeps your walk with Jesus motivated? You will find that the answer to this question is not accidental or happenstance, but it is more so, purposeful.
Belief is understanding, agreeing, AND depending (James 2:19). Many will say they believe the Bible, they believe in heaven and hell, or that they believe in God. However, many are still feverishly attempting to work their way to heaven – even though the Bible (that they say they believe) states clearly that we are “saved by grace through faith…not by works (Eph. 2:8-9).”
When the people thought that Jesus was come to deliver them as their earthly king, they shouted great praise in the streets. Joy filled their hearts to believe they would soon be free from their Roman bondage. They were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David!” He was very much worthy of such praise, but not for the reasons the people believed. Jesus had something far greater planned!
There have been many times I have sat with older believers while they have expressed the struggle of still “hanging on” in their diseased-ridden body. They longed for heaven, and they could not understand why they were still here. What does God still want us to do before He calls us home to heaven? There are so many possible answers to that question, but let’s look at 9 possibilities.
