Page 47 - Living Light - A Message of Joy!

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Kevin Shaw and are based on Philippians 3:12-21 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Hebrews 12
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example,
brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Sunday January 21 - I’ve started...
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal... Philippians 3:12
This week we continue in Philippians, exploring the theme ‘Ending Well’. Whether in our faith life, in sport, studying for a degree, in marriage, work, or even in life itself, our position at the end of things is considerably more important than where we start.
In Philippians 3, Paul rejects his former confidence in his pedigree and religiosity, instead looking to Jesus for righteousness, faith, power, and the hope of resurrection. It seems that Paul has this salvation thing sewn up, except that his great statements seem to touch a nerve within him! In the text you can sense him veering into self-reflection, producing a caveat: ‘Not that I have already obtained all of this...’ he declares (v 12).
When I saw the theme for this week, ‘Ending Well’, I sighed, because like Paul, it touched a nerve. I have four books partly written, several teachings in progress, many ideas on a back-burner, and a things-to-do list at work that would stretch to heaven. I’m a great starter, but less great at finishing.
You may have similar frustrations, leading to discouragement, but let you and me take heart; at certain points in their journey, all people of faith find themselves uncertain about ending well. Let’s see if we can learn something from Paul this week – lessons and encouragement that will help us end well too.
Father God, I invite you into the struggle of my journey towards the future that you have called me to. Help me to get there, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
45
PRAYER FOR TODAY