WINNING THE BIG ONE

WINNING THE BIG ONE

READ:  Philippians 3:7-14

I press on toward the goal

to win the prize for which

God has called me heavenward

in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:14

In every field of endeavor, one award is considered the epitome of recognition and success.  An Olympic gold medal, a Grammy, an Academy Award, or a Nobel Prize are among “the big ones.”  But there is a greater prize that anyone can obtain.

The apostle Paul was familiar with first-century athletic games in which competitors gave their full effort to win the prize.  With that in mind, he wrote to a group of followers of Christ in Philippi:  “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7).  Why?  Because his heart had embraced a new goal:  “I want to know Christ-yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings” (v.10).  And so, Paul said, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (v.12).  His trophy for completing the race would be the “crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Each of us can aim for that same prize, knowing that we honor the Lord in pursuing it.  Every day, in our ordinary duties, we are moving toward “the big one” - “the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (Philippians 3:14 NLT).

  DAVID MCCASLAND

Dear Lord, when I get discouraged, help me to keep pressing on, looking ahead to when I will be with You forever.

What is done for Christ in this life will be rewarded in the life to come.

INSIGHT

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is one of warmth and affection, perhaps rooted in his founding of this congregation-the first church planted in Europe.  While presenting the theme of joy, the letter to the Philippians also focuses on Paul’s care for them (1:3-4), the matchless person of Christ (2:5-11), and the need for unity (4:2-3).  Today’s Bible reading (3:7-14) draws our attention to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v.8) and the impact that knowledge should have on our living.     BILL CROWDER

Have a blessed night.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

DO YOU EVER FEEL IT DOESN'T PAY TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE?

Today's promise: God has great rewards for those who remain faithful

Do you ever feel it doesn't pay to live a godly life?

"Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive a reward that lasts forever."

Psalm 37:18 NLT

God will honor your integrity

Maybe last month it was a relational disaster or an occupational trial. This week it might be a financial setback. Next week could bring a health crisis. After a while the unrelenting stream of tough times takes its toll.

"What's the use?" we cry. "I try to do right and for what? Life keeps beating me up! I can't get ahead! I'm not sure it pays to try to live a godly life. I struggle as much or more than my neighbors who couldn't care less about God!"

Troubles certainly have a way of wearing us down. And if we're not careful, they can erode even our bedrock convictions. The promise in Psalm 37 is a good reminder of why we must be vigilant about not taking moral or ethical shortcuts.

Those who maintain their integrity, those who continue to do right even when everything and everyone else is wrong will one day receive the ultimate reward.

Praying God's Promise:
Life doesn't seem fair at times, Lord, and integrity often doesn't seem to matter. But it does matter. You see everything. Nothing escapes your gaze. You promise to care for the pure and to reward the faithful. Give me the spiritual tenacity to hang in there. Remind me that the day is coming when you will exalt those who steadfastly trust in you.

From the Praying God's Promises in Tough Times by Len Wood (Tyndale) pp 204-5

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

OUR MAIN CONCERN

OUR MAIN  CONCERN

READ:  GALATIANS 1:6-10

If I were still trying to please

people, I would not be a servant

of Christ.  -Galatians 1:10

Peer pressure is part of everyday life.  Sometimes we base our decisions on what other people will think or say rather than on our convictions and on what will please God.  We’re worried that we’ll be judged or made fun of.  The apostle Paul experienced his fair share of peer pressure.  Some Jewish Christians believed that Gentiles should be circumcised to be truly saved (Galatians 1:7; See 6:12-15).  However, Paul stood his ground.  He continued to preach that salvation is by grace through faith alone, no further works are required.  And for that he was accused of being a self-appointed apostle.  They further asserted that his version of the gospel had never received the apostles’ approval (2:1-10).

Despite the pressure, Paul was very clear about whom he served-Christ.  God’s approval mattered most, not man’s. He made it his goal not to win the approval of people, but of God (1:10).

Similarly, we are Christ’s servants.  We serve God whether people honor or despise us, whether they slander or praise us.  One day “each of us will give an account of ourselves to God” (Romans 14:12).  That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t consider what people think or say, but ultimately, we make pleasing God our main concern.  We want to hear our Savior say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). 

JAIME FERNANDEZ GARRIDO, GUEST WRITER

Dear Lord, no matter what others may say or do, give me the courage to be faithful to You today.

Dr. Jaime Fernandez Garrido is director of the evangelical radio and television program Born Again, author of various books, and composer of more than 400 hymns and choruses.

Keep following Jesus

INSIGHT

Because the risen Christ called Paul to be an apostle on the Damascus Road (Acts 9:1-18; 22:1-15; 26:9-18), Paul acknowledges that his apostleship was different from the original 12 apostles (Galatians 1:11-17), but it was clearly accepted by them (1:18; 2:7-10).  Because Christianity was birthed in Judaism, adhering to the Mosaic law became an issue as more Gentiles became believers.  The Judaizers taught that Christians must follow Jewish laws and practices in order to be saved.  Paul wrote this letter to counter and condemn this false teaching (vv.8-9), affirming that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by observing the law (Galatians 2:16, 20-21; 3:11,24).            SIM KAKY TEE

Have a blessed evening and weekend.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

WHAT DO YOU LONG FOR?

Today's promise: God blesses those who seek after him

What Do You Long For?

"Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth."

Psalm 73:25 NLT

Heart's Desire

In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when the Beavers inform the children that Aslan is on the move, the children feel a strange stirring in their hearts. Peter in particular says he's "longing" to meet this Aslan.…he doesn't say he's curious; he says he's longing, and that carries a very different meaning….

To long for something means you've had it in your mind for a while, the way you fix your heart on getting that iPod for Christmas…. Longing carries with it the concept of desire.

Yearning Desire. It's a theme that weaves throughout the life and works of C. S. Lewis. In Surprised by Joy, he introduces the concept of longing as the signature quest of his childhood and young adulthood.

It wasn't until Lewis converted to Christianity that he eventually realized what he'd been longing for: God. Not the Norse gods of the pagan world, not even the gods or spirits of fantasy worlds, but the God of the Bible — a real, living Being in whom we can have life forever.

With our own friends, part of our role is to help them understand that their longing comes from an inborn desire to know the King of the universe. And, like the Beavers with Peter, we are to tell our friends about the King — that his return is imminent, that he is on the move even now.

We're all longing to meet the true King. Will you recognize his name when you hear it? Will you help others do the same?

Adapted from Walking Through the Wardrobe by Sarah Arthur (Tyndale) pp 77-83

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

HOW OFTEN DO YOU ASK GOD TO HURRY?

Today's promise: God blesses those who seek after him

How often do you ask God to hurry?

"O Lord, I am calling to you. Please hurry! Listen when I cry to you for help! Accept my prayer as incense offered to you, and my upraised hands as an evening offering."

Psalm 141:1-2 NLT

The Second Thanksgiving

The year was 1623. The Pilgrims had been in the New World for two and half years. The first Thanksgiving of 1621 was only a memory by this time because this summer's drought was jeopardizing everything. Not even the Indians could remember anything like it. The settlers had planted more corn than before, but without any rainfall, there would be no harvest. Daily they had prayed that God would send rain, but he hadn't answered. As the psalmist did in Psalm 141:1, they were begging God to hurry.

Finally, the settlers set aside an entire day for prayer and worship. As they went for worship, the "heavens were as clear and the drought as like to continue as it ever was," yet when they left the meeting, "the weather was overcast, the clouds gathered on all sides." For the next 14 days there were "moderate showers of rain," according to Edward Winslow, one of the Pilgrims.

The Indians watched and were amazed at how the God of the new settlers had answered their prayers, and that year, after the harvest, a second Thanksgiving was celebrated with the Indians joining in as well.

"Hurry up, Lord," we often prod, wondering why the Almighty doesn't seem to be in as much of a rush as we are. Sometimes we need to set our watches to his clock.

From The One Year® Book of Psalms with devotionals by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen (Tyndale) entry for November 22

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House

REFLECTING THE SON

REFLECTING THE SON

READ:  Matthew 5:14-16

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome

it.  John 1:5

Due to its location among sheer mountains and its northern latitude, Rjukan, Norway, does not see natural sunlight from October to March.  To lighten up the towns, the citizens installed large mirrors on the mountainside to reflect the sunrays and beam sunlight into the town square.  The continuous glow is made possible because the giant mirrors rotate with the rising and setting sun.

I like to think of the Christian life as a similar scenario.  Jesus said His followers are “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).  John the disciple wrote that Christ the true light “shines in the darkness” (John 1:5).  So too, Jesus invites us to reflect our light into the darkness around us:  “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  That is a call for us to show love in the face of hatred, patience in response to trouble, and peace in moments of conflict.  As the apostle Paul reminds us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of Light” (Ephesian 5:8).

Jesus also said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).  Our light is a reflection of Jesus the Son.  Just as without the sun the large mirrors of Rjukan would have no light to reflect, so too we can do nothing without Jesus.  LAWRENCE DARMANI

Teach us, Lord, what it is to reflect Your light, especially when life’s demands can tempt us to live selfishly.  Help us today to live in Your love.

Reflect the Son and shine for Him.

INSIGHT

The concept of light shining in the darkness is one of the primary themes of John’s writings, but it also has a strategic place in Matthew’s gospel.  After Jesus returned from being tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Matthew records the launching of Jesus’ public ministry by quoting the words of Isaiah the prophet:  “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 9:2).  These words provide the context for Jesus’ instruction in today’s reading about being a light to others.            BILL CROWDER

Have a blessed evening.

God Our Creator’s Love Always.

Unity & Peace

WHAT THANKSGIVING SHOULD BE

Today's promise: God blesses those who seek after him

What Thanksgiving should be

"How wonderful it is, how pleasant when brothers live together in harmony!"

Psalm 133:1 NLT

Fighting historical vandalism

In an article in Focus on the Family's Citizen magazine, Douglas Phillips describes how he took his family to Plymouth, Massachusetts, a few years ago and was shocked at what he found. Atop Cole's Hill, the burial ground for Pilgrims who died that first hard winter, Phillips was startled to see a city truck pull up and men pile out carrying shovels. They told Phillips the city was placing a new monument.

"Most revolutions are staged at night," Phillips wrote, so he wasn't surprised the next day to find stone markers all over Plymouth designating Thanksgiving as a day of mourning — a day to recall how the Pilgrims murdered and stole from their Indian neighbors. That afternoon, demonstrators — mostly white college kids — celebrated their victory by defacing the traditional monuments. Plymouth had transformed a tale of religious freedom into a story of genocide.

The historical reality is totally different. While it's true that later settlers abused the Native Americans, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians lived together in peace for 50 years. They signed covenants, bought and sold property, and fought against mutual enemies.

The modern obsession with group identity and victimhood encourages us to see those assigned to other groups as our enemies. When we interact with them, we ought to recall the relationship between the Pilgrims and the Indians and model not hostility and hatred but brotherly love. As the psalmist notes, a willingness to get along with others makes for a pleasant and peaceful life.

Adapted from How Now Shall We Live? Devotional by Charles Colson (Tyndale) pp 631-32

Content is derived from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale Publishing House