“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, Philippians 3:14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12–14 NKJV)
These verses are characterized by action terms. Paul is using very descriptive language to describe his Christian race. Note these five great statements made by the Apostle.)
1. V. 12b I Press On - Literally - "To run swiftly in order to catch a person, or a thing." It has reference to a hunter pursuing his prey. It also has the idea of a runner chasing the finish line. Whatever the goal, the picture is of pursuit. For Paul it was the hope of "apprehending" something. That word means "to lay hold on" What Paul is saying is, "I am pursuing the goal of laying hold on all that Jesus laid hold on me for." He realized that he had been saved for a purpose and that God had a plan for his life. Paul would not be satisfied until he had apprehended that for which he had been apprehended!
(Ill. Complacency is a blight that saps energy, dulls attitudes, and causes a drain on the brain. The first symptom is satisfaction with things as they are. The second is rejection of things as they might be. "Good enough" becomes today's watchword and tomorrow's standard. Complacency makes people fear the unknown, mistrust the untried, and abhor the new. Like water, complacent people follow the easiest course -- downhill. They draw false strength from looking back. !)

V. 13a This One Thing I do - Paul was a specialist! Just like an Olympic athlete, Paul specialized in one thing: reaching the goal. Notice that he left the past behind him and he reached for the future. 
A man excels when he specializes. If you want to know the secret of Paul's success, it is that Paul had a one track mind! Nothing was as important to him as was pleasing the Lord!
(Ill. The 1992 Summer Olympics featured two tremendously poignant moments. American sprinter Gail Devers, the clear leader in the 100 meter hurdles, tripped over the last barrier. She agonizingly pulled herself to her knees and crawled the last five meters, finishing fifth--but finishing.
Even more heart-rending was the 400 meter semifinal in which British runner Derek Redmond tore a hamstring and fell to the track. He struggled to his feet and began to hobble, determined to complete the race. His father ran from the stands to help him off the track, but the athlete refused to quit. He leaned on his father, and the two limped to the finish line together, to deafening applause!)

3. V. 13b Forgetting Those Things Which Are Behind - Paul said, "I refuse to look behind me at my past." The word forgetting means, "To cease to be affected by." If you run with your eye on past successes, then you will have the tendency to lay back and rest on your accomplishments. If you run with your eye on your past failures, then you will tend to stay back for fear of failing again!
(Ill. There is another thought that needs to be mentioned here. As you are running for the Lord stop looking at how others are doing in the race! 
There will always be those are able to outrun you and there will be others who will lag behind, or even drop out of the race. Don't worry about what others are doing, you duty is to run to please the Lord Jesus Christ! When we run, He should be the sole focus of our attention, Heb. 12:1-2.)
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2 NKJV)

4. V. 13c Reaching Forward - This phrase pictures the runner in a race as he nears the finish line. He can be seen to lean forward and strain for the goal. Paul tells us that he is "reaching out with all he has" to be sure that he wins his race!
(Ill. The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit. I want to run all the way with the flame of my torch still lit for Him.!)
5. V. 14a I Press Toward The Goal - The word goal refers to the "goal that one has in view." In other words, Paul was oblivious to his surroundings, he was just heading for the goal. He wanted to finish well. Notice that when he did reach the end of his life, he was able to leave behind the testimony that he had indeed run well. 

"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:" 2 Tim 4:6-7.)

(Ill. In The Last Days Newsletter, Leonard Ravenhill tells about a group of tourists visiting a picturesque village who walked by an old man sitting beside a fence. In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked, "Were any great men born in this village?"
The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."
A frothy question brought a profound answer. There are no instant heroes--whether in this world or in the kingdom of God. Spiritual growth takes time, and spiritual leadership must be earned!)

 
 
Someone once said, "Let the mind of the Master be the master of your mind." I think that was behind the statement of the Apostle Paul when he made this statement to the Ephesian believers, "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."
If there is anything that this life of 60 years has taught me, is that it is much more difficult to follow Christ than to follow the way of the Gentiles (un-believers). Yet, there is no better place to be walking than in the will of the Lord. Yes, many times it is a "narrow path" but better to walk on it than the "broad path" that leads to eventual destruction.
A little later there in Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul shares with them the aspects of the new man or woman in Christ, and the blessings and benefits of that path.
“But you have not so learned Christ, Ephesians 4:21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20–24 NKJV)
 
 
There is no greater blessing for the Christian than to know that our life is counting for something. In a day and time when everyone is more concerned about living for themselves than living for a higher purpose and calling, Paul's exhortation to the Corinthians makes sense. "“But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches.” (1 Corinthians 7:17 NKJV)
What God has distributed to us is forgiveness, hope, salvation, faith, grace, mercy, loving kindness, and the list goes on. This distribution (giving us a part in His Kingdom) is something to be cherished, and to be utilized as part of our calling in Christ. I remember my High School Baseball Coach telling us at the beginning of each season that his goal was to help us "Be all that we could be" on and off the field of play. So we worked hard and played hard to accomplish that goal. That produced a reward both personally and as a team. That seemed so important at the time, yet I came to understand that life is not a game, it is much more serious than that. The Apostle Paul put it into perspective for all who believe in and have a personal relationship with Christ. (Phil 1:21)"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Living for Christ is just that, Christ my life, everything about my life in centered and focused on who He is and what He has planned for me. Just as Paul reminded both the Corinthians and the Philippians, so we should be reminded that our faith in Christ is lived and walked out one day at a time.
 
 
Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."Today in the Word, June 29, 1992.
In Ephesians 3:14-21, we find Paul reminding the Ephesians that no grass was growing on his path, when it came to praying for them.  There is no greater example of Paul’s devotion to Christ than his faithfulness to be a man of persistent prayer. In almost every letter and epistle written by Paul there is a reference to his prayer life, and most notably in most instances it was prayer for others.  
Not only here in Ephesians chapter 3, but in two other of Paul’s Epistles, we have what is referred to as the prison prayers. I want you to notice how much spiritual ground Paul covers in these two prayers.
“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, Philippians 1:10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, Philippians 1:11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9–11 NKJV)
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Colossians 1:10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; Colossians 1:12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1:9–12 NKJV)
Paul’s first prayer in Ephesians was in chapter 1:15-23, the thing that prompted Paul to pray for them was, “...hearing of their faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.”
“Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, Ephesians 1:16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: Ephesians 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Ephesians 1:18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, Ephesians 1:19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power Ephesians 1:20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, Ephesians 1:21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
Ephesians 1:22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, Ephesians 1:23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:15–23 NKJV)
In this first prayer, the emphasis was on spiritual enlightenment; but in this second prayer the emphasis will be on spiritual enablement. 
It is important to note that both of the prayers in Ephesians and the previous mentioned ones, deal with the spiritual condition of the inner man and not the material needs of the body.  I am not saying we should never pray for our temporal or physical needs, but it is amazing that when we pray to be filled with the Spirit and obedient to God’s word the temporal and materialistic needs fall into place. 
There can be no doubt that in all three of Paul's epistles mentioned, Ephesians, Colossians and Philippians, Paul's prayerful exhortation was on the importance of "Getting, and staying connected with God" through devotion to the Word and a consistant prayer life.
 
 
   When Jesus addressed seven different churches in the second and third chapters of Revelation, He would conclude with these words of exhortation, "...AND HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT IS SAYING UNTO THE CHURCH." If it was important for the church to hear what the Lord was saying to them, it must be important for those of us who make up the church. Personally I don't know of a more important season in my life to be listening to God. I really need to hear what He is saying to me on a deep and personal level.
   I realize that I need to shut out the noise of the world for a time to hear the powerful and concise words that God really wants to deliver to me. Yes little O me! To speak into my life, for me to heed the message of James 1:19, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."
   In Deuteronomy 6:4 these words resounded throughout the people of Israel, "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! What follows was more than just an exhortation to listen, but to act. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." In essence God ways saying give me your all. All of your attention, all of your love, all of your heart.
   Not only was God asking for their all in all, but He wanted them to teach it to their children. He desired that this would be the topic of their conversation while the were coming and going in their daily routine of life. Can you imagine the spiritual ramifications this would have on our generation and generations to come? If we will but listen to God, then God would listen to us.
 
 
  In Matthew 24:4, Jesus gives an important exhortation to His disciples at the close of His ministry. "Take heed that no one deceives you." This statement would come as He was setting on the Mount of Olives overlooking the City of Jerusalem. There had been centuries of deception from those claiming to be the Christ, the Messiah. Yet here was the true Messiah about to be crucified, and put to open shame before the entire world.
  We are confronted with all types of falsehoods in our day and time. Those who would try to undermine the very power of the gospel, the authenticity of God's Word, and immobilize the evangelism of the church.
  There is only three things that can protect us from this deception.
  (1) A personal, saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world.
  (2) Obedience to the living Word of God, adopted as the very truth of Christ transforming our lives.
  (3) Lastly is a daily dependence on the Holy Spirit to immerse us in the faith, hope and love, found only in a life with Christ.
  As we live out our daily lives, let us live with total dependence and reliance in Christ, not listening to deceptive words and false christ'. 
 
 

    In this first Psalm we are reminded that the way we live our lives will have both temporal, but more importantly spiritual consequences. We find that we are blessed when we take not only a positive stance, but first a negative stance against anything that might hinder, or even stop our walk with God.
    “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly (or wicked),” It becomes obvious to me that God wants me to take a positive stand against worldly, wicked and ungodly counsel. It is important that we are listening to the counsel that God directs us too. This might be the Word of God, or the Word of God spoken by others. Notice three important verbs in verse one, walks (where I walk can alter my life), stands (where I stand can make me either accessible, or vulnerable), sits (where we sit means rest but also association).
     “But his delight is in the law of the Lord.”   There are very few things that bring real spiritual delight apart for the peace, comfort and instruction that comes from the Word of God. When we recognize the true benefit of the God’s word, we like the Psalmist “...in His law he meditates day and night.” The Word is something that I can begin my day with and end my day with it.
    The way of righteousness will have positive results, “He shall be like a tree.”  A tree is a source of shade, it can produce fruit, it can be shelter, it can be landmark that directs is forward, and it represents longevity. The owners of orchards and vineyards in scripture are often referred to as prosperous, and as stewards who maintain what has been given to them for oversight.


    Verse four of Psalm one directs our attention to those who tale another path than that which God has ordained for them. “The ungodly are not so,” The truth of our decisions can’t be stated any clearer than this, “It just ain’t gonna be so for the ungodly!” Everything that the righteous and blessed man has adhered to will not be a reality in the life of the ungodly. It is important to note the simple facts of what the wrong path, and living the wrong way produces in one’s life.


[1]    ‘Like chaff” Chaff was worthless and useless, something to be removed and discarded in the winnowing process.
[2]    “Shall not stand in the judgement” they will miss out on the godly rewards afforded those who have been committed to righteousness.
[3]    “...the way of the ungodly shall perish” Perishing carries with it the idea of not only being gone, but also forgotten. This is a life that was lived for self and selfish reasons, with no lasting eternal benefit.


We can never loose sight of the importance of the opening words in verse six, “for the Lord knows the way of the righteousness.”  I really must ask myself this searching question, “What is it that the Lord really knows about me?”
 
 
Faith, "...the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." What a simple description of what it means to put our faith and trust in the Son of God. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:8-9 that even the faith that we exercise in response to the conviction of the Holy Spirit is a free gift from God.

What we begin to realize is that God loves us, wants to save us from a life life of sin, separation and misery, and is willing to provide the grace and faith necessary fro us to make a decision that will transform our life.

When Paul wrote to the Romans he made it abundantly clear as to the advantage of putting our faith and trust in Christ.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; Romans 5:4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1–5 NKJV)

Think about the benefits of your faith? They are clearly defined in these five verses.
  1. We have peace with God through Christ.
  2. We have access by faith into God's grace.
  3. We rejoice in hope.
  4. We can glory (praise and worship) in our tribulations because there will be a benefit from it.
  5. We have hope that want disappoint.
  6. We have the love of God poured out in our hearts.

I would say that if we are experiencing any of these things that we are benefiting from our faith in Christ.
 
 
    Children have a little ditty which we all know is totally false: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me." This is not true for all we all know how much the taunting words of another child can hurt. And, if a child asks for a cookie or reaches out to touch something the words "no" or "yes" can cause either tears or smiles. Words have power.
    There is a delightful children's story in Arabian Nights entitled "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves." The thieves kept all their stolen loot in a secret cave. To get in the cave you had to say the password, "Open Sesame," and the cave would open. Words have power.
    By saying only one word to 3000 subscribers of his news bulletin, Joe Granville caused panic in the stock market one day. The one word: SELL. Some of you might remember this stock market analyst of the early 80s. Words have power.
    There is power in the written and spoken word. Governments have collapsed, dictatorships have been overthrown, monarchies have been replaced, and presidents have resigned all because of the power in words.Some of the leading figures of world history have known the power of words. Adolf Hitler was able to whip crowds into a frenzy. His counterpart in England, Winston Churchill, was able to rally the English time and again against Nazi attacks. John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr used the power of words to mobilize legions of followers.
Elijah was another man who knew the power of words. For Elijah, though, there was only one word that had power, there was only one word that counted – the Word of God.Before us in 1 Kings 17 we see both the appearance and the disappearance of Elijah. In both his presence and his absence Elijah testified to the power of God's Word.Elijah appeared in Israel one day with a message from the Lord for Ahab and the people of Israel:(1 Ki 17) "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
    The power of this Word was apparent from the destruction it caused. The Word of the Lord spoken by Elijah in the presence of the king made the crops in the field wither, dried out the earth so much that cracks started to appear in the ground, and caused the streams and springs of Israel to go dry. Prosperity fled Israel's borders. Poverty and hunger reigned throughout the land. People, animals, and even creation suffered under the drought caused by the Word.Yes, Israel felt and experienced the power of God's Word, a Word spoken by Elijah. That Word could not be undone or suppressed or removed from Israel's life. Its power was greater than the power of the king. It was above the cries and prayers and offerings of the priests of Baal. Its power was above the groans of the people.Why this display of the Word's power? The sovereignty of the Word of the Lord had to be impressed upon the people's minds. The people had to realize the power of the Word. So, above Israel's dry fields was written this testimony:(1 Ki 17:1) "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
    God used the drought, then, to show the power of the Word spoken through His servant Elijah. By announcing the judgment in advance, God showed the strength, the power, and the truth of His Word. Everyday it did not rain, and everyday the dew did not form, reminded the people of the power of the Word of God. Everyday the sun shone mercilessly upon the land, and everyday the dry wind sucked life sustaining moisture out of the people and the land, was a reminder of the power of the Word of God.God's Word – it has power. It shut the heavens. And, at the appropriate time, it will open the heavens. 
But equally important God's desire was to open the hearts of the people to follow Him in simple faith and obedience.Why did the drought come about in the first place? The drought came about, the curse of the Word was spoken, because Israel ignored God's Word. Israel broke God's command to serve no other gods and to have no idol images – remember, she served Baal and bowed down to the golden calves at Dan and Bethel. Because Israel and her king ignored the Word of the Lord, the Word put a curse on the land.
    This was a message, then, for Israel to return to the Word of the Lord. Israel was being called upon to obey the Word. The Word of the Lord has spoken to this generation as well, and I believe has spoken clearly. The question is this, are we not only listening, but alo obeying?
 
 
          As I was reading through my devotion this morning in Number 14, I was reminded of just how much God dislikes complaining. In the previous chapter the spies have been sent into Canaan in order to bring back a report to Moses and the leadership. As moses sent them out he told them, ".....to be of good courage." Moses also told them to bring back the fruit of the land. Caleb was ready to go, and said, "...Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it." But as you read further there were the other spies who said, NO WAY! That's an obvious paraphrase. What Caleb saw was an obvious opportunity to move forward in the power of God. But the other spies saw the giants in the land, and as a result they were paralyzed in their ability to see God give them the victory.
         When you get to chapter 14 we see the result of the negative report by the spies. They, "....wept all night." This then led to complaining against Moses and Aaron. That complaining led to a revolt on the part of the people so that they want to select a new leader to take them back Egypt. Isn't it amazing that a bad report leads to complaining and the complaining leads to the people going backwards away from God's will.
          Notice what God's response was to this complaining, "How long will these people reject Me? How long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?" So, when we find ourselves complaining could it be that we are rejecting God's will for our lives. We never want to forget that in this world we will have trials and tribulation. God has told us that we will encounter obstacles in this life, but they are eventually overcome through our faithfulness to Him and His word. Complaining is a form of unbelief in the sense that it is the evidence that our faith has been hampered by fear or the visual circumstances that we encounter.
         Moses offers a prayer and a plea before the Lord on behalf of the people, "Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now." Numbers 14:20-25, reminds us of how the Lord views this complaining of the people. This wasn't the first time, but now ten times they had complained and disobeyed the Lord. The Lords response to Moses was this, "....I have pardoned, according to your word:" Rather than having to rely on God's mercy in our times of complaining, let us not be complainers, but rather compelled to walk in faith, trusting in His righteousness.