Philippians 3:13, 14 - Thanksgiving: A Story of Persistence.
Philippians 3:13, 14 (NLT) No, dear brothers
and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but
I am focusing all my energies on this one
thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to
what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the
race and receive the prize for which God, through
Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.
Philippians 3:13, 14 (CWR) I certainly don't
consider myself as having reached perfection.
However, this one thing I do: I forget the things of
the past and press toward the goal to win the
heavenly prize God is calling me to receive through
Jesus Christ.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Here is a part of the Thanksgiving story
you may not know. While the first Thanksgiving
was celebrated in October of 1621, it was not
until October of 1777 that all 13 colonies
celebrated Thanksgiving, for the first time. At one
point, our first president, George Washington,
proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving, but conflict
and difficulties among the colonies put an end
to its observance.
It was a magazine editor, Sarah Josepha
Hale, whose work led to the celebration of the
Thanksgiving holiday we observe today. Hale wrote letters
to governors and presidents, and editorials in
magazines, books and newspapers, promoting the
observance of Thanksgiving. In 1863, after 40 years of
letter writing and campaigning (thats not a
typo, she really wrote letters for 40 years),
Hales persistence paid off and President Abraham
Lincoln proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving.
Since then, every president has supported
Thanksgiving. Forty years of dedication, persistence and
passion, all to make sure that this country would
celebrate a National Day of Thanksgiving each year.
Impressive.
We can learn from Hales perseverance.
It took her 40 years to accomplish what she set
out to do. Just like her story, the Christian
faith is often described as a marathon, not a
sprint. Each day of our life is another day to
choose between right and wrong, to help someone in
need, to read our Bible and pray. As Paul reminds
us in Philippians 3:12-14, Christians are
called to persevere, to press on. Sometimes it can
feel like an unrewarding task. It is hard, but
important, to look to God for the BIGGER plan. What if
Hale had chosen to give up after one year or ten
years? Her goal would have been left unfinished.
Press on towards the call of Christ! Endure! But
be forewarned, just like Sara Josepha Hale, it
may take 40 years to see the fruit of your
labor! by Kelly McFadden HomeWord.com.
INTRODUCTION
Our most important goal should be getting to
know Christ better. Paul says that his goal is to
know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all
Christ has in mind for him. This goal absorbs all
Paul's energy. This is a helpful example for us. We
should not let anything take our eyes off our
goal--knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an
athlete in training, we must lay aside everything
harmful and forsake anything that may distract us
from being effective Christians. [Life
Application SB]
COMMENTARY
The Scriptures plainly show that the work of
sanctification is progressive. When in conversion the
sinner finds peace with God through the blood of
the atonement, the Christian life has but just
begun. Now he is to "go on unto perfection;" to
grow up "unto the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ." Says the apostle Paul: "This one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are
behind, and reaching forth unto those things which
are before, I press toward the mark for the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13, 14. And Peter sets before us the steps
by which Bible sanctification is to be
attained: "Giving all diligence, add to your faith
virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge
temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience
godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness charity If ye do these things,
ye shall never fall." 2 Peter 1:5-10. {GC
470.1}
ILLUSTRATIONS
When Danielle's car hit a patch of black
ice, it skidded into a ditch and flipped upside
down. Though her hand had been crushed in the
impact, she was able to console her two little girls
and call for help. It was clear, however, that
she would lose her hand. She later wrote, "We
have a new norm here, and it unfolds daily." We
all face "new norms" after tragedy hits. It
could be the loss of a job, a lingering illness,
an unwanted divorce, or the death of a loved
one. Yes, life moves on, but no, it's not the
same. In today's Scripture, Paul writes, "One
thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, I press on to win
the prize for which God has called me heavenward
in Christ Jesus." Moving forward in Christ and
pursuing His will for each new day are new norms we
can all embrace.
Lord, I am so very thankful for the focus
You bring to my life. In the words of T. S.
Eliot, You are "the still point of the turning
world." No matter how many changes sweep across my
world, I can fix my eyes on You, pursue You, and
find all the purpose for living I need. [A
Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry
Libby]
Closer to the Other Side
For me in this wheelchair, shampooing my
hair requires parking in front of my bathroom
sink, leaning forward, and letting my friend Dana
'go at it' as she stands to one side and lathers
my hair.
"Joni, would you like me to wash your
face while you're under the faucet?" she asked.
"Sure," I gurgled. She took her soapy hands and
began lathering my cheeks, using the flat of her
fingers to gently wash around my eyes. I gasped. "Am
I hurting you?" Dana asked. "Oh, no, not at
all!" I said. "Please... please keep going!" How
could I explain? For that brief moment, it felt as
though her hands were mine! She was rubbing my face
exactly the way I used to do with my own hands,
decades ago. Those few brief moments were about as
close as I've ever felt to being healed! When we
finished, Dana patted my face and hair dry with a
towel. She also had to wipe away my tears. But they
weren't tears of sadness or regret. They were tears
of joy about the future. I told her, "This was
a reminder that soon I will be able to wash my
own face with new, glorified hands!"
There is less distance between me and the
future than me and the past, before I was injured.
I have come to the place where a memory can
push me joyfully into the future rather than pull
me somberly back into a sad past.
Because we are believers, the future has
a happy, magnetic pull on our hearts. Take
just few minutes today (maybe while you're on a
walk in the sunlight) to think about the new,
marvelous, perfect, immortal body that awaits you -
really, just a few years away on the Other Side.
Lord how good you are! The promises you
have given us for that radiant tomorrow help us
walk through the darkest of days on this side of
heaven. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
Treacherous Toys and You
Toys are meant to be fun, but sometimes
they can be downright dangerous. What were toy
creators thinking when they put these products on
shelves?
* Disney Princess Racing Trike. This pink
plastic three-wheeler sold from 2009 to 2011. Was it
pretty? Yes, its purple wheels and fuchsia
handlebars were a hit. Was it dangerous? Definitely. It
probably should've come with a pair of safety
goggles. For some reason, makers put a pointy castle
and three small-headed princesses on the
steering wheel. One quick stop or an accidental trip,
and kids would end up with a face full of pain.
Around 10,000 trikes sold in the United States and
Canada before the toymakers got smart and sent out
replacement handlebars that didn't feature the pokey
castle and princesses.
* Lucky Star Submarine Stationery Set.
This little submarine sold in the late 1980s
and was perfect for helping kids do their
schoolwork. Just one problem: In addition to the tape
dispenser, pencil sharpener, and drawers for pencils
and markers, it also contained a hidden razor
blade cutting tool. Putting razor blades in the
hands of little children is definitely not a good
idea. Fortunately, these subs only sold for a
three-month period before being recalled.
Aren't you glad God created you, instead
of some toymaker? All of God's creations are
perfect. Not that we're perfect, but through the help
of the Holy Spirit, we should be working toward
perfection.
In Philippians 3:12 Paul tells us, "I
don't mean to say ... that I have already reached
perfection. But I press onto possess that perfection for
which Christ Jesus first possessed me" (NLT). Like
the old saying goes, "Jesus doesn't make any
junk." But we all have areas where we can improve.
Maybe you have a bad temper, or you procrastinate,
or you have a tendency to be selfish. As you
grow closer to Jesus, you become more like him.
And he is perfect.
You'll never be recalled or need
replacement parts, but that doesn't mean you should stay
in your current condition. When Christ came
into your life, you became "new and improved." As
God continues his work in you, your goal should
be to keep improving. [Case For Christ For Kids
by Les Strobel]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
Awhile back a friend of mine who is a
very good golfer was trying to teach me how to do
a proper golf swing. I would miss the ball
completely, and it was so embarrassing. Then I talked to
someone who has been golfing for years and asked,
How long would it take for me to become
competent enough at golfing where maybe I wouldnt
embarrass myself out on the course?
I dont know, he said. Three,
maybe four years.
I thought, Forget it.
Certain sports require that you keep your
eye on the ball. That is true in life, too. In
marriage, you have to keep your eye on the ball. That
means constantly doing things to strengthen your
marriage. Dont merely be reactive; be proactive. Be
the best husband you can be. Be the best wife
you can be. Stoke the flames of your romance.
Dont neglect it.
Its also true in ministry. If God has
called you into ministry, keep your eye on the
ball. Dont rest on your laurels. Dont go
into cruise control. Be proactive, looking for
ways to be even more effective at what you do. We
take that very seriously at Harvest Christian
Fellowship. Were always trying to be the most
effective we can be in this church. And this is true
of so many things in life.
Its true of the Christian life. It
isnt always sinful things that break our focus.
Sometimes its choosing the urgent over the
important, choosing the good over whats best,
choosing the short-term over the long-term. So be
careful. The moment you take your eye off the ball
and start kicking back a little, that could be
the setup for a fall. Be constantly moving
forward, growing, learning, and becoming more like
Jesus. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE
Philippians 3:13, 14 - Forgetting the Past
and Pressing Toward the Goal.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2016/20160926-1856.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio (recent):
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
