Pastor's Pen Pulpit

January 28, 2001

PRESSING ON

Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Pressing on was Paul's delight. He was a man who never knew the word quit. He was always moving forward past the obstacles in the ministry and there were many. He faced false teachers, physical danger, and poor health But somehow he moved past those obstacles.

Note that he was pressing toward a goal-. There was an end in sight. That goal led to the prize of the upward call of God. God was-ever calling Paul upward in Christ Jesus.

I can't think of a single time when Paul let down his guard. He was always on the move either physically or mentally—or both.

You -never get anywhere by sitting on your duff. You never make progress mentally by

putting your mind in neutral. Pretty soon a person atrophies.

God has been so good to us. We have good minds we can use. My question to myself as well as to each of you is - each day as you get up are you pressing on mentally? Do you set your mind on God's Word? Does it speak to you in your heart? Do you derive daily direction for your life? How about decisions you need to make for your life, your family, your employment? There may not be direct answers to your problems - but these are principles that govern good, sound decisions for every day of our lives.

Let's work on pressing on in life together. It will be both fun and profitable. Make a list of decisions you need to make - then resolve to make them. I know I have some. Let's do it together. God bless.

Love to you all.

Thanks abundantly for the decision made by the church to keep me on salary. That is just too generous. God bless you for it!