Daily devotion

The Finish Line

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14 ESV

adventure athlete athletic daylight

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

In the middle of this crisis the danger that we as Christians face is to long to go back to that what we considered normal rather than a longing to go forward into the new path that God is opening ahead.

A long time ago I used to be on our school’s track team. While I was never really very good I learned a few valuable tips about how to run a long distance race.

The first thing is to pace ourselves and conserve our strength for the final lap. In the Christian life we are also in a race and we must run with the finish line in our minds. As we are in the heat of this Covid-19 war maybe we should ask ourselves a simple question, “What is God wanting to change in my life and where might He be leading?” As Paul said; in order for us to run well we need to forget what lies behind us. If we are planning and strategizing how to get back to once was we will never be able to set our eyes on where God wants us to go.

people doing marathon

Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

Secondly in order to pace ourselves properly we need to just run our own race. Everyone has a different way of running and we must not try to keep up with what other people are doing. Even though God calls all of us towards His heavenly goal, the way He has designed for each of us to run is unique. Just as Peter talked even when he didn’t know what to say, and Thomas wouldn’t take anyone else’s word for things so we are also all different, but together we form a team.

Last of all Paul encourages us to press towards the goal. The United States and the world at large will never be the same after this Corona virus fades into history. But God’s purpose of bringing men and women to His kingdom remains unchanged. If we waste all of our energy at trying to go back to what once was we will miss the opportunity to discover what might be. So like Paul, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the prize because the finish line is in sight!

Our Heavenly Country

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16 ESV

Two months ago few of us bothered to worry much about our seemingly invincible economy or give more than a second thought to  some medieval plague striking from out of the blue.  But since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic many of us have  been  rudely awakened to just how fragile our American dream really is. In my own personal experience I discovered that the house we had just put on the market, could not be shown to anyone. The visit to see our grandson’s graduation was cancelled and our 47th anniversary dinner (Tomorrow) is going to be take-out from Olive Garden.

 

But no matter our experience in this crisis, what the Apostle Paul tells us still holds true.

For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling. 2 Corinthians 5:2

I am not saying that the sufferings our friends, family and neighbors are passing through don’t matter. What I am discovering is that I have had my eyes focused on things of only temporary value while rarely remembering what matters most. But now that Heavenly country shines brighter than ever and it is not only for me but for anyone who will trust Jesus as Lord and Savior. On the cross Jesus has purchased for us a home with no taxes due, no repairs scheduled and which will never go up for sale. All He has asked us to do is to point others to a place that is better than our American dream. It is our heavenly country where what matters most will never pass away! Have a great week everyone. God bless and stay safe!

The Power of the Gospel

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 ESV 

We often look at the telling of the story of Jesus’ life as if it were simply recounting one adventure after another. But when we look a bit deeper we discover that most of the Gospel is actually about the word of God revealed either through the teaching or ministry of Jesus.

John reminds us of this at the beginning of His account;  -In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was with God and The Word was God.   John 1:1

For example think of how the parable of the sower teaches us to be careful how we listen to God’s word. Jesus tells us that its transforming power only works when if enters our hearts in a way that changes our behavior and attitudes. Then directly afterward Jesus heads off in a boat with his disciples and He falls asleep after a long day. But as they begin to sail away into the sunset a terrible storm comes up and in desperation His disciples shake him awake crying out in fear. Then Jesus gets up and commands the wind and waves and – what do they do? – They immediately obey His word.

grayscale photo of body of waves

Photo by Matt Hardy on Pexels.com

Today it is no different. God’s power in our lives occurs not by our reading, listening to or even watching films about the Bible. It only takes root when it comes in power; so that our believing and receiving forms a living connection with Him. When we get truly connected to Him then proclaiming His word to others will become more and more a natural outflow. Maybe one part of God’s purpose in this moment when we are shut in has been to give us opportunity to connect in a deeper way with the true Gospel. If we will treasure this time, then both in the middle of the storm and when it is over; His Gospel will work in power both in our hearts and around us on little patch of earth.