OUR DAILY BREAD : KEEP REACHING FOR THE TOP

[cimi]

December 3
Monday



KEEP REACHING
FOR THE TOP


READ:
Phillippians 3:12-21
___________________________________________

Grow in the grace and
knowledge of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ.
__ 2 Peter 3:18
___________________________________________

Jon Krakauer, author and mountain climber, was determined to reach the "roof of the world," the peak of Mt. Everest. In an arduous ascent that killed some of his fellow climbers, he persevered. On May 10, 1996, he reached the summit.

"I understood on some dim, detached level that [the sweep of earth beneath my feet] was a spectacular sight," wrote Krakauer of that moment. "I'd been fantasizing about this moment, and the realease of emotion that would accompany it, for many months. But now that I was finally here, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, I just oculdn't summon the energy to care."

Temporal goals can never fully satisfy. We see this in the ministry of Paul. He told the believers in Philippi: "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). It is the goal "for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (v.12). He will "transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (v.21).

That goal can provide the most powerful incentive. It inspires us to become more and more like Jesus. Every upward step gives us joyful soul-satisfaction. How diligently are we striving to reach that goal? __Vernon Grounds
_____________________________________________________________

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I'm pressing on the upward way,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~New heights I'm gaining every day__~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Still praying as I'm onward bound,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." __ Oatman~~~~~~
_____________________________________________________________

Don't let contentment with earthly goals prevent
you from attaining eternal gains.

***********Today's bible Reading__ Philippians 3:12-21**************

12 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. 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,

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

15 Therefore let us, as
many as are mature,
have this mind; and if
in anything you think
otherwise, God will
reveal even this to you.

16 Neverthless, to the
degree that we have already
attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the
same mind.

17 Brethren, join in
following my example, and
note those who so walk, as
you have us for a pattern

18 For many walk, of whom
I have told you often, and
now tell you even weeping,
that they are the enemies
of the cross of Christ:

19 whose end is destruction,
whose god is their belly,
and whose glory is in their
shame__who set their mind
on earthly things. 20 For our
citizenship is in heaven,
from which we also eagerly
wait for the Savior, the
Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who
will transform our lowly
body that it may be
conformed to His glorious
body, according to the
working by which He is
able even to subdue all
things to Himself.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

In verses 18-19, Paul describes the enemies of the cross. They
are on a path to destruction, driven by their desires and proud of
shameful things. What a contrast to the citizens of heaven, who are
transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ: (vv.20-21). __WEC