Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

FRIDAY JUNE 5


WHAT WE DO

READ:
Philippians 3:13-14
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One thing I do...
I press toward the
goal for the prize
of the upward call
of God in Christ
Jesus.
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When Pulitzer Prize_winning film critic Roger Ebert died, a fellow journalist wrote of him: "With all his notoriety, honors, and celebrity, all his exclusive interviews and star-dusted encounters with movie greats, Ebert never forgot the essence of what we do__review movies. And he reviewed them with an infectious zeal and probing intellect" (Dennis King, The Oklahoman).

The apostle Paul never forgot the essence of what God wanted him to be and do. Focus and enthusiasm were at the heart of his relationship with Christ. Whether he was reasoning with philosophers in Athens, experiencing shipwreck in the Mediterranean, or being chained to a Roman soldier in prison, he focused on his calling to know "Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings" and to teach about Him (PHIL. 3:10).

While he was in prison, Paul wrote: "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, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (3:13-14). Whatever his circumstances, Paul continually pressed forward in his calling as a disciple of Christ.

May we always remember the essence, the heart, of who we are called to be and what we are called to do as followers of Jesus. __DAVID MCCASLAND

**Father, may I be willing to do what I can with all that I have, wherever I am.
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Paul was in earnest over one thing only, and that was his relationship to
Jesus Christ. __OSWALD CHAMBERS

***********************Today's Bible reading __ Philippians 3:7-17*********************
7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted
loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss
for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. 9 And be
found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is
from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know
Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship
of His sufferings, being conformed to his death, 11 If, by any
means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

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 Nevertheless, 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.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
In the verses preceding today's reading (See
vv. 4-6, Paul describes his credentials__his "confidence in the
flesh" __including his religious upbringing, his ethnic heritage, his
zeal, and a lifetime of devotion to the law of Moses. However, all
of this is nothing compared to knowing Christ and receiving the
gift of salvation (vv. 7-8).