"I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:14
When you're in a war, you've got to fight for every inch of ground...
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:14
When you're in a war, you've got to fight for every inch of ground...
The enemy is not going to give it to you. You've got to take it from him, even if it takes every ounce of your strength.
For me, this is how I'm seeing life. It can be an adventure, but a battle as well. And I'm glad it is. Because when a follower of Jesus Christ goes through his trials trusting in the Lord for the outcome, this is how his faith will mature. And as he develops along, the Lord can entrust him to do greater works for the kingdom.
So as I push through summer's oppressive heat along with an array of strange and frustrating trials, the Lord is showing me that it's all for a greater purpose. Father God is making me into a warrior who could endure all manner of hardship. While the Holy Spirit is likewise teaching me how to navigate through life's storms.
And this, I believe, is what every follower of Messiah Jesus needs to see and understand. Our difficulties and problems do not come about by happenstance. They come by design. And even if the cause of such things is the devil, God will use it to our advantage. With the Lord, nothing is wasted.
Frankly, it has taken me many years to grasp this. Our trials and hardships are good for us. But we need to trust the Lord when such things come our way. The Christian need not run from them, but rather face them prepared.
That's why the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in the ancient city of Ephesus, instructs us to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18). So that we can stand firm in our faith and be fully prepared whenever temptations come our way.
The Lord has equipped us to fight, and not to flee. Even if reaching the heavenly finish line takes one inch at a time, it will all be worth it when we enter our heavenly home.
D.B.
For me, this is how I'm seeing life. It can be an adventure, but a battle as well. And I'm glad it is. Because when a follower of Jesus Christ goes through his trials trusting in the Lord for the outcome, this is how his faith will mature. And as he develops along, the Lord can entrust him to do greater works for the kingdom.
So as I push through summer's oppressive heat along with an array of strange and frustrating trials, the Lord is showing me that it's all for a greater purpose. Father God is making me into a warrior who could endure all manner of hardship. While the Holy Spirit is likewise teaching me how to navigate through life's storms.
And this, I believe, is what every follower of Messiah Jesus needs to see and understand. Our difficulties and problems do not come about by happenstance. They come by design. And even if the cause of such things is the devil, God will use it to our advantage. With the Lord, nothing is wasted.
Frankly, it has taken me many years to grasp this. Our trials and hardships are good for us. But we need to trust the Lord when such things come our way. The Christian need not run from them, but rather face them prepared.
That's why the apostle Paul, in his letter to the church in the ancient city of Ephesus, instructs us to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:10-18). So that we can stand firm in our faith and be fully prepared whenever temptations come our way.
The Lord has equipped us to fight, and not to flee. Even if reaching the heavenly finish line takes one inch at a time, it will all be worth it when we enter our heavenly home.
D.B.
