Saturday, February 19, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Psalm 45-46
SCRIPTURE READING
Philippians 3: 12-14 (NIV); but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
As Christians we have a God-given goal to join Him for all of eternity. Christ has taken hold of us, in our sinful state, so that we may take hold of this goal, and one day, see Him face-to-face! We are being called heavenward. It is very easy to live for immediate pleasures while forgetting eternal joys. Eternity seems so distant when we’re doing the daily grind, or even looking forward to an exciting event. God allows us to experience many joys in this life – fellowship with friends, vacations, marriage and family! These are wonderful things that should not be taken for granted. We need to take these pleasures and give thanks for them. Looking heavenward does not mean that we have to live solitary lives of silence in bare white rooms meditating on heaven. We can live life to the fullest, enjoying the blessings God gives us, keeping in mind that one day something much, much greater – and far more lasting – is in store for us!
It is encouraging to not Paul’s words “forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead.” If anyone had a past to regret, it was Paul, yet he was able to leave it behind. When we tap into the true life given to us by Jesus, we can actually experience the forgiveness and freedom to release us from guilt and point us towards eternal reward!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the great joy that can be found in the promises of these verses. Spend some time in worship, thanking Him for these good things!
2) Where are you experiencing guilt for past sins? Have you repented of these things? Ask God how you can forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead.
3) Meditate on our collective goal as believers, to see Jesus Christ face to face, and to spend eternity with Him. What kind of feelings, if any, does this evoke in you? Ask the Lord to give you his perspective regarding the theme of these verses and your eternal calling.
