...press on...

12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on towards the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained” Philippians 3:12-16.

One of the beautiful things about Paul is that he wishes often to encourage us in our walk of life here on earth. Today’s text is no exception when he encourages us to “press on” in our life because “Christ Jesus has made us His own” verse 12. So dear friends, whatever you are going through in your life, or whatever people you know and love are going through in their lives today, may we all never give up, but rather “press on because Christ Jesus has made us His own.”

Now isn’t that beautiful for us to hear today, this day? Press on! Don’t give up! You see, we belong to Christ! We are never alone! Christ Jesus has made each and everyone of us His own! We are His children! We belong to Him! We are His kids! We belong in His family. That’s why He gave us life! That’s why Christ Jesus died and rose from the dead! He wants us with Him for eternity, whatever that looks like! We aren’t alone! We aren’t just floating out here somewhere by ourselves. No matter what issues we are struggling with, we belong to Him! He is our Beloved Father who has never abandoned us! He has never left us alone as an orphan. We aren’t orphans, because we belong to the Lord.

So today give thanks! Have Hope! And may that be our prayer today!

Today’s Prayer

Oh Lord, I thank you that I am not alone!

I thank You that You are my Father!

I thank You that You love me so very much!

Let me never believe for a split second that I don’t belong to You.

Never let me think that You have forgotten me!

I can’t thank You enough that I belong to You,

that You have made me Your own!

So today I turn to You, and I lift up all the people who feel alone,

people I know and love.

My family and friends and prayer requests!

Those among us who feel abandoned,

may they feel Your Spirit this day

hovering within their hearts!

May they feel Your love and Your forgiveness

and your healing presence.

And this is joyfully and peacefully my prayer

through Christ Jesus our Lord,

who has made us His own!

Help me press on today, Lord!

Please, may I press on today!

Amen!