Persevering Heavenward

     Has Jesus taken hold of your life? Has there been a time when you have been able to hold on to Him when nothing made sense? Have you understood the deep peace and even joy of His love during a time of suffering? If not, maybe the Scripture verses from this week will give you strength and hope for those very times in the future or for whatever is going on in your life at this moment.

     Paul wrote most of the New Testament. Jesus changed his life one day as he was traveling on the road to Damascus. Prior to that life-changing moment he was a Jewish leader sent to persecute the Christians. He suffered greatly for his faith in the years to follow. Here are some words from Paul to end this week of study on persevering in our faith, words of encouragement written from a prison cell.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 3:12-14

     We can do this. Take hold of all that Jesus is offering. He offers hope and joy and peace and His supernatural power as we live out our earthly lives, straining at times and persevering through pain, but keeping our eyes focused on the prize of heaven. We are always moving heavenward in Christ Jesus. Let’s live each day fully committed to the calling of our faith.

Dear Jesus,

We thank You for the Words of Scripture that prepare us tor each day. Your Word changes our hearts and our minds. Guide each one of us today in hope, joy, peace and power with the help of the Holy Spirit living within us.

Amen