Phil 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, 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.
Not sure if saying I love hockey really captures how I feel about the sport and especially The Buffalo Sabres. I mean I LOVE HOCKEY!!! I followed the Sabres in the 70’s during the French Connection years and I probably love them as much now. To see them trailing in their best of 7 against Boston is killing me. One thing that I have picked up on in reading articles about their upcoming game tonight is this- their desire and effort to forget the past games and press on to the prize- one game at a time- The Stanley Cup!
Wow- a great an anology of the Christian life. Paul even said it in the above text. Forget what lies behind, press on to what is forward! What lies behind me are many shortcomings and failures and disappointments. At times I find myself trailing in the series of life. But the cross has spoken mercy and the grave has declared grace and victory! Through the resurrection the “prize” the Stanley Cup is ours and has been won by our beautiful Savior Jesus Christ. There is no other religion that proclaims such Good News!
Paul says that he trains to take hold of perfection in this life, knows he can’t, but rejoices that Jesus has taken hold of him! One day all will be made perfect. In the meanwhile, there are days we trail, days we make great checks, minutes in the penalty box and moments of “he scoressssssssssssssss!!!” Don’t let the past drag you down- look ahead!
I wish all the world knew the joy we have as believers in Jesus Christ.
I wish all were Sabres fans too but… I wont push that!
In Christ- The Prize Winner!
Pastor John
Pastor John
4 comments:
Through the darkest alleys and loneliest valleys
I was draggin' those heavy chains of doubt and fear
Then with one word spoken the locks were broken
Now He's leading me to places
Where there are no tears
Down by the riverside
I laid my burdens down,
Now I'm travelin' light
My spirit lifted high
I found my freedom now,
And I'm travelin' light
That’s from the song “Traveling Light” love that song.
After I read what you wrote, I thought about that song. Things happened in the past…darkest alleys and loneliest valleys…dragging those chains...and Now….He’s leading me to places where there are no tears.
You guys, it’s an awesome feeling! I too wish all the world knew the joy we have as believers in Jesus Christ.
Thank you pastor for teaching us about His mercy and forgiveness and for teaching us how to lay our burdens down…by taking it to the cross. With that, we can press on forward!! If you guys have any questions, just ask pastor, he’ll tell you in words you can understand.
Blessings,
Awesome, the comments of the Pastor hit home and are so true to life. NO matter what, turn your heart and life over to Jesus and when your faith is true and solid as the rock that Jesus is you cant help but feel the power of the Lord. It is an awesome feeling that all should feel, and they can, just come to the Lord and look to the future....one game at a time.
Thanks for sharing your responses. The Bible says to share with your instructor the things you have learned from him. That's what you guys did. Thank you and God bless you. "One game at a time" I love it!
Hockey is the greatest sport ever!!! I can totally relate to what you are saying here. Every day I beat myself up over yesterday. I wake up every morning and surrender to Christ. By the end of the first period the enemy is checking me into the boards and talking smack about yesterday and how bad I played the game. The enemy binds you in chains and before you know it you are so bound up you cant even move your head. I have been dealing with this problem for a large part of my life and after many games and many beatings mentally God showed me the answer. In Matthew Jesus teaches us about when we doubt and take our eyes off of him we drown in our sins. Jesus comes walking on the water and Peter calls out to him. Jesus tells Peter to come out to him and He also is walking on water. Peter is overcome with fear and doubt from the winds and the waves and takes his eyes off of Jesus. As soon as he looked away he started to sink. Jesus reached out and grabbed him and pulled him back up. I have heard this story too many times to recall the exact number but until a few weeks ago I finally understood what Jesus was telling us. If we take our eyes off of him we sink and go astray. My journey since this was made clear to me has been a total blessing from God. Im happier, Im more focused and things make so much more sence today, then yesterday. I realize when Im focused on Christ the enemy is ejected from the game. I pray that this will touch and show people just as Christ has revealed this to me. Praise God and Blessings.
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