Guys, I sat down this morning with no idea what I’d write. Philippians 3:10 jumped out to me as I read it. I felt peace to write on this topic and asked the Holy Spirit to help me. As I began to write, I got a nudge to check out my old writings. If I’m honest, I felt a little deflated at the thought. Like, okay, I guess I didn’t hear God on Philippians 3:10. Guys, apparently, I wrote a post on this last year and never posted. I don’t even remember writing this, but I believe this is for someone today. I wrote during the pandemic, and though we are coming out of this, a lot of us are still home, worried about family members, frustrated about rebuilding — basically impacted in some way. Even if you braised through the pandemic, there might be other things that hold you back or make you fearful. I encourage you, stay in faith and press into Jesus in whatever direction He leads. Love you guys; see you next week! Enjoy this read!
Hi friends! The last time we spoke, I was encouraging you about all that was happening in the world. Today, I’m focusing on what’s going on with you, despite the obvious. Are you still making strides in your relationship with Christ? Have you gotten a little lazy about it? Has the state of the world stolen your desire for Him? There seems to be a lot of hopelessness going around, and I’m here to remind you that whatever you do, DO NOT CATCH IT, continue to press forward. Let’sLet’s press into the one that is greater and what he has for us.
Am I pressing on in faith? This is the question that I have been challenging myself with continuously lately. Even as I wrote this blog post, I felt like giving up. But there is something that I am putting into practice. No matter how hard or frustrating life gets, I am giving myself no other option but to press forward for promises God has spoken to me. If you want to join me on my journey to greater here are 3 truths to be reminded of why we press.
“But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us.”— Philippians 3:12 – 14
Pressing causes a shift. What is the actual meaning of the word “press”? To move or cause to move into a position of contact with something by exerting continuous physical force. I love that Paul uses the word press in this scripture because it is an honest description of our walk with God as Christians. Every day in every moment, we are pressing toward God’sGod’s desire for our lives. It takes continuous action to go against the grain of our own desires, personal bondage, societal norms, temptations, and whatever else. But know this, walking with God is not a passive journey; it takes real effort. Over time, your effort will cause a shift that will directly impact where the pressure is applied. We often wonder when will it be our turn to elevate, when will we see the transformation, when will we receive? Be mindful that things begin to shift when we press. Apply pressure by pressing in prayer, pressing in our faith, pressing in our choices, pressing in our discipline, pressing in the renewal of our minds according to God’sGod’s word. If you are waiting for breakthrough in an area, assess your pressing.
Pressing leads to perfection. One thing I can appreciate about Jesus is that he embodies destiny. He represents the future that we didn’t know we needed or wanted. I look at my life today and I see God’sGod’s intentionality and craftsmanship. I look at myself, and I know that I am a work in progress. Yet, I see how much I have progressed. I’ve experienced that God will not lead you in life to wander aimlessly. The goal is perfection. Not that everything in our lives will be perfect, but that we will live the life God has entrusted us with and has chosen for us. Paul stated that he was pressing towards the perfection that Jesus Christ possessed him for. We have the Spirit of Christ in us for this purpose. When we commune with the Holy Spirit, we can ensure that our pressing is not in vain. Just like Paul, we can get closer and closer to God’sGod’s unique perfection.
Forget life as you know it. We’ve been hearing that a lot these days as we enter into our “new normal.”I’m hoping that God will turn the events of this time for our good. But in many areas of my personal life, I am striving to forget life as I know it. There are places that I have been stagnant because I was guilty of my past, or I didn’t want to change the way I thought or lived. It was comfortable for me, but to an extent, it was also bondage. God used His Word to free me. He showed me that we can come to repent and forget our past life as we move forward in life with him. As a matter of fact I believe we cannot allow ourselves to hold those things over our own heads (don’t allow others to do it either). Letting go of the past, you press forward not looking back to win your race. This is God’s way of shaking off everything that separates you from Him and the perfection that he is working in you!
It wouldn’t be fair if I didn’t bring up this obvious truth. If you are pressing there must be some form of opposition. I’m not saying go on a search to find opposition. I’m saying when it comes, don’t be surprised and don’t stop pushing. The opposition may come in negative thoughts, a tired body, problems with friends and family, sickness, or spiritual attacks. There are many ways that opposition can show up at your door. Remember, the perfection we press towards is not a perfect life but allowing God’s Spirit to completely possess us to do life His way through us.
I know times may be really hard or scary for some of us, but God’s promises are still true even in 2020 (now 2021). So do not neglect your personal growth and development with God. The Kingdom of Heaven is still in tact and God is still on his throne. So press forward and press into him. In this season allow the Holy Spirit to perfect some things in you!
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