"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 3:13-14 (NIV).
Specialist tree loggers are skilled in how to fell trees. A skilled tree logger will certainly ensure that any tree cut falls forward- that is, it does not swing back taking other trees down with it. A tree logged should not fall anyhow as in the way of others or block a main road. The loggers are mindful of all and do use their skills to ensure trees fall without retarding them to go forward in their work.
In life there is such a thing as falling forward. A fall may be precipitated by a stumble. One could stumble financially incurring a certain expense that devastates ones finances. There could be a stumble that affects a relationship. Stumbles can come from anywhere and set one back.
When you stumble, which happens to the very best, it is often a question of do you fall backwards or forward. If a body falls backwards it might be a challenge to pick up due to injury. But a body that falls forward, like those tree loggers, is in better control of the situation and is able to pick up and move forward.
So, as with our leading verse today, let us aspire to fall forward wherever we stumble. I shouldn't be a matter that one did stumble and fell; rather, that you fall forward, and are quick to pick up and push forward for the prize ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I choose to fall forward, picking up where I stumble, and looking forward as I press on for the prize that awaits those that persevere in faith, this I pray in Jesus's name.
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
