It is safe to say that winter has welcomed itself to Michigan, I am not sure about you, but I did not welcome it in. For me I love the Christmas season, but I dread the cold. I know that with Christmas and snow comes those sub degree temperatures that feels like we live at the North Pole! The simple task of taking the trash out and letting the dog out to go to the bathroom becomes something I don't want to do. Sarah and myself like to remind each other in those moments that we don’t have to do it, we get to do it. We use this saying jokingly but, in all seriousness, we know deep down we are blessed. Blessed to have a house and a place to take our trash to so it doesn't pile up, blessed to have not just a cat but also a dog. It should be our honor to take care of the things around us. Paul writes in today’s scripture that
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
He goes on to talk about how he wants to know the resurrection and become like Jesus in his death. He wants to lay it all down for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul shows us over and over how to be a passionate disciple. It is not about the gains in life. The houses we live in and the cars we drive and all the other earthly things we have will not go with us to heaven but let's take it a step further. The popularity of the workplace or the world. We need to look for the treasures we can store in heaven and not on this world. Paul goes on to say I have not yet reach my goal but I press on. The Christian live is not an easy road. However, when trials and temptations come and we fight against the flesh it is our honor to remain steadfast in Christ. Paul ends today’s verses by saying
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Let us press on towards the goal we have in heaven!
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
He goes on to talk about how he wants to know the resurrection and become like Jesus in his death. He wants to lay it all down for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul shows us over and over how to be a passionate disciple. It is not about the gains in life. The houses we live in and the cars we drive and all the other earthly things we have will not go with us to heaven but let's take it a step further. The popularity of the workplace or the world. We need to look for the treasures we can store in heaven and not on this world. Paul goes on to say I have not yet reach my goal but I press on. The Christian live is not an easy road. However, when trials and temptations come and we fight against the flesh it is our honor to remain steadfast in Christ. Paul ends today’s verses by saying
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Let us press on towards the goal we have in heaven!