FOCUS POINT

October 5, 2008

"Pressing on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own" (Phil. 3:12)

There are some important words Paul shares with the Church at Philippi... "Pressing On" "Share" "Goal" "Straining Forward" "What lies ahead" "Forgetting what lies behind"

Everything in scripture gives testimony to the forward nature of God. The life that is before us in Christ is not one of idle complacency but rather a transformed life which addresses the future with hope and vision. Our past is behind us and while we remember the past it is not the place in which we live, dwell and have our being. Ours is the future hope we embrace in Christ. That which is before us is the adventure God calls us to participate in. The past is not without its formative importance in our lives. Out of the past, our collective experiences, we gain wisdom. Wisdom gained helps us to navigate the future but it never binds us to continue to repeat the past -- only to learn from it.

Paul states, "Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ." Christ is our future! In Christ we have become a new creation -- born not of the flesh -- but born of God! Habits, behavior, attitudes and lifestyles are transformed as we encounter the newness of life we embrace in Christ. Everyday is a new day with fresh opportunities before us. How will we live this present and forward moving adventure? What steps have we taken to be formed in Christ and embrace God's good future for us? The past is gone -- our future in Christ is before us!

The Texts:

Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

Psalm 19

Philippians 3:4b-14

Matthew 21:33-46

Read, Pray, Reflect, Enjoy!

Love in Christ,

Rev Roy

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Now may the Lord bless you and keep you may the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. May the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace!