ECWA Food for the Day this Tuesday 25 October, 2022

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2022

TEXT: Philippians 3:12-21

12. I don’t mean that I am exactly what God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal. But I continue trying to reach it and make it mine. That’s what Christ Jesus wants me to do. It is the reason he made me his.

13. Brothers and sisters, I know that I still have a long way to go. But there is one thing I do: I forget what is in the past and try as hard as I can to reach the goal before me.

14. I keep running hard toward the finish line to get the prize that is mine because God had called me through Christ Jesus to life up there in heaven.

15. All of us who have grown to be spiritually mature should think this way too. And if there is any of this that you don’t agree with, God will make it clear to you.

16. But we should continue following the truth we already have.

17. Brothers and sisters, join together in following my example. Also, learn by watching those who are living the way we showed you.

18. There are many who live like enemies of the cross of Christ. I have often told you about them. And it makes me cry to tell you about them now.

19. The way they live is leading them to destruction. They have replaced God with their own desires. They do shameful things, and they are proud of what they do. They think only about early things.

20. But the government that rules us in in heaven. We are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from there.

21. He will change our humble bodies and make them like his own glorious body. Christ can do this by his power, with which he is able to rule everything.

(Easy-to-Read Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: BE GUIDED BY THE HEAVENLY VISION

Paul was a truly humble leader who never took pride in is status or over-inflated his position in Christ. He acknowledged his limitations while at the same time accepting his responsibility in the Christian life. He insisted that “I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it [eternal life or perfection in Christ]” (vs. 12-13).

Paul deliberately chose to live the life of godliness, looking to his promised inheritance in Christ kept for him in heaven. He was guided by this heavenly vision.

Christians should follow Paul’s example and stay focused on our heavenly citizenship. We must resist the temptation to focus on the earth and its pleasures, as some have done and are still doing to the detriment of their life.

Our hope is on Jesus Christ who has promised to transform our weak and frail bodies from mortality into immortality. It is therefore necessary for us to follow the example of Paul.

QUESTION: What vision guides you?

PRAYER: I have decided to follow Jesus (3x), no turning back, no turning back! So help me Jesus, Amen.