by George | Jun 22, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14
I started using a step tracker app to keep up with how far I walk, i.e. exercise.
It also keeps up with how long I walk and the calories. It has some built in daily “goals.”
After a couple of days, the app noticed I hadn’t reached the calorie burning goal. ( I guess I wasn’t working hard enough!)
The app asked me if I wanted to “adjust” the goal. Make it more attainable.
At first it was tempting. “Maybe I can settle for an easier goal and SOMEDAY reach the higher goal.”
There was also this thought that I was failing. (That’s not a good feeling!)
Ultimately, I decided to keep the goal. I can’t say that I have attained it yet, but I’m going to keep pressing on. A little at a time.
What if Paul had just “settled” for an ordinary life? Just getting by. Lowered his goal.
Where would be our inspiration to keep running the race? Let’s keep our goal just like Paul.
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:10-11
Sure, we are going to stumble sometimes, but if you keep your eyes on Jesus, and commit your life fully to Him, you will reach the goal. —
Blessings!Pastor George Nix
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by George | Jun 15, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Choose Joy..,
Have you noticed that television stations repeat some of the commercials over and over again? (Sometimes I turn the volume down to avoid getting nauseated!)
One such commercial is for American Home Shield, an agency that offers warranties on major appliances, etc. They show 3 different homeowners with equipment that is malfunctioning. One lady’s central air unit is literally blowing her out the door, while she is sitting in her chair. She is smiling as she tells you about the product. As she’s being blown outside her house she exclaims, “It’s a beautiful day!”
I’m not so sure I would be so positive about the situation if it happened to me.
Then I thought: She’s choosing joy in the midst of her adversity! Joy is a choice. Everyday we wake up, we have a decision to make. Will I rejoice and be glad I’m the day the Lord has made or will I be sour and bitter?
“This is the day that the Lord has made WE WILL rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24
Choose Joy! —
Blessings!Pastor George Nix
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by George | Jun 7, 2020 | Community News, Devotional, Newsletter
Let’s Go Through It…
Remember the children’s song “We’re Going On A Bear Hunt” ?
“We’re going on a bear hunt. We’re going catch a big one. What a beautiful day!
We’re not scared.
Uh-uh!
A river!
A deep cold river. We can’t go over it. We can’t go under it.
Oh no!
We’ve got to go through it!
Splash splosh! Splash splosh! Splash.”
You can’t go over it. You can’t go under it. You’ve got to go through it.
How I wish sometimes we had a “Get out of trouble” card, much like the Monopoly game card that let you “Get out of jail free.”
But, life doesn’t work that way.
Jesus told His disciples:
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We find hope in the knowledge that Jesus has overcome the world and we can too!
And remember what Jesus told His disciples as part of the “Great Commission.”
“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
So, when you come to the “deep cold river,” remember that God is with you, by faith. You are going to make it through this!–
Blessings!Pastor George Nix
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