Reaching Forward

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One sure sign of stagnation in the Christian walk is a deepening desire for nostalgia – that sick sense of longing for the good old days.  Solomon reminds us that dwelling on an idealistic view of the past is pointless:

Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’
For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.”
                                             – Ecclesiastes 7:10 (NKJV)

As followers of Jesus, we need to keep looking forward if we ever expect to keep up.  We do not follow a Savior who stands still – much less one who walks backwards.  The future is the only time available for us to apply the lessons we’re learning right now.  The future offers the only opportunity there is to experience the result of our spiritual growth.

Paul realized that even he was a work in progress.  The Christian can always be sure that the best is yet to come.  Reaching forward is the only way to get to it.  The Lord has a future planned for you that you don’t want to miss.

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 (NKJV)

Grace Full, Truth Full, Joy Full

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The glory of God is revealed to us in Jesus.  How can we describe it?  John was one of those who beheld it, and he put it like this:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14 (NKJV)

He is full of grace and truth.  This is how Charles Spurgeon summed it up: “Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace he is full, infinitely full.” There is so much grace and truth within Him, it’s as if grace and truth were never seen on earth before Jesus showed up.

For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” – John 1:17 (NKJV)

The blessing is multiplied when we realize that He has shared this fullness with us, His followers.

And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.” – John 1:16 (NKJV)

This is no dry, distant fact.  It’s something tangible and to be experienced.  Having received from Him, it is now our great privilege and pleasure to enjoy all that we have in the way of fellowship with God and one another.

That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” – 1 John 1:3-4 (NKJV)

Thanks → Peace → Perseverance

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A thankful heart is a valuable asset.  The New Testament reminds us to thank God “always for all things” (Ephesians 5:20) and to “in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).  That’s a pretty tall order for most of us.  Yet even in the midst of prayer about things that would otherwise make us anxious, the reminder remains that these prayers should be offered “with thanksgiving.”

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

If Paul could write that and mean it from his prison cell, I can probably pay attention at my desk.  What’s more, if this attitude of prayer and thanksgiving leads, as it does, to God’s peace guarding my heart and mind, then I will have already received all that I need to keep going.  God’s peace is the only acceptable substitute for a prayer that has yet to be answered.  No doubt this very “peace of God” helped that apostle display such remarkable perseverance.  I want to be like him when I grow up.

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. -2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NKJV)

Palmer St. Podcast: John 1

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Today we begin the Gospel of John.  This Gospel differs somewhat from the first three, as it was written later and used by John to fill in some gaps in the life of Jesus that the others had not included in their stories.  While all four Gospels tell of the miracles Christ performed, John spends more time on the teaching or events that took place in conjunction with the miracles.  In so doing he fills the miracles with meaning.

Jesus is introduced to us as the Word, who was with God and was God from the beginning – a testimony to the deity of Christ.  We’ll also meet John the Baptist, Christ’s relative, who declares Him to be “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.”  Both John the Baptist and Nathanael, an early follower of Jesus, quickly conclude that He is the “Son of God.”

Listen: John01.mp3 

Read: John01.pdf