I couldn’t post a devotional yesterday because the Lord was pressing the words so firmly on my heart. He graciously opened my eyes to my own sin, lest I forget, just how very far I have to go and how very, very much I need Him.

I confess I’ve been down over this world around me, but when I look in the mirror, there’s still lots to be deeply concerned about in my own life. About my own sin.

The Lord made it clear to me again yesterday that I have not arrived. I surprised myself over the ugly sin that so easily entangled me- just yesterday.

God reminded me, lest I fall in ugly pride, that I have not arrived.

I have not arrived, so I will press on, with my eyes squarely fixed on the One who paid my debt, won my prize, and calls me heavenward.

Paul wrote, (even Paul wrote),
“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.” (Phil 3:12-15)

As much as Paul had endured, for all the lessons he had learned (and taught, teachers), for every victory over the evil one, and every suffering he had faced for the cause of Christ, Paul knew he had yet not arrived.

So I better know it too! I better not forget!

There remained in Paul an amazing humility. And I am taking note! I am asking the Lord to root out pride in my life and help me to be sick of even one ounce!

We should all be careful to refute pride in our own lives, and we should be on guard when we sense it in others -and especially others we look to as our spiritual teachers and leaders.

No one is too big to fall to sins dread sway!

If we are truly maturing spiritually, we should have this same “not yet arrived” mentality of Paul.

And truly, the more we get to know our Perfect Savior, the more we should realize just how very, very far we have to go.

Who can fathom the depths of His love and goodness? Who can look to the Lord and have any reaction but that of Isaiah who said, “ Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isa 6:5)

God alone is HOLY! He ALONE is good! All glory, honor and power are due to Him alone!!

And “ far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whichb the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Gal 6:14)

May this be our hearts. May we daily be diligent to ask the Lord to show us our sin (He will!) and forsake it and run to the Savior. May we never forget just how very much we need Jesus every single day!

Paul understood this and diligently pressed on to know Christ more and more and to share Him with others.

May our lips tell, May our feet go, May our hands give until there be no more breath in us!

May we do this to the glory of the Jesus the One we need every second, all the way Home!!

readPhiliippians

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