PASTORS' DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Jun
13

My New Assignment

John Tilton

Scripture
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Observation
Earlier in the chapter, Paul makes note of his fleshly accomplishments of an Israelite, circumcised, a Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee, a zeal for what he thought was right and based on the law, faultless. Thus, in the eyes of most people of that time, he was very successful, accomplished and had achieved most of what people of that time dream and aspire to. Yet, he realized that as Christ took hold of his life, all that he had achieved and accomplished was not the ultimate prize that he was placed on this earth for, or that God had called him for as his purpose and assignment. Thus, he knew that his accolades were things of the past to be forgotten and not dwelt on, but he was to look toward the future of what Christ was calling him to and for as his new assignment; a heavenly assignment as opposed to earthly desires.
Application
Much is the same today in life where we are taught and encouraged to seek and strive for the things of society that seem so worthy and beneficial; a good education, a good career, position, a nice house, a loving family, the latest in styles, trends and the “in thing” or latest fad. Nothing of those desires and goals are bad or sinful in themselves unless we pervert them toward evil. Thus, we are blessed to realize and receive these blessings in our lives. However, what Paul is teaching us is that we have a new assignment that is from and for heavenward, given our relationship with Jesus Christ that therefore defines our life in Christ, our call on our life, who we are in Christ and the prize with seek for Christ’s sake. Thus, each day, I will press on toward the goal to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has called me. Although I may have been blessed to achieve much in life in the eyes of society, and am thankful for those material things and possessions that are provisions of life here on earth, my eyes, heart, desires and efforts need to be focused on the prize that Christ has called me to strive toward; His will, His call and assignment to serve Him in all that I do.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I thank you for the achievements and things in life that you have blessed me to realize and receive. Thank you more so for the new assignment on my life to serve you in all that I do to win the prize that you have set before me. May I follow in obedience and win that heavenward prize.

Devotions for June 13

1 Kings 13,14
2 Chronicles 12
Philippians 3

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