In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul wrote: “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. Paul did not claim to have made it as a Christian but he looked forward and pressed in to the things of God that he might be all God wanted him to be.

Jesus told us that because he lives is in us, we can be perfect (John 17:23). In Matthew 11:12, the Apostle described the violent taking the Kingdom of God by force. This describes those who are desperate for God pressing in to him.

What does this all mean? We can aspire to like Jesus but it will take effort on our part. Not fleshly effort but effort in the spiritual realm to press in to know God and be like him. Paul exhorted us to get rid of the old life and habits we walked in before we were Christians and live the life of holiness that God has for us (Eph 4:21-24).    There is no room for complacency or coasting in our spiritual walk. If we want to be all he wants us to be, to have all he has for us and to be used of him we need to press into God in his word and in prayer and fellowship with him every day. As we press in the Holy Spirit will move in our lives to change us, bless us and use us. Try it, the results are Guaranteed.

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Sometimes we can get to thinking that God will bless so and so but not me; why should he be concerned about me when we think others are so much more holy. Well, remember that you are his child and that he has no favorites, he doesn’t view anyone better than another; in other words, he sees us and loves us all the same (John 1:12; Rom 2:11).

“For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit” (1 Cor 12:12-13; KJV). In the body of Christ, the church, there are many people, with different origins and with different giftings and abilities, but God views us and loves us all the same.

He wants all to be saved and none to be lost (1 Tim 2:4) and he teaches us not to treat one person better than another (James 2:1-4). We should hold our heads up and never compare ourselves to others; when we do that, we compare our weaknesses to others strengths.

God sees each one of us as his work of art, his poem: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works” (Eph 2:10).  God loves us all just the way we are; O, how he loves us.

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In Nehemiah 8:10 it is written: “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (KJV). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit in us (Gal 5:22); it will naturally well up in us as we allow God to inhabit us, as we focus on him and press in to him. It just has to be expressed.

From the definitions of the words used, the bible talks of its expression in dancing, spinning, cheering and singing (Hab 3:18; Psalm 30:5), despite our outward situation (Col 1:11; James 1:2). “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation: (Hab 3;18). “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations” (James 1:2).

In Zephaniah 3:17 the picture is of God’s joy over his people expressed in wild spinning, dancing and singing.  Get alone with him and think on the goodness of God and allow God’s joy to well up in you and be expressed, it will do you a world of good and strengthen you. “For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

If we all allowed God’s joy to well up in us how our corporate praise and worship at church would change.

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“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7; KJV). Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps 55:22). These verses are fairly clear, so why do we cast and then reclaim our burdens; why do we hang on to them?  It’s probably because we need to know the word more, build up our faith and refuse to allow satan to talk us out of the freedoms the word brings us (Rom 10:17; John 8:32 and 36).

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt 11:28-30).

What was Jesus teaching us here? We need to learn to not try to labor in our own strength but to do thing his way. His way is easy and does not come with any cares or anxiety. Be still before the Lord (Ps 46:10), don’t be anxious (Matt 6:31), trust him and let him calm the storms (Luke 8:24)!

O me, O my, the Lord is preaching to me. Lord, your word is so straight forward, help us to press in to your word.

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“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor.1:9; KJV). The word called means invited or called. The word fellowship is the Greek word koinonia, which means intimate fellowship.

Prior to Christs death and resurrection only a few selected people were able to enjoy an intimate relationship with God. God said of Moses: “I speak with him face to face” (Num 12:8). Jesus poured himself into his disciples during his earthly ministry (John 13:1-7). When Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom by God (Matt 27:51). By his sacrifice Christ won forgiveness for us (Col 1:14) and the way was opened for his people to enter into the very thrown room of God. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).  

Isn’t it great that God, the creator of the universe, has invited us to have this intimate fellowship with him through Jesus? “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6).  Let`s not ignore the invitation, and remember, we don’t have to fellowship at a specific time, we can enter in at any and every time; whenever we want to.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.