Daily Bread_October 28, 2013

Title: The Fork in the Road … Now What do I do?

Text:

Philippians 3:12-16 (NLT)
¹² I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.
¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Observation:

Life is a journey; in our text Paul uses the analogy of life being a race. The hymn writer says, "There's a race to be run; there's a victory to be won". Those who run a race in a track meet run to win; so should we run to win the race of life.

Today, I go to the Word of God in search of direction to help me to stay on the straight and narrow path that will lead me to where my victor's crown awaits me.

What do you do when you come to the fork in the road? You can look back at the past; successes and failures. Or, you can look around to see what others are doing or saying. However, these activities often result in losing the race. The winners in a track meet are those who look ahead; they look to the finish line.

Here is what I know from being on this journey of running the race of life for 64 years.

1.       Ask for help (Prayer is the life blood of God's people).

2.       Seek the truth (Jesus is the truth; he is revealed in His Word; the Bible).

3.       Watch and Pray (Keep doing the last thing the Lord told you to do until He tells you something new).

4.       When He answers your plea for help; do what He says.

Don't do it your way, don't do it the world's way. Take the upward look, the better way, do it God's way. God knows the way, He will show you the way, and He will go with you all the way. It's the upward way that will get you home. Go with Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we don't have to run the race of life alone. Lord, I thank you for your abiding presence in the hearts and lives of your people.

Father God, I realize that it is only by your presence and power that I can run this race successfully and win the prize. Lord, by your wisdom and power I have decided, and I am determined to press on. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn.php/h/396#ixzz2j0prjLel

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Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

My blog: Sharing the Word of God Daily:

 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/