Monday, January 7, 2019

Pastor's Ponderings, January 7, 2019

Let Us Keep On Moving

"The secret to keeping moving is keeping moving" is a quote by Dick Van Dyke. I can still see him dancing about when I saw him on television. He recently appeared in the 2018 Mary Poppins movie remake and exhibited remarkable physical agility. Much of what he did would have been difficult for many who were less than half of his age. 

We must keep moving. The evil one does not want us moving towards any goal.  The Bible tells us to press towards Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).  The evil one wants us to give up, throw in the towel, give the adversary the victory, turn tail and run.  No matter what God has assigned for us to do, the evil one uses discouragement, depression and anything else he can use to prevent us from reaching our goal.  

We are in a new year with a fresh renewal of our vision from God.  It has not been cancelled; we must still keep moving towards that vision.  We may be broke, sick, weary, and crawling over obstacles, but we have to keep moving. Victory is given to those who endure to the end (Matthew 24:13).  Those witnesses, who have gone before us, surround us and want us to succeed (Hebrews 12:1).

We have to know that we must not give the devil any advantages in our lives. We have to cede no territory to him or his plans. We must keep moving like David. When the giant Goliath challenged the shepherd boy David, he was not fearful like the rest of the Israelite Army, but ran to the battle (1 Samuel 17:43, 44, 48). 

Today, let us pick up our pace.  We will win if we do not give up. Let us keep moving, let us keep studying God’s word, let us keep praying, and let us keep on obeying God so that we can reach our destination.  God is waiting for us at our finish line.  He will never leave or abandon us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  He goes in front of us and behind us (Isaiah 52:12). Let us keep on moving toward Him.

Philippians 3:13-14
New International Version (NIV)
13 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, 
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 24:13
New International Version (NIV)
13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Hebrews 12:1
New International Version (NIV)
12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

1 Samuel 17:43, 44, 48 
New International Version (NIV)
43 He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.          
44“Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!”
48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

Isaiah 52:12
New International Version (NIV)
12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version (NIV)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”






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