Press On and On -- Day 2

Camp Venango for Jesus 2013

Theme: Press On

Day 2 – Run for the Prize

Read Philippians 3:13-14

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.  (NIV)

Races are easy right? You just jump in, run like the wind, and collect your prize.

Not hardly. To even have a chance at the prize you have to prepare. Get outfitted with the best equipment. A good runner trains, practices, and eats well. They do it for the pure joy of running – and for a prize. But most prizes don’t last long. Fame is fleeting and medals tarnish. The prize Paul is talking about will never fade.

The prize isn’t your ticket to heaven. You aren’t running, striving, or working to win your salvation. That’s a gift, bought and paid for by Jesus when he died on the cross. The day you confessed your sins and accepted God’s forgiveness – your salvation was sealed in heaven. It wasn’t because of anything you did, it’s not because you are worthy; it’s because of Jesus. And that, my friend, is the ticket that got you into this race!

But if God’s Word says there’s a prize, then believe it, there’s a prize!

·         Phil. 3:13-14 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. 

·         1^st Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

The prize helps us stay focused and gives direction, something to aim for. We’re aiming for heaven and the joy of seeing Jesus face-to-face. The prize will be hearing God say, “Well done.”  That will happen if you prepare for your race. Get some Bible knowledge by reading God’s Word to get it into your heart and mind. Spend time with God in prayer. Hang out with good Christian friends, and worship with other believers – join a church. 

While you’re running the race, don’t steamroll over people along the way. Help anyone in need who crosses your path, and don’t neglect people who believe differently than you.  That’s all part of the golden rule, and the second greatest commandment.

·         Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

·         Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Okay, you’re ready, you’re set…now go.

Prayer Time: Heavenly Father, You are grand, unfathomable, holy, and absolutely awesome! You’ve called me to run the race you’ve stretched out before me. Help me to run it well. While I run, show me how to love you with all my heart and to love others. Teach me to be kind and nice to everyone. Please keep me on course, I’m running for you. I’m running toward you, and I want to bring as many people along with me as I can.

For your glory, Amen.

Press On

Camp Venango for Jesus -- Devotionals 2012

Day 1 – Get in the Race

Read Philippians 3:13-14

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.  (NIV)

There’s your memory verse for camp. That’s how it reads in the NIV Bible. Eons ago God inspired the author to write it down. It was written in a totally foreign language. But in 1611 it was translated into the English language  – The King’s English, with lots of ‘thee’s and ‘thou’s and ‘thus sayeth’s. If God had given this message to someone like you, here and now, it would probably come down something like this:

Hey bros and sisters in the Lord, maybe I don’t fully get it and I don’t have a complete handle on things, but that’s because I haven’t arrived yet. I’m on my way though, and I’ve left all the bad stuff behind. What is in the past is past. I’m going forward! I’m pressing on, going for the gold.  I’m going to cross that finish line like a champ. That’s what God called me for, to run the course of my life as if there’s a prize at the end. And there is – there’s an everlasting heavenly reward in Jesus Christ.

At least that’s how I imagine it would sound today. Either way, it’s pretty clear that Paul was stoked about running the race the very best he could.

Life in Christ is like running a race. So let me ask you, are you in the race? If you’ve already asked Jesus to be part of your life, you’re in it. And on the day you got in it the angels rejoiced. They take notice every time a new runner enters the race, and they celebrate like crazy.

Have the angels thrown a party for you yet? If you’re not sure, talk to one of the CVFJ counselors about it. They will tell you some things you may already know, like: God loves you, and he wants to have a good relationship with you. You’re a sinner. Sorry to break that to you if you didn’t know, but it’s true. You’re a sinner just like the rest of us human beings. And that’s a big problem because God can’t stand sin, yet he loves you, and me. So he sent his son, Jesus, to die for our sins, to cover for us. That’s grace. Claim it. Confess your sins an ask God to forgive you. He will. The Bible says so –  

·         1^st John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

God nails that down with a bigger hammer in the next verse…If we claim we have not sinned, we make God out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

So make sure you have that sin business all taken care of… and then...you’re in the race. Now run for the prize.

GET IN IT TO WIN IT!!!

Prayer Time: Heavenly Father, thanks for inviting me to take part in the race. Thanks for forgiving my sins even before I asked. And thanks for holding out a prize. I don’t have it all together yet, but I’m not looking back. I know there’s a finish line, and I’m going for it. Help me God. I want to do you proud.

In Jesus name and for His sake, Amen