iTrain30

Reading for Day 6
September 6

Phil. 3:12-21
Psalm 6:1-10
Prov. 1:29-33

When I was in Bible College, I would see some of my hero Pastors and assume that they had made it. They had it all together, the struggles were passed. Like a 5 Star General reaches this highest rank they had made it to spiritual maturity and would be able to coast on into eternity. One of my greatest disappointments is that life never gets us to a place where all is well and we are perfect. I find Philippians 3:12-21 to be one of the most encouraging passages in scripture. First because Paul is so real. He admits that he, the great Apostle, had not reached perfection. Secondly, his struggles, failures and disappointments do not send him into a tailspin of discouragement or depression. Thirdly, he remains hopeful and forwardly focused. He kept his focus straight ahead. He would stay in the struggle and held on to hope. God was still working, the plan was still ongoing. He would lean into the struggle "press hard" with confidence knowing that God was helping him. God had a plan and it would be worked out in his life. Lastly, he stays future focused. Unlike those who were earthly minded he lived as a citizen of heaven. He looked forward to the future transformations that Jesus Christ would accomplish. Paul was a real person and a great man of faith. Nothing kept him down.

A positive attitude that flows from these scriptural truths is very powerful. I need to be more like that. So where I see sin and failure in myself, I will confess my sin and keep pressing forward toward the plan of God in my life. If I keep moving forward I cannot be defeated. What a great truth to meditate on today.

Reading for Day 7
September 7

Phil. 4:1-9
Psalm 7:1-17
Prov. 2:1-5

FRIEND DAY IS TOMORROW. I am so encouraged by the buzz that I am hearing. People have invited friends and there is a sense of great expectation that I have not seen before. We need to make our final phone calls and visits. Please set aside a moment and pray for our service tomorrow. If you can, sit with your spouse, kids or a friend and ask God to bless our service tomorrow. The Gospel will go out in several ways. The cardboard testimony parade is very powerful. Aaron Cavin has been doing a great job this week. He will present the gospel in his message. We are moving in obedience to be witnesses and surely God is pleased with High Street.