“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14

The encouragement to press on implies obstacles will arise on our path.

The missionary reported that a young daughter had placed her trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. That same evening her father made her sleep outside where she would be frightened of wild animals. His thought was to “scare the Jesus belief out of her”.

A believer in Christ who lives by the Bible is much like a fish traveling upstream. We are often confronted by a flow of opposition. In heading to the cross to die for our sins, Jesus “set His face on Jerusalem”. He was determined.

His love for us and His Father compelled Him to move forward against whatever opposition might take place. Even the rejection of men, the pain of being beaten, and the suffering of the cross did not keep Him from moving forward. In the grace God gives, we have what we need to continue on.

We have a source of courage, strength and power in the love of Christ made available to us by the Holy Spirit.” The first step is to place our trust in Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.

Pastor Greg Brownell

United Brethren Church

Dayton