“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) Phil. 3:12-14

These were the words of an inspired writer, wont to Hebrew culture, knowledgeable as a scribe and enlighten in the Roman world. Paul, the apostle tells us that, with all his burning desire to know Christ better, he was yet to do so, neither was he sinless or perfect. The Bible denies any thought of a sinless man; it further says we’ll be disillusioned if we lay claim to sinlessness. (John 1:8)

Just after that, he says all is not lost because he presses on to lay hold of that which Christ Jesus had laid hold for him. With all our foibles, we can only but stay focused to remain Christians, the war we wage against the twist and turns of life is not ours. We must not be orphaned by the false imagery of hopelessness because when we surrendered to Christ he first had laid hold of that which he deems best for us.

Like the proverbial clay in the hands of the potter, we must allow Christ to use us as instruments of transformation in our generation like he did in the case of Brother Paul. Radiate love in its purest sense, preach peace between Christ and man and portray Christ everywhere you find yourself.

Forgetting can be quite daunting though, but we’re told to forget about our past sins, our past defeats, our past failures, our past misfortunes and mishaps since they can only serve as a good launchpad to our brighter tomorrow in Christ Jesus. In the Christian race, these things are bound to come our way; we’ll only be defeated if we fail to forget and strive towards what is ahead, which requires the conscious effort on the part of man.

In all of these, Paul concludes by telling us to press on toward the goal to win the prize, in any athletics competition the athlete keeps an eye on the prize and that propels him to press on. Our heavenly Father promises us an eternal reward, which unlike the athlete’s crown will not perish. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. (1Cor 9:24, 25) Keep on keeping on!

Fully awake and fully alive || More

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” (NIV) 1 Peter‬ ‭5:7

I watched the Kendrick brothers' movie, "War Room". While this movie has an excellent message to share about the importance of prayer, there was also a deleted scene centred on a certain character, Dr. Bunji, which I will detail for you here. In this scene, Dr. Bunji was peacefully teaching a class entitled "Fully Awake and Fully Alive". As the doctor sat comfortably teaching his unsuspecting pupils, he suddenly cut forth with a frightfully startling scream. Then sitting back with an easy smile, he asked, "Now, are you fully awake"? The surprised audience nodded hesitantly that yes, they were now fully awake. Dr. Bunji appeared to be pleased that he had achieved the desired effect and continued with his lecture. Not long after this incident, Dr. Bunji seemed to need a break, and, closing his eyes, reclined in his chair. Suddenly, and without warning to his already disconcerted audience, he again pierced the silence with a shocking scream. Then he asked, "And now, are you fully alive"?

Fully awake and fully alive-an animated countenance and a vibrant lifestyle. These are attributes, unfortunately, rare in society. Yes, there are those who would claim to be fully awake and fully alive, but theirs is a false vibrancy of life. What do I mean? Satan would have us believe that pleasing ourselves is the way to a full life. And we buy into that, don't we? But Jesus tells us that He "is the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" (John 11:25-26) Jesus enables us to be fully awake and fully alive by taking our death-causing sin.

Let me encourage you to give over to Jesus whatever is holding you back from being fully awake and fully alive, and to embrace the freedom life in Christ brings! Contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., if we can be of help to your step to salvation and spiritual growth.

  I’m pressing on || More

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (NIV) Phil. 3:12-14

These were the words of an inspired writer, wont to Hebrew culture, knowledgeable as a scribe and enlighten in the Roman world. Paul, the apostle tells us that, with all his burning desire to know Christ better, he was yet to do so, neither was he sinless or perfect. The bible denies any thought of a sinless man; it further says we’ll be disillusioned if we lay claim to sinless-ness. (John 1:8)

Just after that, he says all is not lost because he presses on to lay hold of that which Christ Jesus had laid hold for him. With all our foibles, we can only but stay focused to remain Christians, the war we wage against the twist and turns of life is not ours. We must not be orphaned by the false imagery of hopelessness because when we surrendered to Christ he first had laid hold of that which he deems best for us.

Like the proverbial clay in the hands of the potter, we must allow Christ to use us as instruments of transformation in our generation like he did in the case of brother Paul. Radiate love in its purest sense, preach peace between Christ and man and portray Christ everywhere you find yourself.

Forgetting can be quiet daunting though, but we’re told to forget about our past sins, our past defeats, our past failures, our past misfortunes and mishaps since they can only serve as a good launch pad to our brighter tomorrow in Christ Jesus. In the Christian race, these things are bound to come our way; we’ll only be defeated if we fail to forget and strive towards what is ahead, that requires the conscious effort on the part of man.

In all of these, Paul concludes by telling us to press on toward the goal to win the prize. In any athletics competition the athlete keeps an eye on the prize and that propels him to press on. Our heavenly father promises us of an eternal reward, which unlike the athlete’s crown will no perish. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:24, 25). 

Keep on keeping on!

Finding satisfaction and fulfillment in the Lord || More

" For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” (NIV) 2 Timothy 4:6-8

Finding satisfaction and fulfillment in this world is of interest to many people. Those who live happy lives are those that find happiness and meaning to life’s daily ups and downs. What may be fulfilling and satisfying to one person may just be different for the other. In all these, one common thing in finding satisfaction and fulfillment in life is satisfying and fulfilling God’s plan for you. Like the servants, their response after discharging all their duties would be “…we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’" (Luke 17:10 NIV).

Finding fulfillment and satisfaction in the Lord to a large extent therefore is knitted to fighting the good fight, finishing the race, keeping the faith. Life they say is war. Christians must seek to, despite the challenges of this world, put on the whole armour of God and fight on (Eph. 6:10-18). Each Christian is given a certain length of time and distance to cover. Each point of this race comes with its own characteristics. It involves climbing hills, descending the valleys and treading on the level paths. There are straight ways, curves, smooth paths and thorny roads. In all these, finding fulfillment involves understanding the nature of the race and striving to finish it. The competition is therefore not with other people racing but completing one’s tasks in the midst of the toils of this life.

Paul in Colossians 4:17 says “Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord."" In addition to fighting and finishing the race, the Christian is also required to keep the faith. Keeping the faith is likened to keeping the rules of the game:”Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor's crown except by competing according to the rules.” (2 Timothy 2:5 NIV). At the end of the fight and race, the crown is finally presented to those who have maintained their faith (kept the rules). Indeed there is no short cut to heaven. On that fateful day, the master will only reward those good and faithful servants (Matthew 25).

People must always remember the insatiable nature of human needs and wants. Those who seek fulfillment in riches never gets satisfied (Eccl. 5:10). Those who seek satisfaction in seeing new things never gets satisfied (Eccl. 1:8, Prov. 27:20). Our Lord and savior therefore cautions that man’s life does not consist on the things which he has (Luke 12:15). In the light of this, the apostle Paul advises that real wealth and gains is in godliness and contentment (1 Tim. 6:6).

May the Lord strengthen us to find satisfaction in Him alone. Get Inspired Daily! Stay Blessed!

The heart that lost its focus || More