Bible League: Living His Word 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. — Philippians 3:13-14 NIV The Easter season reminded me about all our Savior Jesus Christ had to endure for our sake. It wasn't easy then, but in the end, it brought God the glory and saved us from eternal damnation. It reminds me of lyrics from one of CeCe Winans' songs: "It wasn't easy, but it was worth it." This message speaks to life's unpredictable outcomes. Sometimes, we must go through challenging seasons to get to the other side. During a trial, it can seem like an eternity. The pain, anguish, unrest, and waiting seem endless. But when the season is over, we're ushered to a new one. If we focus on the discomfort, we may lose the fight, but if we focus on the end, we're likely to hang on. Before Jesus reached the cross, He had to go through Gethsemane (oil press). There, He wrestled with Himself, with God, and His mission. Ultimately, He chose to endure the cross; He sacrificed His life for humanity. He suffered (was beaten, humiliated, mocked), died, and was buried. But on the third day, He rose again and declared it was fulfilled. We, too, must endure the challenges of this life; it might be the loss of a loved one, the end of a dream, broken hopes, or unrealized goals. It may seem like the end of life, the pain too much to bear and hopes too far in the distance to grasp. We may find it hard to cope, not wanting to wake up to another day of the harsh realities. But it's during those moments that we must make a choice -- whether to soldier on or turn back and quit. As Paul reminds us in scripture, we should lay aside everything that hinders us and press on toward the goal. We must resolve to move on; the good news is that we don't have to do it alone. Jesus is now our mediator to God, and we can call on Him in times of distress. He knows and understands what it is like to be under pressure. He knows what it's like to feel alone, abandoned, and in agony. Setting aside our fears, self-preservation, and comfort allows Him to lift us to a place of deep faith. We move from walking under defeat and tap into His resurrection power. We begin to walk under His divine power, and at that point, we align with His divine nature. It's encouraging to know that we're never alone when we go through trials. Jesus, our Savior, is there to hold our hand and to walk with us. He's there to reassure us that His presence is always there to guide us. Jesus urges us in Matthew 11:30 to take His yoke and burden, for His burden is light and easy. Things can be daunting on our own, but with the Lord on our side, everything is bearable. We are blessed to have a Savior acquainted with our weaknesses, yet through Him, we are made strong. As we celebrate His death and resurrection, let us rest in His power and trust His sacrificial love. By Jennifer Macharia, Bible League International staff, Nairobi-Kenya Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Chronicles 11, 12, 13 1 Chronicles 11 -- David Reigns over All Israel; Conquers Jerusalem with His Mighty Men NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 12 -- David's Supporters at Ziklag and Hebron NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Chronicles 13 -- Bringing Back the Ark NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 9:1-23 John 9 -- Jesus Heals a Blind Man; Pharisees Question His Authority; Jesus Affirms He Is the Son of God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion That is why the LORD says,“Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. Insight God told the people to turn to him while there was still time. Destruction would soon be upon them. Challenge Time is also running out for us. Because we don't know when our lives will end, we should trust and obey God now, while we can. Don't let anything hold you back from turning to him. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.The word "conversation" does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behaviour in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenship: and thus we are commanded to let our actions, as citizens of the New Jerusalem, be such as becometh the gospel of Christ. What sort of conversation is this? In the first place, the gospel is very simple. So Christians should be simple and plain in their habits. There should be about our manner, our speech, our dress, our whole behaviour, that simplicity which is the very soul of beauty. The gospel is pre-eminently true, it is gold without dross; and the Christian's life will be lustreless and valueless without the jewel of truth. The gospel is a very fearless gospel, it boldly proclaims the truth, whether men like it or not: we must be equally faithful and unflinching. But the gospel is also very gentle. Mark this spirit in its Founder: "a bruised reed he will not break." Some professors are sharper than a thorn-hedge; such men are not like Jesus. Let us seek to win others by the gentleness of our words and acts. The gospel is very loving. It is the message of the God of love to a lost and fallen race. Christ's last command to his disciples was, "Love one another." O for more real, hearty union and love to all the saints; for more tender compassion towards the souls of the worst and vilest of men! We must not forget that the gospel of Christ is holy. It never excuses sin: it pardons it, but only through an atonement. If our life is to resemble the gospel, we must shun, not merely the grosser vices, but everything that would hinder our perfect conformity to Christ. For his sake, for our own sakes, and for the sakes of others, we must strive day by day to let our conversation be more in accordance with his gospel. Daily Light on the Daily Path Hosea 5:15 I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. Isaiah 57:17,18 "Because of the iniquity of his unjust gain I was angry and struck him; I hid My face and was angry, And he went on turning away, in the way of his heart. • "I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and to his mourners, Jeremiah 2:17 "Have you not done this to yourself By your forsaking the LORD your God When He led you in the way? Luke 15:20 "So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Hosea 14:4 I will heal their apostasy, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from them. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. 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