Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14 This scripture is so important! God's will can be accepted and fulfilled. We must fight through the incredible discouragement that tries to numb us as we go through life and press toward the upward call. It's a fight worth fighting. There is breakthrough on the other side of the mountain, a reward at the end. You are not designed to be just in maintenance mode, but you are called to impact the world.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Heb. 12:1-3 This amazing verse tells us in no uncertain terms that God has set a race before us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus will give us the crystal clear vision to fulfill God's will. Let your hearts become filled with the Word of God. It's our job to get before the Lord and ask like Paul, "What wilt Thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6b). And keep asking. Be faithful to lay aside every encumbrance—all the ridiculous challenges and trials, the distractions and hindrances, the vision-blurring junk, the sin—that so easily entangles us.

There are people out there who need our obedience, who need our tenacity. Just as Jesus and Paul fulfilled the Father's plan, it's our turn now. God is looking for a breed of people who won't back down, to commission us as partners to carry the Gospel. God wants to use this church as a launching pad to the nations through all kinds of avenues—we are just scratching the surface now. So lay aside the restraints and press on to the upward call.

I trust You, Lord, to bring all Your plans to pass.
Pastor Jeff

I (Paul) have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
I (Jesus) glorified You on the earth, having accomplished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4

© 2008 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.