By Apostle André Pelser

Philippians 3:7-14 – But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 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.

Paul was the perfect Jew: from the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the 8th day, a leader among Pharisees, sitting at the feet of Gemalial, probably the next leader, keeping the Law (except covetousness) – and he had to learn to call all these things that were gain to him as dung in order to press on to the higher calling of the Lord. He had to deny himself to become a blessing to others.

In order to press on he had to do 3 things:

We are the circumcision who worship God in spirit and rejoice in Christ and have no confidence in the flesh. We learn to overcome all resistance in order to know Christ. We learn to suffer for righteousness’ sake, not wrong doing.

‘For whose sake I have been caused to forfeit (put down) things that were gain to me and count them all as loss. (Paul’s Jewish culture and the opportunities awaiting him as a leader of the Phari

by Apostle André Pelser

Hebrews 12:1

Introduction

Hebrews 10:36 honestly tells us we have need of patience. We were not born with patience. Babies are impatient. They cannot wait. That is why they cry! We have to learn patience.

Romans 5:3 informs us tribulation works patience and James explains that the trying of our faith works patience. Then James adds, let patience have her perfect work that you might be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:3, 4)

Paul calls God the God of patience in Romans 15:5 and prays that God makes us like-minded to also become patient like God.

Hebrews 12:1 depicts the Christian life of faith compared to an athlete in a race. We are told to run the race of faith with patience.

Guidelines to understand why patience is needed

Here are a few guidelines for practical Christian living with patience. The Christian life demands discipline and yet promises the liberty of the sons of God. It seems like a paradox at first, but it really shows perfect patience or balance. The comparison with an athlete in a race gives us certain guidelines for practical Christian living.

I Corinthians 9:24-27 give us the following directives to run the race of faith:

Challenges you may face as you run the race of faith

Prophetic insights to help us run successfully

Isaiah prophesied they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall rise up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

Jeremiah gave us a progression of races: first learn to run with the footmen, before you run with the horses! (Jeremiah 12:5)

Habakkuk was told to write the vision down that those who read it may run with it. (Habakkuk 2:2)

Galatians 2:2 as well as Philippians 2:16 warns us not to run in vain. I Peter 4:4 coaches us to avoid extremes while we are running the race of faith with patience.

Photo by Zoltan Tasi

By Apostle Aje Pelser

1. A willing hearts include the entire Congregation. Ex 35:4 – Moses spoke to the entire congregation about the Tabernacle of Meeting.

by Apostle Aje Pelser

Photo by Inactive

By Apostle André Pelser

When two blind men cried out to Jesus to have mercy on them, they teach us a few lessons in mercy.

The Jews were expecting the Messiah to come and knew He was in the lineage of David. Although the religious Pharisees and Sadducees did not accept the fact that Jesus was the promised Messiah, these two poor blind beggars did. When we acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, He becomes our Savior. We have to know who He is, before He can do anything for us.

Today is the day of salvation. If you cry out to the Lord Jesus for mercy, He will have mercy on you and change your situation. Acknowledge your need for mercy and put your confidence in Him. Tell Him you will testify about His mercy and His goodness, and He will show His mercy to you. Receive His mercy today and glorify Him.