The Ultimate Prize

 Here is this week's Bible Verse.

VERSE:             Philippians 3:14

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

REFLECTION:

What prize are you pressing toward? There are so many things in this world that grabs our attention and so many prizes we can run toward. Ultimately we have to decide which one is the most important to be pressing toward.

In baseball teams play 162 games to see if they are good enough to play for the ultimate prize of the World Series. In football teams play 17+ games to hopefully play for the Super Bowl. In hockey teams play to hopefully get their name on Lord Stanley's cup. We just witnessed Spain win the World Cup in futbol. On an individual basis every four years countries come together and showcase their talents for a chance at gold in the Olympics.

All of  these and more are mere human created endeavors to help us feel good about what we do and who we are but the true and ultimate prize is making sure your name is written in the Lamb's book of life. God created each one of us and put us here not to win gold or get our name on Lord Stanley's Cup instead we are to press in and toward all things God by accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior. Then seek God's will for your life because each of us have a purpose to spread the gospel and to glorify God. That may mean giving Him praise when you win that medal because he gave you that talent and ability. Otherwise those are just distractions to keep us from the ultimate prize of heaven.

So press on to the ultimate prize of heaven by accepting Jesus and living for God.

PRAYER:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for giving me the talent and gifts you having given me. Guide me in a way that I can use them to glorify and honor your name. Thank you for the free gift of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name Amen.

Hope you enjoyed today's verse. 

Selling Souls

VERSE:                               Mark 8:36‑37

    For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

REFLECTION:

    You hear many people joke about selling their soul to the devil for something?  But this verse tells us that it will profit us nothing to sell our soul for the things of this world.  What do you value as important?  Are your sights set on the things of this world or the heavenly things above?  Many of us can get caught up in the worldly things, cars, money or success.  All of these items are merely fleeting, gone when we pass away.  Our soul however remains eternally with us.  Where would you want your soul spending eternity?  Under the bondage of sin and the vast chasm of torment and darkness known as hell.  Or the freedom of song and music with the bright shining light of Jesus set before us on the golden streets of heaven.

    Jesus was tempted by satan and asked to sell His soul to satan and in return satan would give Him the world.  How stupid is satan to believe that the Son of God, who already has the world as well as the whole universe would give it all up for nothing.  Satan has nothing to offer.  This world has nothing to offer.  It doesn't matter how much money you have or how many cars you own, when you die you can't take it with you.  But your soul will always be with you, so if you do not give your soul to God you will lose it to satan.  Next time you think of the covetous of the world and the lies of satan remember that there is no profit in the world but many treasures in heaven.

PRAYER:

    Pray for discernment when tempted by the things of this world.  Pray that God will lead you away from temptation and the evil one.