“Press On”
August 2025
Philippians 3:10-12
10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:10-12 NRSV
Perseverance is a never ending challenge. The calendar keeps moving, life keeps happening, and in August the heat keeps turning up! In the midst of the grind of daily life it can be easy to lose sight of our goal and get consumed in the most immediate problem that we’re facing.
I’m grateful that the Bible speaks into every aspect of our lives, including the need to “Press On” when things get tough. In fact, Paul addresses his desire to persevere in the passage above.
By the time he wrote this letter, Paul had gone on multiple missionary journeys and started numerous churches. God had used him to impact countless people and spread the Good News of Jesus to the world. But rather than stopping to admire all that had been accomplished, Paul tells the Philippians that there was more work to do.
He starts by restating his goal in verse 10. Paul wants to know Christ and the power of resurrection. A very noble goal.
And then in verse 12 Paul presses further. Paul recognizes that he’s not finished. He explains that he is still a work in progress, pressing on to make Jesus his goal every single day. This refocus is fueled by the realization of what Jesus has done for him, “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
The same statement is true for each one of us. Out of his abundant love, Jesus made us his own. Stop for a moment and reflect on that truth.
You belong to Jesus. And that’s the most encouraging reality to help us “Press On.” We don’t press on alone because we have a God that knows us, cares for us, and has promised to never leave us.
As long as we have breath we haven’t reached the goal, so let’s “Press On” together with Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Thomas
10 “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, 11 if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
Philippians 3:10-12 NRSV
Perseverance is a never ending challenge. The calendar keeps moving, life keeps happening, and in August the heat keeps turning up! In the midst of the grind of daily life it can be easy to lose sight of our goal and get consumed in the most immediate problem that we’re facing.
I’m grateful that the Bible speaks into every aspect of our lives, including the need to “Press On” when things get tough. In fact, Paul addresses his desire to persevere in the passage above.
By the time he wrote this letter, Paul had gone on multiple missionary journeys and started numerous churches. God had used him to impact countless people and spread the Good News of Jesus to the world. But rather than stopping to admire all that had been accomplished, Paul tells the Philippians that there was more work to do.
He starts by restating his goal in verse 10. Paul wants to know Christ and the power of resurrection. A very noble goal.
And then in verse 12 Paul presses further. Paul recognizes that he’s not finished. He explains that he is still a work in progress, pressing on to make Jesus his goal every single day. This refocus is fueled by the realization of what Jesus has done for him, “because Christ Jesus has made me his own.”
The same statement is true for each one of us. Out of his abundant love, Jesus made us his own. Stop for a moment and reflect on that truth.
You belong to Jesus. And that’s the most encouraging reality to help us “Press On.” We don’t press on alone because we have a God that knows us, cares for us, and has promised to never leave us.
As long as we have breath we haven’t reached the goal, so let’s “Press On” together with Jesus.
In Christ,
Pastor Thomas
