SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE
Philippians 3:12-14 “How to get started reading the Bible”—we’ve all googled it before. No matter how far you’ve come on your faith journey, reading the Bible can be hard! We’re right there with you. We see these Scripture meditations as a way to read Scripture in a digestible way. Let’s start together, one verse at a time!
You Don’t Have to Be Perfect
Maybe we started off the year strong, but now the halfway point is creeping up, and we’re realizing just how many Bible readings we’re behind– not to mention workouts skipped .To be honest, it’s easy to become apathetic, debating whether failed goals are worth continuing.
But, what if it doesn’t matter when you started or how consistent you’ve been, but that you tried at all? Not that you did it perfectly, but that you attempted.
In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us: we’re not going to get it right on our own anyways. No matter our qualifications or efforts, we won’t be made perfect or complete without the work of Christ.
So, while we try our best to keep goals, it won’t work out every time. What really counts is being obedient to the call God’s placed on our lives. Sometimes that means pressing on as well as we can.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Observations from the Text
- We can’t be perfect or complete on our own (v. 12)
- Christ’s death and resurrection make us perfect (v. 12)
- Our past failures shouldn’t keep us from stepping into what God has for us (v. 13)
- “The prize” is union with Jesus! (v. 14)
Prayers of Response
Jesus, I praise you for my imperfections. They show me how much my hope rests in you.
Defeater of sin and death, thank you that I don’t have to _________ on my own.
Prayer Requests
Lord over the cross, I pray that I wouldn’t be held back by the shame of _________.
Gracious Father, give me the freedom and endurance to pursue ___________ which you’ve called me into.
Prayers of Readiness
Holy One, I lay down my perfectionism and my need to ________. I take up the perfection of Christ.
God, give me endurance today as I _________. Help me remember you’re my highest prize.
This page has our stockpile of Scripture meditations that we believe help us connect with God in our everyday lives. Check it out for more relevant explorations of biblical wisdom!
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™