DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT - MONDAY: Three Principles For A Victorious Life In Christ

Victories that are easy are cheap. Those only are worth having which come as the result of hard fighting.
-- Henry Ward Beecher
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Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. -- Phil 3:12 (NIV)

Three Principles For A Victorious Life In Christ

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up, it knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you'd better be running.

Friends, if we are not seeking the Lord, the Devil is seeking us. In the Christian life, its not enough simply to wake up, we are called to run, to become more like Christ, to press ahead in victory.

Paul possessed the unusual ability to soar into spiritual heights one minute and then descend immediately into the valley of the intensely practical. He had made his point concerning the necessity of a personal experience with Jesus Christ as a pre-requisite to obtaining a right-standing with God.

The relationship Paul had with Christ, a relationship that came through his obedience to Him, and assured his forgiveness. His daily fellowship with the Lord gave him the choice, strength and power for living each day victoriously.

Paul immediately assured his friends at Philippi that he knew that he had not yet completely arrived concerning Christian growth, but he also assured them, that he was motivated each day to reach the goal Christ had for him… Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me . -- Phil 3:12

The Lord had a great purpose in mind for Paul and he was now seeking to reach God's great goal for his life.

Conquer we shall, but, we must first contend! It's not the fight that crowns us, but the end. -- Robert Herrick

The Lord has a great purpose in mind for all of us, and this involves several principles that we will peruse this week.

Loving Father, I desire to be a victorious follower of Christ, help me through the power of the Holy Spirit, to take the principles contained in your word and make them applicable to my life in Christ, that I may fulfil the purpose you have for my life. I ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, my Lord and Saviour. Amen.