12 GLAD TIDINGS JUNE 2025 LIVING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE We live in a natural world. Everything within it is natural. Therefore, it takes no effort, nor does it �require any demand on us to live our lives according to what is natural. However, when it comes to living the Christian life, everything requires us learning how to step out of the natural into the Spirit. We must reach out beyond what comes naturally and embrace this other realm by pressing our way into it. By deciding to press, we can expect to experience greater freedom in apprehending the promises of God. “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:14 Imagine being in a boat drifting down a river. There is very little effort in making strides because the current of the river is carrying you downstream. But the moment you decide to change course and go upstream, suddenly, you feel the challenge to row your oars against the current. This is very much how it is when it comes to the things of God. If all we do is coast our way through life, we will find ourselves naturally pulled in the direction of the current of this world. If that is not the direction God wants us to take, and we learn that His plan for our lives is to go against the current, then we must be prepared to make the effort to press our way into it. This is something we must take note of. Everything that brings us into the blessings of heaven comes by learning to press against the natural tendencies of the flesh. It takes effort to pray, to read the Word, to set ourselves apart from the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, which Jesus taught are what choke the Word and lead to unfruitful living. Paul understood that pressing meant going against the grain, or the ways of the world. That begins by making the things of God important enough that you will not lie back and let nature decide things for you. The Bible says, “We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). In other words, we have a different course in how we live our lives. We do not take our lead from what others do. We look to the scriptures and follow God's ways. Proverbs says, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death “(Pro. 14:12). That should tell us how subtle the ways of man are at leading us down the wrong path. We must be alert to the subtleties of the flesh. I appreciate the words our friends brought this weekend to our annual conference. Ms. Carolyn Farias shared how Moses pitched his tent outside the camp where he sought the Lord. She highlighted how this meant leaving the comforts of being in the camp, with all the necessary conveniences of life, and setting himself apart from it. The scriptures say that he set up his tent “far off from the camp” (Exo. 33:7). There are times when we must decide what matters most. Life has a way of keeping us occupied with the trivialities of everyday things, to the point where we become easily distracted from staying focused on what God wants us to experience. Pressing involves seeking what you want most earnestly, with a strong desire to acquire it. It is learning how to deal with resistance and opposition that try to keep you from reaching what it is you want. It also involves putting a demand on yourself to prioritize what you value the most. Paul wrote, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Cor. 4:18). What holds our interest is what we tend to give our attention to. This is why we must be careful not to let the world shape our interests. If we do not learn how to press for the things we want, we may easily slip away from what matters most. If there are areas in your life where you are no longer living in the press, get back in it. Do not let the ease of drifting cause you to lose your pursuit in obtaining the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. There is nothing in this world that is worth the risk of missing the mark. Jesus said, “There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my sake, and the gospel’s. But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands with persecution, and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:29, 30). This has nothing to do with the total abandonment of family or natural possessions. However, it does imply the need to prioritize what holds your first and highest interest. The things of God cannot be second to anything. They must be first. That is why we have this great passage in Matthew six where Jesus told us to “take no thought for our lives” (Matt. 6:25-34). Instead, he says, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Why would He promise to give us all we need if He wanted us to abandon everything we possess? We are not necessarily told to let go of everything or walk away from family, friends, or possessions, but to ensure that the kingdom is always our highest priority. To come to this decision means you will have to press your way against the forces of this world and all the things that try to draw you downstream. Be very careful what you allow. Be watchful and alert, “For your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). John put it this way: “Look to yourselves, that we lost not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward” (2 John . DEFINING MOMENTS… It is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Following this great promise comes the exhortation of the Lord: “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning” (Luke 12:35). It is our responsibility not to let the natural things around us rob us of our passion and interest to keep the fire in our hearts burning. We owe it to ourselves to maintain the press regardless of what it demands. Obtaining the kingdom is far more important than letting the trivialities of life hold us back. CONFESSION I will keep pressing even when I feel the restraint of my flesh trying to pull me off course. I am determined to run my race, always keeping my eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. PRAYER Father, I know that it can be demanding to go against the current of this world and all its challenges to stay focused up against what is so contrary to your will. Still, I desire to press harder each day to ensure I am growing and developing into all that you have for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. u Permission Granted PASTORS DAVID & BETTY DUNNING FAITH HARVEST CHURCH 221 Executive Drive, Unit 6 Savannah GA 31406 PASTORS DAVID & BETTY DUNNING make y o u grow if you will respond to it positively. It is for correction and for reproof. It will make you stronger. Peter recognized that fact. The Greek word for doubt in this verse is distazo. It means to stand in two ways. It implies an uncertainty as to which way to take. This refers to a believer whose faith is small. Peter decided at one moment he would take one way and walk on the water toward Jesus. The next moment he was a little uncertain as to which way to take. He looked around and heard the wind instead of Jesus. He found himself divided between two ways. How often do we find ourselves divided between two ways, not knowing which way to take? Jesus did not look at the people in the boat and say, “Oh thou of little faith, why did you doubt?” Their position was clear. They were scared. They were not using their faith. He did not have to ask them. Their minds were already made up. They decided to stay in the boat. But, you have to at least give Peter credit for getting out of the boat. Peter stepped out of the boat on the water. Jesus was some distance away. Peter started walking on the water. How far did he get before he looked around and began to sink? I don’t know exactly. He must have been too far from the boat for the disciples to be of any help. He also was too far away from Jesus to reach out and grab hold of Him. When Peter missed it and began to sink, he cried for help and Jesus came to him walking on the water. The waves were still splashing high. The wind was still blowing. The boat must have been some distance away with the wind blowing the way it was. But, Peter walked on the water a second time when he and Jesus walked on the water back to the boat. The Bible says, “And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.” The next time you jump out beyond your faith, and miss it, realize and admit you missed it. Don’t think you must stay under condemnation for six months before you can take another step of faith. Admit you have missed it. Learn from the mistake. Ask God to forgive you. Then get up and walk back to the boat on the very same thing that was giving you trouble. That is precisely what Peter did. u WALKING ON WATER - Con’t
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