Keep on Pushing

Philippians 3:13-14 King James Version (KJV) 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I love the quote, “Success is on the same road as failure; success is just a little further down the road.”

The Apostle Paul in Philippians chapter 3, tells us to keep pressing towards the Mark for the prize, we need to be reminded of that. There was a song made popular by the Impressions in 1964, the name of the song was, “Keep on pushing”. The quote, the scripture, the words of the song speaks to people today who have been pressing and straining for success and have not made it yet.

So many Christians report that they are getting tired, discouraged or disheartened, because you have tried so hard, and they are not there yet. I have a word for anyone who feels like that, don’t give up, “keep on pushing”.

I know there are people who read these devotionals who have had a life that is filled with sunshine and ease, and they have never had to climb the rough side of the mountain, but that is not the case with everyone.

The road for some people has been filled with struggle, difficulty, failure, disappointment, pain and sorrow and stormy weather. And sometime in the midst of those circumstances the voice of despair come in and “says just give up” you are wasting your time, you will never make it. I hear people saying today,” I will never find happiness in a relationship”; “I will never experience healing in my body”.” I will never lose the weight I need to”. “I will never overcome the bad start my life has experienced”; “I will never overcome the poor decisions I have made”. “I will never get the job I am looking for, the promotions I have worked for”. “I will never fulfill the destiny and purpose God planned for my life”.

Those are lies the enemy has placed in our heads. If you are a child of God, success is part of your DNA in Christ. The scripture never talk about impossibilities with God. Luke 1:37 says “With God nothing will be impossible”. If Satan has whispered defeat in your ear, do not believe it, do not receive it, and do not accept it. Defeat is not in your DNA in Christ. Romans 8:37 says “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” In Christ, you are not a quitter, In Christ ,you do not give up, In Christ ,you do not get too tired to keep on pushing.

It is incredible when I think of our Lord Jesus, being beaten, bruised and Marred as Isaiah said, but he kept on pushing for our forgiveness. He suffered death on the cross, for our salvation but he kept on pushing. He spent three days in deaths grip, but even there Jesus kept on pushing until God raised him from the dead on the 3rd day. He did that as an example for us. Jesus wants us to keep on pushing!

Let me share a principle with that I will help us keep on pushing to victory and success in your life. Replace” I will never” and “I can’t’ with, I can and I will. The next time Satan whispers failure or defeat into your life. Tell him he is a liar, failure and defeats are not in my spiritual DNA. Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” 2 Corinthians 2:14 say’s “thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ”. Say it with me; In spite of the Circumstances I will not be defeated. In Christ, I have the victory. My spiritual DNA is that of a victor, an overwhelming conquer through Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The poet Maya Angelou said,” you may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it”.

Harriet Beecher Stowe said; “when you get into a tight place, and everything goes against you till it seems as if you couldn’t hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that’s just the place and time that the tide will turn”.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Said “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward’.

Let me encourage you with these words, from Galatians 6:9 (KJV), and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. And from Habakkuk 2:3 (NASB) “For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Keep on pushing, your victory is within your grasp, don’t give up.

Encourage someone else today by sharing this post and telling them, “Success is on the same road as failure; success is just a little further down the road.” Keep on Pushing

Link Howard III, is senior pastor, Restoration International Christian Church, Detroit Michigan www.riccministry.org