Go for the Gold and Run Your Race!

I had the privilege of listening to Brian Thompson on Sunday afternoon This gentle man is a very humble man that gets fired up for Jesus. I honestly enjoyed listening to him teach. He was real and as a minister who messes up and keeps going is a gem. Thanks Brian.
Here are a few notes that I want to share with you from this fired up follower of Jesus.
Philippians 2:12-17 (NKJ) is where Brian read from:
¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
¹⁷ Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. ¹⁸ For the same reason you also be glad and rejoice with me.

In Philippi they were serious about their belief in Christ. Not just who Christ was but what He did on the cross for us.  Working out our salvation in fear and trembling is developing a relationship with God, for it is He who works in us for Him.  When you accept Jesus for who He is and what He did for you on the cross you can't help but become serious about your faith. 
The Philippis were the same outside the church as they were on the inside. Are the Christians today the same or are we conforming to this world?  Gay marriages are on the rise, where are we, the Christians that should be standing up and saying God's word doesn't teach that?
We should be doing everything we can to work in the field for the harvest and share God's word with others.
We are to be different-people should see a difference in us as especially after we've spent time with him in His word, cultivating our salvation.
When people see you do they see you've been with Jesus? If not, what are you doing or what are you not doing?
Beloved, we are not always going to get our own way. The Lord tells us in verse 14 to do everything without complaining and arguing. Not everyone in the church is going to get their way! There will always be something happening that you will not like, the walls won't be the right paint, the carpet won't be the color you want, SO WHAT! It's not about the building but the people within the building. We are to be shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 
In the book of Acts there is a term you see that we should take more notice of "one accord." This means we, Christians, should be of one mind; not fighting and having division in the church. Bite your tongue and don't complain, murmur, or argue, only what we do for Christ will matter.
In verse 16 we are to be determined to hold firmly to God's word, but if you are not spending time with God and having that relationship with Christ, you will give into the dark days. There will be a day when we will be persecuted for our faith, will you be ready?
Christ is worth us coming out of our comfort zone. God was in the fire with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He was in Lion's den with Daniel, and in the grave with Christ Jesus. So, know that you may rejoice knowing that you have not labored in vein for God and He is with you.
Brian's challenge:
On the day God will ask "what did you do for me?" What will your answer be?
Today, be determined to live your life for Him and stand before God on your judgement day with joy.

What you do today determines your tomorrow and tomorrow may never come.
~ Marjorie