Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Philippians 3:12-14
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Php 3:13 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, Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As we saw yesterday, Paul wanted to know the Lord in a deeper and more intimate way. That relationship was one which would help him to grow to maturity. He stated here that he had not yet reached the stage which he desired to have. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. His use of the word “perfect” does not mean a sinless state, but rather a place of maturity. He wanted to continue growing. Remember, he was probably over 60 years of age and had been in full time ministry for all of his life since the moment of his salvation on the Damascus road. His deep desire was to keep growing in the faith. But, how does that happen?
In the next verse, Paul decares that to reach his goal of maturity he had to put his failures and his successes in the past and focus on the future. If we are not careful, we can spend so much time looking backwards that we do not make progress forward. 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. The place where we can reach maturity is in the future. Yes, we may have failed in the past, but that does not stand in the way of a future success. Christ has a plan for us, and He promises us that He will be with us and never forsake us (Matthew 28:20). Since His plan for us is not completed yet, we need to continue to move forward in our pursuit of knowing Him more deeply. For that reason Paul wrote, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. That place of God’s high calling is maturity, and when we reach our final destination and stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, then we can hear Him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
Bible Reading for the Year
July 9th, Psalms 4-6; Acts 16:16-40
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She will have her first chemo treatment this Friday. Next Friday she will see her cancer doctor for the results of her bone biopsy. Please pray!!
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He will have an appointment on July 14th with his kidney doctor.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She sees her doctor at Duke on July 17th. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor concerning her treatment.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger!
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better; however, he still has a lot of pain.
Please pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She had a stroke after having an infusion port taken out. She is still in rehab.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia