PODCAST
Onward And Upward!
June 19th, 2013
Philippians 3:12—4:1
Young Pony Express riders endured fierce blizzards, blazing heat, flash floods, and unimaginable dangers to ensure that the mail would go through. To conserve weight, horses often traveled without shoes, and riders were required to weigh less than 125 pounds.* However scant were their supplies each rider carried a Bible and took an oath of devotion, agreeing to abstain from profanity, drunkenness, and gambling. They promised to be honest and to faithfully fulfill their duties, “by the help of God.”**
In Philippians 3, Paul narrows his focus to fulfill his oath and devotion to the Lord. With tears he bears the burden, crying out to God for the needs of others. His zeal seems to propel him into martyrdom. In our rationalization we put him in a category of saints and shy from his expectations, even though we share his prized goal.
Express riders faced extreme hardships. God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus, our joy and crown!
* Steve Greenwood, http:/blog,wellsfargo.com/guided by history/pony_express_ride, 10/11/10 (accessed 6/19/12).
** Paul Lee Tan, www.TanBible.com, referenced “Our Daily Bread” (accessed 6/19/12).
Author: Cheryl Roland
June 19th, 2013 at 9:41 am
“. . . each rider carried a Bible and took an oath of devotion, agreeing to abstain from profanity, drunkenness, and gambling. They promised to be honest and to faithfully fulfill their duties, “by the help of God.”
Listening to the Holy Spirit can be a lot like riding a horse. If you fall off, you just get back on.
There are a few of us riding white horses screaming out truth and justice with the fruits of the Spirit; however, most of us are riding black horses crying I dare you to balance the scales (because they are of the world following the wrong spirit). Furthermore, far too many of us are riding pale horses dying from spiritual starvation.
Finally, some us are young in the Spirit riding red horses covered by the blood of that large double-edge sword that’s dividing soul & spirit.