September 2002

Greetings,

Do you ache?

I am not talking about the aches and pains attributed to aging or arthritis.

Do you ache for Christian maturity? “ACHE” is an excellent acronym to remember if you desire maturity in your Christian faith and walk.

“A” - Attitude - What is your attitude? “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ.” Philippians 2:5 Christ’s attitude was one of humility and obedience.

“C” - Concentration - What do you spend most of your time concentrating about? “I do not consider myself yet to have hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13, 14
Paul instructs us to press on to have a single minded focus - eternal life.”

“H” - Hope “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8
If your hope is based on anything other than Jesus Christ, then that hope is in vain.

“E” - Effort “Continue to work out your salvation…God works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Philippians 2:13,14

I would hope that your heart aches for maturity. I would hope that your heart aches to be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ.

Understand the aches of life with the ACHE of Jesus Christ.

(ACHE - Acronym is taken from Sport Spectrum July/Aug. Power Up devotional)

Prayerfully yours in Christ,