From David Ramsey

The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 1:20-26:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but is is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.”

Paul had reached this point where he was ready to die so that he could go on to be with Christ, but there was one thing that was holding him back. That one thing was not to build a bigger tent, or win another championship, or take another vacation. The only thing holding him back was advancing the gospel that by “being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow.” I don't think that I can personally say the same of myself that Paul is saying of himself, but I am getting there.

“I do not claim to have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. I do not consider myself yet to have taken 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 3:12-14)

Paul was at this point where he'd just as willingly die and be with Christ as stay on Earth and even then stay only for the sake of spreading the gospel. He gives us hints as to how he got to that point. Speaking of those who oppose Christ he says, “Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Philippians 3:19-20)

I don't know how eager you are for Jesus to return. I don't know how truly eager I am, but to become more eager Paul suggests we take our minds off earthly things, but rather, “whatever it true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

C.S. Lewis said, "If you read history, you will find that the Christians who did the most for present world were just those who thought most of the next."

If you want to get excited about your faith, about heaven, and about Christ's return spend time thinking about eternity.

I have enjoyed a wonderful summer with some of the best kids. You have really blessed me a lot these past two months and I will miss each of you, but I look forward to the day I get to see you again, if not in this life than in the next.
“I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3)

God bless,
David Ramsey