I Press On Toward the Goal

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:15 

Even as the Olympic athletes are pressing on toward the prize of gold, silver and bronze medals,

So God calls us to press on toward heaven.

Our prize is living forever with Him in heaven.

And our goal is to follow the Lord Jesus,

Becoming more like Him each day.

Growing in the love of Jesus Christ.

I Press On

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 3:14 

Paul reminded the Philippians that he was pressing on toward the goal God had called him toward.

God calls each of us to His goal.

And Oswald Chambers reminded me today that God wants us to grow closer to Him through the process.

Not to receive any benefit except to grow holy.

Not even to accomplish the end goal.

Rather, to do God's will throughout the journey.

God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

And He will accomplish His purpose.

Whether He accomplishes it through us, He leaves to us to decide.

I Press On

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

I press on toward the goal that God has set before me.

To win the prize for which God has called me.

God has called me heavenward in Jesus.

Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.

Creator of heaven and earth.

I Press On

Brothers and sisters, 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 3:13-14

God has called me to glorify Him.

I am not there yet, but I strain toward His goal for me.

Then I take a few steps back.

I mess up.

Even so, I press on toward the goal.

After all, God has called me heavenward.

And He has sent His Son Jesus to take my hand and lead me there.

Today I pray for those who are struggling with cancer and other illnesses.

Lord, please wrap your loving arms around them and give them your deep peace. Amen.

Jesus Took Hold of Me

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. — Philippians 3:12

Christ Jesus took hold of me and turned me around to start heading in the right direction.

I have in no way arrived at my goal yet.

But I press on.

I take hold of that for which Jesus took hold of me.

I am grateful that He holds me.

And that He gave His life for me.

 

Encouraged in Heart

My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. — Colossians 2:2-23

La Jolla Shores

Paul is writing to the people in Colossae, to encourage them.

We often need to be encouraged, too.

God wants us to be united in love.

He wants us to have the full riches of complete understanding.

But I don't always understand.

The more I read His Word, the more I begin to understand.

Each time I read it, He opens my mind and heart to something new.

Scripture is living and active.

When I remember to pray before I read, He speaks to me through the words on the page.

In Christ is hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

How cool.

The Goal Is Love

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5

God tells us that love comes from a pure heart,

A good conscience,

And a sincere faith.

At times it's hard to show love to others.

Especially when they are unkind or unloving.

But God's love is not conditional.

He does not ask us to wait until people are considerate of us.

He commands us to love them first, just as He loved us.

We love, because He first loved us.