Reaching the Goal

"Brothers, 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

Paul is talking about arriving at a goal. The goal is to be like Jesus; to have a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ and to do the work He called him to do.

There were things in Paul's past that he is eager to forget. The past cannot be recalled, to be lived a second time - we have to move on, living in the present, and looking to the future.

We can identify with Paul – not many of us have yet arrived at the goal he mentions. The race is ongoing, and we are runners in the race – so we press on.

What is the heavenward call of God? Could it be that God is challenging us to go higher – to reach for the stars and live a life that's more like that of the perfect model, Jesus?

Success, if attained, is not a platform to stop at – it's merely a place to pause before we move on to attain the next goal. Many people have set goals, reached them and stagnated, because they never set another goal.

What goal have you set for yourself?

Jesus came to seek and to save ...

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."  John 3:17 

Most of us can recite John 3:16, which tells of God's incredible love for the people of Earth and the gift of His Son, but verse 17 offers a large measure of hope also. Jesus didn't come to this earth to condemn people – God sent His Son on a mission - to seek and save.  

What a blessing it is to know that we don't have to feel guilty when we make mistakes - Jesus is there for us! He has offered to forgive us if we confess our sins – He is eager to help us in every need. Stay in contact with him through prayer. 

May you go into this day, knowing that you have a Friend who won't abandon you, and confident of Jesus' love and care for you.

God is with you, wherever you go

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Joshua is the new leader. Moses has died, and he and the people with him have finally reached the Promised Land after a forty-year journey from Egyptian bondage.

God speaks directly (audibly) to Joshua. He asks him, "Have I not been your Commander?" Then God tells him, as the leader, to be strong and courageous. It is interesting to note that, in chapter one of Joshua, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous four times! Maybe Joshua doubted his leadership ability. Maybe he was afraid of what lay ahead.

As Joshua thinks about this question, and God's instruction, he realizes that he and the thousands with him have been led by the hand of God in the past, and they can now confidently walk the road ahead.

Today's verse is helpful to you, as you think about the past, live in the present and look to the future. You might be facing health challenges, financial problems, work-related issues, family difficulties, friendship concerns – or any other villain that attacks your mind.

Don't be afraid of the issues you face, nor of the unknown - and don't be discouraged, because God is on your side to help you – wherever you go!

At evening it will be light

"But at evening time it shall happen that it will be light." Zechariah 14:7

If we read the verse in its context, we discover that the prophet is speaking about the day of the LORD – when Jesus returns at His Second Coming. He says that on that day there will be no light – the lights grow dim and there will be darkness, "but at evening time it shall happen that it will be light." Christ appears and His brilliance illuminates the darkness. This is how it was at His first coming – the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds, and at the start of Christ's ministry, Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled, "the people who sat in darkness saw a great light." (Matthew 4:16)

When we were small, some of us were afraid of the dark. Some grownups are still afraid of the dark. But when there's a light, how different the night looks! The light swallows up any fear people may have, and they have courage.

There's a deeper meaning to our verse: When the light of day fades into evening - when the confidence you had in times of prosperity turns to fear, and even terror in the time of adversity, remember, God is still there – He has promised, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

Do you find yourself in some kind of darkness? Whatever form that darkness may take, God promises that the dark of night will be illuminated by His presence.

More abundant life

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10

In today's text we see the contrast between the thief and the Lifegiver.

Jesus talks about the thief – Satan – whose purpose is to steal peace and happiness from the people of earth, to spread death across the planet and to leave destruction in his wake. Jesus calls him a "murderer from the beginning" and "the father of lies". See John 8:44

Today's verse tells us about a battle going on. It's a war being fought between the forces of darkness and the forces of light. This war started in heaven (see Revelation 12:7-9) and the battle continues. It's the battle for our minds. It's the same battle that Jesus fought in the wilderness, when Satan came to tempt Him. He overcame the tempter by quoting from the Word of God, because He knew the scriptures and put his trust in His heavenly Father.

Jesus tells us the purpose of His mission to Earth: to bring life – He is the Lifegiver. In contrast to the thief who takes away, Jesus gives. In contrast to the killer, Jesus brings life. In contrast to the destroyer, Jesus builds up, He re-builds the broken.

The life Jesus brings is a quality of life – He calls this "abundant life" - life for all; not merely to exist, but to experience real living - new life in Christ!

How do I get this life? It's a gift. Jesus offers it to us - "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

"And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." (Revelation 22:17)

May you be strengthened this day in your resolve to possess the abundant life Jesus gives.

What will you do with Jesus?

Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Matthew 27:22

 

It was early on Friday morning, and Jesus stood before the judgment seat of Pilate, the Roman Governor. Pilate asked Him several questions, but Jesus remained silent.

Pilate had the opportunity to release Jesus then and there. He had even, that morning, received a message from his wife saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man.” She had dreamed, and in her dream been shown that Jesus was innocent.

Pilate was a fickle ruler – he was swayed by the people, and eventually he gave in to the mob and sent Jesus to His death.

We have just come through the Easter weekend. In my mind I contemplate that Friday morning long ago, when the Creator of the universe stood on trial before an earthly monarch.

The question comes to you and to me: “What then shall I do with Jesus?” Will we turn Him away? Or will we gladly invite Him into our lives each new day? – to lead and guide us on the journey.

 

“Once to every man and nation

Comes the moment to decide

In the strife of truth with falsehood

For the good or evil side.” (Anonymous)

Give thanks to God

"Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

It is a good thing for us to stop a while and count our blessings. When we do so, we notice how blessed we are, and this generates a natural response of thankfulness.

But we are not only thankful for material blessings – we are also thankful for God's saving grace, without which, we would be nothing.

Paul tells us, in verses 10 & 11 of today's chapter: "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God."

May you go forth into this day, thinking about today's verse, and with praise and thankfulness on your lips.