“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
A new year has begun. Time to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Goal-setting is vital in the Christian life. Without goals, our life will be aimless and pointless, with infinite possibilities blown by the wind by default. Without goals, it will be awfully hard to determine if we are on the right track, according to God’s will.
In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul advocates Christians to be single-minded in fulfilling a God-given 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.“
Paul was determined to finish the race the Lord had set for him. And he did. He wrote in Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.“
Ask yourself this question: are you farther along the course today than last year or last month? Are you running the race with zeal and joy? Or are you just coasting along, unmindful of the calling God has for you?
Perhaps you have slipped back and lost ground. Maybe you are now discouraged and demotivated. But take heart: God is a god of second, and even multiple, chances. You can still join the race and win the prize. Just yield your life to Jesus, and resume running the course assigned to you.
As Christian athletes, we are not competing with others. However, we are in competition with ourselves. Everybody can be a runner and a winner in this divine race. And as we aim to be a better person today than we were yesterday, God’s grace will see us through. He will equip us with the will and energy to fulfill our goals.
Today, set down specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound goals for the key areas in your life (e.g. devotional life, ministry, family, work/studies, finances, health, etc.). Commit these goals to the Lord and allow Him to work in you and through you. You will not be sorry if you do. (Photo courtesy of Climate Patrol)
Posted by scanns on January 17, 2006 at 12:56 pm
Jayred, your entry is so inspiring & practical! Thanks! May God continue to inspire you, and may you continue to glorify Him! God bless!
Posted by Jayred on January 21, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Thanks, Scanns. Your words are an encouragement! Truly, God is our one and only source of divine inspiration. Take care and God bless.
Posted by bing on January 28, 2006 at 6:40 am
one thing i learned from last year is to LIVE SIMPLY. i made it my goal and surrendered it to the Lord. i cannot make it alone.
Posted by Jayred on February 14, 2006 at 7:07 pm
To live a simple life is a wise choice. I’m sure the Lord will honor your goal and bless your heart.
Posted by Arthur on February 17, 2006 at 7:32 am
Thank God for people like you! Your words are so inspiring. God bless! P.S. Thanks for the visit.
Posted by Itong on April 13, 2006 at 9:04 am
Once we are entered by God, we are never disqualified in the RACE. The Holy Spirit is given to all believers as a seal and a deposit guaranteeing that those who are called, He foreknew, He predestined and He glorified (Ephesians 1:3-23)
Our race is never meant to be easy, it is not a sprint but an endurance. It is for this reason that we need to beat our body to make it obedient to Christ. This is why we must always workout our salvation with fear and trembling, not because we are not saved but mainly because we are! Out trials have a special purpose of deepening our faith, this is why James said “to consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kind.” It is not “if” but “when.” But I praise My LORD that He will see me through the race; His joy and peace will continue to guard my heart (it does not negate hardships and sorrows) but He will be there. Romans 8:28 “All things that happens in my life will work together for good (according to God’s will and plan) because I am His child. There is great hope in God! Continue to run your race, removing any hindrances (sins) and fixing your eyes upon Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith!
Posted by Jayred on April 16, 2006 at 6:25 am
Arthur: Thanks for the visit and encouraging words!
Itong: Thanks for your input. Truly, Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith!
Posted by Itong on April 17, 2006 at 11:33 pm
you have a noble ministry and I praise God how He has grown you in faith. Hardship is one of the best teacher, it draws us closer to God; making us strong in times of weakness. You came a long way from Sucat Faith Fellowship, I am so happy for you.
Posted by Jayred on April 22, 2006 at 7:47 am
Itong: Thanks. Do I know you personally?
Posted by Itong on April 26, 2006 at 7:38 am
Of course you know me and my family very well. Sino pa ba ang may pangalang Itong na kilala mo iisa lang ‘yon. Surprise! We miss you, we hope someday we can fellowship. The kids are all grown 8 and 12 respectively.
I hope you have enough information to guess who I am. God bless.
Posted by lightman on June 8, 2006 at 3:22 pm
saw your site in my friend’s blog (shadowthatslithers.blogdrive.com) and was intrigued by the faith that you have.
i used to have that kind of faith, but i gues it has withered away.
was it a choice for me? i dunno. maybe. maybe not. maybe its a peoduct of circumstances that happened in my life.
right now, i am happy to have read your blog. but it doesn;t mean i was inspired. i was just… happy.
i’m happy to see a lot of people really taking their christian lives seriously.
as for me and my so-called christian life… i think its already a goner.
have i lost the faith? i really duno.
one last request… pray for me, even if you don’t know me.
and i agree with what the things that you have written. thank you for making me happy, even if i am not happy for my own self.
Posted by Jayred on June 14, 2006 at 10:23 am
ITONG: Hello from Switzerland! I think I know you na…Will e-mail you soon.
LIGHTMAN: Thanks for the blog visit. Glad to know the entries here in my devotional blog have made you happy somehow.
I think I understand what you mean. I hope and pray that all will be well with you in due time. I think Christians undergo that Elijah-in-the-cave experience every now and then. I did. But the good news is, the Lord will always put us back on the right track in His time if and when we stray away from His perfect will.
God bless your heart, Lightman.
12:20 PM
Posted by Jayred on June 14, 2006 at 10:24 am
I really, really need to update Fish & Loaves soon.
Please bear with me. Thanks and God bless!
Posted by Charles Cameron on November 21, 2006 at 11:40 pm
I wonder if you might be interested in my Bible Reading Notes, covering the whole of Scripture
http://www.christinallthescriptures.blogspot.com
http://www.theologyofgcberkouwer.blogspot.com
http://chascameron.spaces.live.com
Posted by Roberrific on August 1, 2007 at 3:18 am
Did I see you on http://wondercafe.ca?