Journal for May 18th…The Goal

5:37 AM

Philippians 3

Lord, it's clear from Your Word that You are "goal-oriented". Creation starts out with You having a plan and a design for the world. You spoke and it came into being. Your goal was accomplished. Jesus made it clear why He came to earth: "to seek and save the lost" and "to give My life as a ransom". He was clearly goal-oriented and He got it done.

Paul was the same way v10. He said that his goal was to know Christ and the power His resurrection… "to know Christ" in a personal, experiential, intimate way. It was what drove Him each day. We can have mini-goals, like eating right, looking good, feeling better, and making it through another week. But there ought to be a goal that drives our tastes, preferences, and personal desires; that determines what we study, where we work, and how we treat other people. A goal like knowing Christ.

Lord, You've had a hold of me since I was very young v12; my goal is to get a hold of You because You have taken hold of me. You reached down from eternity to this fallen world and got a hold of my life and my soul to save me for all eternity. The least I could do is get a hold of You.

One thing v13: put the past behind me and always look ahead where my future is; look ahead where God's call is on my life v14 and Jesus awaits.

A goal; take hold; one thing. Now there's a 3-point message. Think I'll use it for the Baccalaureate message this coming Sunday evening for the graduates.

For me…today…I pray in the precious and powerful Name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior, that You would put a strong hedge of protection around my family. Without Your help we are mere men and women fighting and losing the battle in our own strength. Hedge in my church family-may we mature and grow…numerically as well as spiritually. I pray for those men I witnessed to yesterday -- one in particular -- that they may get a hold of Jesus in their life, too.

Thank You for so much…my health, my ministry, my salvation, my family, my friends, my experiences, and Your forgiveness. Yes, for Your mercy.

Be glorified, Lord. I am second.