REACH FORWARD – 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead… Philippians 3:13 NKJV
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV
In our devotion yesterday, we read how Paul had an eternal perspective and we saw how it motivated everything he did. His perspective motivated his purpose and his pursuits.
Paul declared his purpose when he said, “I want to know Christ…” (Phil. 3:10 NIV). He determined that’s what he was going for in life. That was his goal. If you wrote a “purpose statement” for your life, one that was succinct and clearly identified where you were going, what would it be? Take a minute to think about that.
Consider our passage above. We pursue a lot of things on this earth- success, fame, acceptance, achievement, wealth, etc.- but these verses remind us that the things of this earth are temporary. “Only one life ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
When you look back at the end of your life, what do you want to have lived for?
When you look back at the end of your life, what do you want to have lived for? Wealth and fame or for knowing Christ and telling others about Him? At the end of your life, what do you want the Lord to say you lived for?
What you spend your days doing is what you will spend your lifetime doing. Days add up. Before you turn around, years have passed. Are you living today with an eternal perspective and an eternal purpose? Are you reaching forward toward Godliness? Material possessions and earthly success will pass away. Investments in the things of God never will!
APPLICATION
– Consider what it is you are reaching for. Pray that God would reveal to you any efforts that are not pleasing to Him. Ask Him to help you spend your time, energy, and money on eternal things.
– Praise God for the ministry of Liberty. Thank Him for the clear mission He’s given us of changing lives, communities, and the world for Jesus Christ. Praise Him for the dream of having a location within 30 minutes of every home in Hampton Roads. Thank Him for using our church to make an eternal difference in so many lives. Ask Him how you can partner with His work at Liberty moving forward.
– Pray for the people who will hear the Gospel as Liberty reaches forward through new Connect Groups, new locations, and an enhanced online presence. Pray for the implementation of the Ministry Platform that will support these endeavors. Pray that God would specifically use these efforts to make an eternal difference beyond what we could ask or imagine.