Raise the bar and set it high. If we have a low expectation for our Christian walk we might easily achieve it but deny ourselves what could have been.
Apostle Paul said his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him to be. Paul makes several claims in Philippians 3 (TPT).
v9 “My passion is to be consumed with him…”
v10 “I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus more fully and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me.”
v12“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own”.
God knit us together in our mother’s womb. When someone knits it’s with a purpose in mind, maybe it will be booties or a blanket to snuggle in. They pick the type of yarn, the colors, and the pattern depending on who it’s for and the purpose of the creation.
Likewise, when God knit us together he picked certain traits and features, added abilities and gifting’s, certain likes, and motivations. Can you just picture God picking out your 23 pairs of chromosomes and 10,000 plus genes that make you unique? He then lovingly knit them all together into a person called you.He did it with a purpose in mind.
Paul didn’t depend on his own strength to accomplish fulfilling his purpose or discovering what it was; it came from time with God. Paul couldn’t go to the library to check out a book titled DISCOVERING PAUL’S PURPOSE FOR DUMMY’S and neither can we. We only get if from one source, our Creator, He alone holds the blueprint for our life.
Paul further states “I have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead”.
Paul didn’t literally forget his past, but he turned his back on his old way of life to face the future. He left behind things that would take his focus away from Jesus or keep him from his purpose.
Like Paul, in Jesus, we have a new future. Yet our past was not in vain; it is now our testimony of God’s grace for what He has done. God can use the bad in our past for good in our future.
Consider Paul, he called himself a chief of sinners, and he went on to write a good chunk of the New Testament.
If your like Paul saying, I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing but I want to run with passion into God’s abundance so that I may reach the purpose that he has called me to fulfill and I want to discover it…..today is a good time to begin that discovery.
Let’s raise the bar of our expectation.
The stars, clear and bright, twinkling in the night sky as I gaze through the window; what a delight. To put things into perspective, I live in city, though small, the lights and some pollution do not give the best of views. I have become accustomed to the way I normally see the night sky so having a clearer view is a delight. I see more stars than normal with a blacker backdrop for them with the absence of haze.
Have you noticed some dating couples are content with a casual relationship? They spend more time with their individual friends and separate interests than with each other? Then other couples desire to be around each other frequently, pursuing similar interests and common friends. Someday, they will fully commit to each and marry. Other individuals know after the first or second date that this is the person they will spend the rest of their life devoted to; the relationship is full of passion and devotion. The woman anticipates the day her beloved asks “will you be mine?”
As you stay tuned into Me, walking close by My side, guided by Holy Spirit, you will know the way to go. The decision will be yours on what you choose to do. I have much before you, things your heart desires of. You are my beloved; I want the best for you.
I heard of a gentleman who worked in the library of a newspaper agency where files were kept on people. People were divided on shelves between the living and the dead. One day as he was looking through the ‘dead people’ section spotting a file on Jesus Christ, with no one looking he moved the file into the ’living people’ section.
I was taking a trip to Oregon; having done this countless times I have my route down with a preferred cut off which takes me from the highway over to the interstate I need. The evening before I left a friend asks if I had tried this other route they take, stated it’s a 10 mile straight shot which would put me on the interstate much quicker. Quicker sounded better so I thought I would try it, after all they sounded sincere in their directions.
My child, do not be anxious. I know not knowing what will be can be trying, let My peace fill you today. Do not try to plan for something you don’t know what you need to plan for, it expends needless energy and causes unrest. When the unknown becomes known then you will be able to make plans with facts in hand and a direction to go.
I have laid out a good way for you to go, one I know you will take delight in when you follow it. I custom designed it just for you knowing your likes, gifts, talents, and abilities. It has enough challenges to keep you invigorated and engaged, yet enough not to overwhelm you or to be impossible when you walk beside me, seeking my guidance and wisdom. Shall we begin—today is a perfect day!
2019 is finally here, it has been a few millenniums in the making. What shall we do with the gift of 2019 we have been given? Yes, I call it a gift, a present, one in which we should engaged with, for God has created and entrusted us with it. Psalm 118:24 says “this is the day the Lord has made, We will rejoice and be glad in it”. 2019 is a year the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
What are you contemplating, what things are on your mind? Bring them to Me, let us reason together, I will share My thoughts with you, reveal some things you are unaware of so you can make the best informed decisions. I will share My plans and desires for you but ultimately the decision is yours with the free will to choose; choose wisely, I desire the best for you, the path of blessings not curses, I desire for you to prosper even as your soul prospers. I love you, my child; as a good Father I watch over you, with open arms I welcome you into where I am. Come, come let us sit together for a while and talk heart to heart.
Beyond the Silver Coin 