April 17th, 2020 – Devotional With Pastor Dan
(Philippians 3:14 – KJV)…..I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Have you ever thought about your life? Sure you have, we think about it everyday from the time we wake up until the time we go to sleep. As a matter of fact, we are consumed everyday with making our life wonderful here on earth. Or at least we try to. But what will really matter at the end of your life on earth? I think here would be a good time to tell you – “Go read the book of Ecclesiastes”
Will, what you are giving attention to now still be important then – at the end of your life? Think about the things that occupy our every minute of the day. Most of our days are consumed with what we think is important, and we busy ourselves with worthless, mindless, activities (such as – well you put something here) and the Lord gets what is left over. I wonder how many people will be filled with regret for what they did — or didn’t do?
Distractions abound. TV, phones, phone calls, web sites, books, movies, etc.. We could make a whole list of things that diminish our heart, our devotion, our love for Christ. It might be a good idea to stop and evaluate how we are investing our time. And ask ourselves, “Am I pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?” “Or am I going in the opposite direction?”
(1 Corinthians 9:24 – NKJV)….Do you not know that those who run in a race all the run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.
Run to win. Win what? The true prize is an imperishable crown, the crown of life that comes from knowing the Lord intimately, (John 17:3).
(2 Corinthians 4:18 – NKJV)…..While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things that are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
One day (we don’t know when, but God does) each of us will stand before God to give an account for how we lived it. Even though the believer does not need to worry about the Great White Throne judgment to come, we must all give account to Jesus for what we have done with our body, both good and bad (Romans 14:12). Why not order your life now based on that “final reckoning?”
A wise person would not invest everything in something temporary. A wise person invests in something that will last. Invest your life wisely!