Be Present: Goal by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. –Philippians 3:12-16 [Message]

None of us are perfect. We all have our flaws, even while focused on GOD, buttons that can be pressed that eventually cause us to lose focus. Paul, a great leader and devoted follower of Christ, recognized that even he still had room to grow in Christ. He knew that he wasn't perfect and when people tried to make him their source of strength he always pointed back towards GOD.

GOD’s working on you, cleaning out all the dead weight holding you down, and He's fitting you with the lightness of His love and grace. This takes time and patience on our part because for most of us it isn't a snap of the fingers and we're pure. But GOD sees your desire to improve your life, to shed the stuff that has been holding you back, and He is constantly at work on your heart, opening your eyes to the areas you need growth. He works at a pace we can keep up with and by staying focused on Him, we will receive the ultimate transformation.

Each year on New Years Day we're supposed to evaluate the previous year and set new goals, goals that are supposed to last more than a couple of weeks, but most don't hold to those goals because it requires effort, sacrifice, and change. Being a follower of Christ requires goals and those goals need to be evaluated more than once a year, more than once a month, but every day. Being a follower of Jesus isn't for the lazy. It's not a choice you make once and you're instantly an exceptional spiritual athlete, but it's a constant daily decision to stay focused on Him.

"Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites." –Philippians 3:17-19 [Message]

It's so easy to get distracted by any number of things, but by staying focused on GOD we won't get caught up with those who are diverging in their course. Christianity isn't about being focused on your pastor, the coworker who brought you to church, or the fellow student who shared GOD's love with you. It's completely about Christ and His love He offers and freely gives to those who answer His calling. It's about living in the moment, here and now, and trusting that He'll take care of you in the future. GOD knows what's best for you and the proper time for things to happen. He'll see you through the obstacles of life and when you reach the end, He will welcome you with open arms and a smile of pure love and joy.

Encounter Prayer:

Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. . . For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.  Amen. –Philippians 3:14, 20-21

Encounter:

• What goals have you set for your relationship with Christ?  What is distracting you from your focus?
• How are the people around you helping or hindering your progress?  Who are you comparing yourself to?
• What obstacles are you meeting up with today?  How might you surrender these challenges over to Christ Jesus?  Will you let Him transform you?  Today?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.

Be Present: Past is Past by Robert Dickerson

Encounter the Word:

The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.  –Philippians 3:7-11 [Message]

Your past is the past, set in stone, unchangeable. It doesn't matter if you used to keep the letter of the law or if you were a menace to society, you are now a servant of GOD—He lives within your heart and all the beauty that He brings He gives freely to you. Love, compassion, and grace He pours over you, changing you into His image, molding you into the person you were intended to be.

Stop pointing to your past, for you are pointing in the wrong direction. If you are pointing to previous actions to define yourself your arm is pointing away from GOD and what He's accomplished in your life. GOD and only GOD, is the only source that defines our lives for without Him, what kind of rubbish have you created that compares to Him?

Watch out for fellow believers that point to their past. One's past doesn't define who they are because we all started off as sinners. One's status in life isn't defined by being born into wealth or how large your family is. Recognize these people so that you are not misled. GOD’s Spirit doesn't boast about past accomplishments, but gives the blessing of joy in knowing that GOD has seen your choices to work for His glory. Your reward is being prepared in Heaven and if you try and take it early here on Earth, you are stealing it from Heaven. Personally, I'd rather reap my reward for eternity than the brief blink of an eye here on Earth.

Encounter Prayer:

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it… We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Amen –Philippians 3:15-16,20-21 [Message]

Encounter:

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?
• When you list what you have done in a resume or vitae, who are you seeking to impress? How?
• What role do you believe your past will play in your salvation?
• How might you see and share your life so as to give glory to GOD for what He has done?

Devotional by Robert Dickerson of Younger Generation Church.  Posted by A. Allan Martin by permission.