Today's devotional by Dr. Adrian Rogers struck me...as his writtings do oft. Today it speaks to the issue of our time on this earth, and not merely the vast overview of our lives, but down to the minute...every plan we make...whether I should spend this dollar on ______ ...or should I go ________ ...every minute...every decision. I love how he puts it "...checking in with God before you make plans and add to your agenda". Test the holiness of each decision, and let not one escape the question "will this draw me closer to my Lord and God, or will it push me further away?" I love how Paul calls us to accountability in Philippians 3...as we grow in maturity...forcing us to check out every decision. So go out today, and remember the words of Paul to the Philippians before adding anything to your agenda today, and everyday...live every moment...and make every decision..."straining forward to what lies ahead":
Philippians 3:12-21 (ESV)
Straining Toward the Goal
12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
16Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
BIBLE MEDITATION: “And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12 DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: The difference between people is not that one has more time than the other. The difference is whether they use their time wisely. You say, “Well, I’m just killing time.” To kill time, is to commit suicide by degrees. You are just killing yourself because you + time = life. Now, that doesn’t mean you are going to be busy every moment. There needs to be balance in your life – checking in with God first before you make plans and add things to your agenda. Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do. Jesus came to the end of His life and do you know what He said? “I have glorified Thee on earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).
ACTION POINT: Do you have a clear idea of what God wants to do through you today? If not, ask Him right now. Let Him lead you by His Spirit through His Word to discover His will.