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| Reverend G. S. Adeyemo |
Determine and pay the price of attaining Jesus’ standard of reaching your goal. Determination through the power of the Holy Spirit makes a believer stronger and better till he reaches the perfection Jesus set for us.
“12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
INTRODUCTION
The Super Eagles began their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign on a shaky note with a lone goal victory over Burundi. Considering how crucial the next game was to qualifying for the next round, the Nigerian Coach knowing the passion of Nigerians charged the team to “Go for goals” in their next matches.
Christians must do everything needed to go for their God-given goals in the journey of life. Everyone here on earth has one set target or the other. The ultimate goal is attaining the full stature of Christ Jesus. To reach this goal, you need to observe the following principles:
1. Desire to Know More: Paul did not consider himself as one who had attained complete spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ. He desires to know more. Prov. 15:14, 18:15; 2 Pet. 3:18; Eccl. 7:12; Prov. 4:5; 2 Pet. 1: 5
2. Develop Your Spirit-man: This is an area many of us battles with several things in our life. It is so frustrating to know what is right and still not be able to manage to do it. Romans 7:18; Prov. 25:27-28; 1 Tim. 3:2-3; Titus 2:11-12
3. Determine to Reach the Goal: Determination is the strength that carries you through the path of success in the midst of obstacles. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13b-14
George Lorimer says "You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction." Determination is the ability to make difficult decisions and accomplish God's goals based on the truths of God's word.
When you are determined to succeed, you develop and progress, even if the result is not what was expected. Our determination needs to be governed by righteous desire, commitment, and dedication to God's principles. Be determined to succeed. Determination is the strength Romans 15:4; Ruth 1:16-18; Phil. 3:12-14; Daniel 1:8 that carries you through the path of success in the midst of obstacles. With determination, you remain focused on your goals and are resilient under problems, obstacles, distractions, oppositions, persecutions with conviction. This is a resolve to reaching or achieving your heart desire no matter what may be the price.
Looking at Paul’s statements in the passage, he said, “But one thing I do: Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead...” v 13b. Forgetting means to neglect, to put behind, not to consider as necessary for the sake of where you are going or what you are aiming at getting. If you don't forget the offense of that man or woman against you, you cannot achieve your desired goal. Many prayers are not answered because you are holding on to the past. You are depreciating because you are tied to the past. I challenge you to forget that past so you can move forward. No one holds on to the past and ever progress in life. Isaiah 43: 18. Living in the past is a devil’s weapon of tying down destiny.
Fixing your mind means you strain, stretch, strive, squeeze your worldly comfort and freedom so you can get there. Determine and pay the price of attaining Jesus’ standard of reaching your goal. Determination through the power of the Holy Spirit makes a believer stronger and better till he reaches the perfection Jesus set for us.
Conclusion: Trials may come, temptations may surround you but the Lord will give you all it takes to reach your goals in Jesus name
I pray that the Lord will hold you and lead you through your hurdles till you get to the level God set before you in Jesus name
