JUNE 4, 2013
Pressing
On
Read: Philippians
1:12-18; 3:8-11
That I may know Him and the
power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.
—Philippians
3:10
At a Christian men’s
conference, I talked with a longtime friend who has
encouraged and mentored me for
many years. With him were two young
men from China, new in their faith and deeply
grateful for this man’s faithful
friendship and spiritual help.
My friend Clyde,
nearing 80 years of age, glowed with enthusiasm as he
said, “I’ve never been more
excited about knowing and loving Christ than
I am today.”
Paul’s letter to the
Philippians reveals a heart and purpose that never
diminished with time: “That I may know
Him and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death” (Phil. 3:10).
From the root of Paul’s relationship with
Jesus came the fruit of his undiminished
fervor that others be guided to faith in Him. He
rejoiced to share the gospel and
was encouraged that others became bolder because of him
(1:12-14).
If our goal is merely
service for the Lord, we may burn out somewhere along the
line.
But if our purpose,
like Paul’s and Clyde’s and many others, is to know Christ
and love Him, we’ll find that
He will give us the strength to make Him known to
others. Let us joyfully press on in
the strength God gives!
Father God, I want to know You in all Your fullness and
to love You completely. I believe that relationship
with You is the basis for my service for You.
Help me not to serve out of my own strength.
Learn from Christ then make Him known.
Source:
Our Daily Bread 2012
