Good morning, thank you for taking the time to share in the Word and thoughts with us! Once I get to heaven and meet Jesus and enjoy the presence of God, walk down the streets and kick up gold dust, I want to meet the Apostle Paul. His writings are inspiring, but his language is aggressive in nature, the mindset that we must have to be successful over the enemy. Paul said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14). To “press” carries the idea of working toward something, seeking after something continuously. My friend, we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a prize awaiting us, and we must pursue that prize with all of our heart and mind. We must wake up each more seeking after the promises of God. I want to encourage you to pursue your “high calling” in Christ Jesus, which ultimately will lead us into the presence of God in the perfection whereunto He is calling us. Abraham took his tent and pursued after a city, “he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” Heb. 11:10. This morning, my question is how aggressive are we pursuing that city, that prize, that goal we have to meet Jesus, the one who died for our sins and saved us from a demon hell? Father, I pray this morning that we will enter into the new year with renewed energy to pursue our walk of righteousness as the church of the living God. I pray that we would not get caught up in the distractions that take place in the process but keep the prize in mind and “press toward” that great “Mark” that is set before us, Amen. Be Blessed in Jesus Name.

Good morning; I pray you all had a very blessed celebration of Jesus’ birthday! My thoughts are focused on the new year coming in, and I want to encourage us to press forward. Many will have the question, how can I press forward with all that has taken place in 2020? I completely understand that thought, but the Word of God will always have our answers. “Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3). My friend, I want to encourage us that whatever 2021 may hold, let us commit our efforts to serve God, living as bond-servants to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we focus on the work of Christ as Jesus did when He was 12 years old in the Temple, teaching, and answering questions. When His mother returned because she was worried about her Son, He told her, “I must be about my Father’s business.” As we commit our efforts and works to the Lord Jesus Christ, our thoughts will be established on Him as well. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (v.9). Heavenly Father, I pray for our readers that we would commit our ways unto you, our efforts, and our works; that our thoughts may rest on the eternal work of Christ. And, as we walk into this new year, Lord, I pray we would submit to you; as you are directing our footsteps. Amen. Be Blessed in Jesus Name.