Let’s Press Toward the Mark!

Sometimes we lose sight of where God wants to take us in life.  I’m not talking about a physical location, but a spiritual state in which we are tuned in to Him and are doing His will.  We can get so caught up in the issues of everyday life that we stop pressing on into the things of God.

Darrell “Coach D” Andrews recently shared “Let’s Press Toward the Mark” on LinkedIn and graciously agreed to let me share it here:

The Hebrews 11 “Hall of Faith”

One thing I have come to realize as a believer in Christ is that faith is a very powerful tool for biblical based living. If you read Hebrews Chapter 11, you will see many stories of great saints that lived their lives by faith and hence were placed in the “Hall of Faith.” Verse 7 reads, “By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.”

Vs. 8-10 tells us “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.”

Lastly, vs. 6 puts it all in perspective, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Faithful Perseverance Through Tribulations

Many people read stories of faith and assume that the faith walk is simple and without tribulations. If you read the stories of all of these amazing saints in detail, you will notice that this is not true. Many of them suffered great persecution as a result of their faith in God. Their example of faithful perseverance, I believe, was placed in the scriptures as an example for all who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They obtained the prize because they kept their eyes on he who created them.

Press On!

The apostle Paul give us an introspective answer to the faith walk in Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV) which reads, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Saints of God, like the apostle Paul who often pleaded with his fellow saints (See Romans 12:1-2 as an example), I plead with you to press. Press in your businesses, press in your careers, press with your children, spouses and family. Press in your stance for biblical based families and family values. Press in prayer for our nation, the politicians who run it and the businesses that operate within in.

Working Out

I work out with a passion, for I love the feeling I get afterwards, as well as understand the benefits to me physically. Many times, however, I have to press through. Often I want to quit because I am physically and mentally drained. But I think about my young children and how as a father I want to give them “The gift of good health.” As I get older, I want them to have a healthy and whole father and mother. This is a gift we are giving to them.,

 

Just like in the workout, we cannot get weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we faint not (Gal: 6:9 KJV.)

Live by Faith

The world needs us to live by faith in God, my dear friends. Do not let the pressures of this life cause us to become faithless. If so, we are no different than those who oppose our faith in God. The enemy of our souls certainly would enjoy seeing this (and unfortunately has in many ways.) We live in one of the most challenging times in my generation, yet this is not new to God. He is the ruler of the heaven and earth and by placing your faith in him, you are assured the victory.

Let Go of the Past

Remember what Paul told us in Philippians 3:13, “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” As Dr. Myles Munroe said years ago “It is a tragedy to be preoccupied with the past at the expense of the future.” Don’t allow your past experiences to destroy your future possibilities. Press towards the Mark for it is God who is the rewarder of those who diligently seek him, not man!

Darrell “Coach D” Andrews is a nationally acclaimed speaker, career-life-coach and author. He is the father of 4, husband of 1 and has been sharing the truth of God’;s word for 25 years. His website is www.coachdspeaks.com