24 lines
4.2 KiB
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24 lines
4.2 KiB
HTML
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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<div class="head">Day By Day By Grace</div>
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<div class="subhead">Bob Hoekstra</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020">April 16</div></div>
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<h2>Pressing on to Know the Lord</h2>
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<div class="block"><i>Brethren, <b>I do not count myself</b> to have <b>apprehended</b>; but <b>one thing I do</b>, <b>forgetting</b> those things which are <b>behind</b> and reaching <b>forward</b> to those things which are <b>ahead</b>, I press toward the <b>goal</b> for the <b>prize</b> of the <b>upward call</b> of God in Christ Jesus.</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',3,13,14);">Philippians 3:13-14</a>)</div>
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<p>We have noted that <b>humility</b> is one of the relational realities that God wants to develop in our lives so we can live daily by the grace of God. <i>"God resists the proud, but gives <b>grace</b> to the <b>humble</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Jam',4,6);">James 4:6</a>). Here we see evidence of the <b>godly humility</b> that had developed in the Apostle Paul through the years. <i>"Brethren, <b>I do not count myself</b> to have <b>apprehended</b>."</i> When these words were written, Paul had been walking with the Lord for 25 to 30 years. Yet, he admits that he had <b>not</b> "<b>fully arrived</b>." He confesses that he did not know the Lord so completely that his entire life was a demonstration of resurrection living. Consequently, he had <b>one</b> great goal that directed his life and service: <i>"<b>one thing I do</b>."</i> His <b>all-consuming passion</b> was to get to know the Lord more and more: <i>"that I may <b>know Him</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Phl',3,10);">Philippians 3:10</a>).</p>
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<p>One of the significant issues that keeps believers in Christ from knowing the Lord better is their <b>past</b>. Many Christians focus their attention on their past. <b>Failures</b> of the past <b>plague</b> them with <b>condemnation</b>. <b>Wrongs</b> done to them in the past <b>tempt</b> them to <b>self-pity</b> or <b>bitterness</b>. Past <b>successes</b> give <b>false assurance</b> that things must go well today. Past <b>blessings distract</b> them from seeking the Lord's <b>fresh</b> work in their lives <b>now</b>. Paul gives us heavenly insight concerning how to deal with the past: <i>"<b>forgetting</b> those things which are <b>behind</b> and reaching <b>forward</b> to those things which are <b>ahead</b>."</i> Things of the past need <b>not</b> dominate our present. God's grace can cover past failures and pains. Today, we need to look forward to the next work of grace that He wants to bring forth as we walk on with Him.</p>
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<p>God wants us to move <b>forward</b>, looking <b>upward</b>. <i>"I <b>press toward</b> the <b>goal</b> for the <b>prize</b> of the <b>upward call</b> of God in Christ Jesus."</i> The <b>goal</b> is to get to <b>know</b> the Lord <b>better</b>. We are to press toward that goal, exerting <b>all</b> of the spiritual strength and energy that God's <b>grace supplies</b>. This is our reply to God's heavenly call to seek Him, to know Him. Along the way, we will partake of the prize that comes with that goal. The prize is every blessing that results from getting to know Him better. Let's <b>press on</b> to <b>know</b> the <b>Lord</b>!</p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, help me to forget things of the past that would distract me from You. I want to press ahead to get to know You better. Please reveal Yourself to me through Your word. I humbly ask You to demonstrate Your grace in and through my life, in Your name, Amen.</div>
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<div class="desc-center"><div class="pad2020"><a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0415.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/04/0417.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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