Our walking and running must bring us closer to a dynamic devotion to our Lord. Our devotion will cause us to focus on the prize. We have this awesome privilege of an intimate eternity with our Lord. As we yield to the life and person of the Holy Spirit, we will have the strength and patience to press toward the goal.

What is your focus? Is it to know Christ? Do you want to become deeply acquainted with Him, and know the power that flows out from His life!

 1. Are you still in the race God has put before you?

2. Are you thinking of quitting and letting someone else wear your shoes?

3. Have you really finished the course and done all the Lord has spoken?

Someone has said at times we need to quit thinking about heaven, and start thinking about pushing and pressing harder than ever before. Our focus must be on the prize - our Lord Jesus Christ. 

ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, READY, GO!

Have you found your purpose for living? Does your goals and vision line up with the principals in the Bible? I like what God thinks about purposes. He shared His eternal plan with the world in Ephesians 3:11, "...according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord..."

Also in 2 Timothy 1:9 we have the heart of the gospel message given, "...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,..."

I believe God gave guidelines for determining our purpose for living. He gave His only son for the good of mankind. He had a goal, purpose, and vision to bring light and peace to the world.

Jesus Christ, the Son, showed us the way in - 1 John 3:8B and Acts 10:30,"For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil; and He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed of the devil." In all of our goals, we can all be like our Lord who went about doing good.

Do you need a new dream, purpose, or plan for your life? There is a story in the Bible which gives a great plan for the miraculous:

A young lady, named Mary, received a divine encounter with Gabriel, an angel sent from God. She was told she would have a Son, and would call His name Jesus.

This would happen as the Holy Spirit from God would overshadow her (Luke 1:34-38). Mary responded in three ways we can also use as a guide for our planning and purposes:

1.  Give Unconditional Surrender to God

2.  Be a Carrier of the Word

3.  Believe the Word

Mary heard the astonishing word from God and she said, "I am your servant. Let your word come true in my life."

This young woman did not refuse the surprise word that came, but she surrendered her life to carry a new life. She believed the words of God. As you make your plans for the new year, are you...

1.  Filling yourself with the written Word of God so you will be a carrier of life?

2.  Believing what God has already spoken in His Word?

God bless you as you allow the power of the Highest to overshadow your life.