Today’s Bible Verse
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
The Goal is Victory
Paul, a seasoned Christian, leader, and apostle (Pastor of Pastors) explains here that although he has many accomplishments in God, he has not yet arrived at the ultimate goal. Being a Christian who has received Jesus Christ means that although you may have had victories and triumphs, we’re not meant to stay there! Because in God, the goal is to receive and exercise your victory in Christ eternally (all the time), not just temporarily. The goal is to live your entire life in the full redemptive power and victory of Jesus and to bring that same redemption to your generation. This means that you shouldn’t just conquer your weaknesses on Sunday or at a conference but every single day!
So, let’s start our year off with the right understanding of our salvation. What have you struggled to overcome in 2022? I’m not talking about things out of your control like other people’s attitudes, how your boss treats you, how your family treats you, etc. I’m talking about what you have personally struggled to conquer in your life in 2022: Insecurity? Unforgiveness? Bad attitude? No Joy? Addiction? Lust? Sin?
Whatever it is, first we must believe and receive that God’s plan is not for you to be stuck in any of those things. We need to settle that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Believe you are more than a conqueror and do not doubt. Doubt keeps us lukewarm, afraid, stuck in the darkness, separated from God’s love. So, believe that we carry the same conquering spirit Jesus does, and then decide to ‘press’ towards living that out every day!
Every victory begins with a ‘press.’ We are more than conquerors who have victory, but victory doesn’t come unless you fight and press for it! In a war, you cannot have victory unless you fight with the weapons you have. This is why Paul says we must ‘press toward the goal’ not walk, not jog, not try, not give it your best shot. Goals aren’t achieved without a ‘press’! Regardless of your age and experience in Church, be clear about the goal your pressing towards in Christ. Settle it and go fight for it because when you fight for victory, it’s guaranteed! (Pastor Branson Silva)
An Uncommon Life
The place we go to battle is in our prayer time. Prayer is where you battle, overcome, and defeat satan and his schemes. You don’t have to wait 5 years to overcome pride, brokenness of a relationship, anger, lust, etc. Settle today that regardless of age, you can and will have victory, today! Press toward that truth that you’re more than a conqueror, and you will not be defeated! So in your prayer time, come against demonic strongholds; speak to them, and conquer them!
God is raising a generation who’s hungry to fight for His kingdom. He’s raising a Holy Nation of warriors who won’t delay God’s plan and God’s complete victory. We are that generation! We are called to demolish every attack, idea, and mindset that is against God. We will be that generation, and we will be the conquerors who do not run in fear but fight in faith and win!
Today’s Declaration
Today, I press toward the goal and prize that Christ won for me. Jesus, You already overcame the weaknesses I have and things I’ve struggled with. Therefore, I declare that I too am more than a conqueror over every temptation, every feeling, and every attack of the enemy! I replace doubt and fear for faith in Christ Jesus and victory in Jesus’ Name!
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Judges 20-21; Psalms 91
- New Testament: Mark 8:22-30; 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
