“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians 3:14)

I’ve always liked Bob Dylan’s song “Pressing On”. As Dylan belts out,“I’m pressing on to the higher calling of my Lord.” The chorus girls in the back ground can be heard singing “on and on and on” in such a repetitive drone that you can almost feel the strain of continuing with something that you’d rather quit.

Some hills that we climb are like that—on and on.  Some days are like that too—on and on. Some problems never seem to get resolved—on and on, and some burdens get heavier as we go.

No wonder we are encouraged to press on and not to quit and we are reminded that there is a prize for those who persevere. Our heavenly Father knows that it isn’t always easy.

There are times when our uphill grind is a result of our own poor choices rather than following God’s plan. Proverbs 4:26 urges us to make level paths for our feet, and take only ways that are firm. It’s a decision that we need to make daily; to walk in God’s paths rather than our own.

God will Guide us with his counsel and take hold of our hand—if we are willing. (Psalm 73:23) He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) It’s so much easier to ‘work out’ with someone else, isn’t it? You’re not on this journey alone.

If you find yourself running hard today like a hamster chasing around inside his wheel—on and on—trying hard, but feeling like you’re spinning in circles going nowhere, be encouraged. God see’s the desire of your heart. He knows you’re pressing on for Him. He will not let your foot slip, for he watches over you. Psalm (121:3)

Father, help us to not lose sight of you along the way. You urge us to press on but you also equip us and energize us to continue. Thank you, God, for empowering us to continue on. Amen.

Question: What uphill battles do you face today? Do you need a reminder that He is there to hold your hand?

About the Author: Beverley Rayner

Right now, what are the main priorities in your life? Take this online study.

My husband thought a garage sale would be a good idea to de-clutter our home. Once everything had been gathered from the far corners of every nook and cranny of the house, I stood staring at the tables loaded with our accumulated junk. Oh my goodness! How did we collect so much? Why had we thought that we needed all this?

Some items held fond memories but did I really need them? Seeing the mother-load collected there was fodder for thought.  My home isn’t the only thing that needs de-cluttering. My life, my goals and desires, places I’d love to visit, things I’d like to accomplish, all this needs to be weighed on the comparison scale of God’s surpassing greatness.

There’s nothing wrong with setting goals if they are aligned with Gods plan for our lives, but it’s amazing how many decisions in a day can detract us from the bigger purpose of knowing God.

Paul said that he considered everything a loss in comparison to knowing Jesus. In fact he went as far as to say that he thought of them as rubbish, worthless trash. I couldn’t help but think that my garage sale was a load of old rubbish.  Most of my heart’s desires have bordered on rubbish because He hasn’t called me to the things I’ve been chasing after.

When I stop and consider my pale desires in light of the surpassing greatness of knowing Him, how can they compare?

Remember the merchant in Matthew 13:45 looking for fine pearls? When he found one of great value he sold everything he had just to own the precious pearl. I want Jesus to be my precious pearl, to take the place of all the “rubbish” that distracts me from knowing Him.

Here’s something else I’ve discovered: when we let go of the clutter we find our greatest fulfillment in knowing Him, even on routine days.

Remind us Lord that nothing comes even remotely close to knowing You. Help us de-clutter our lives. We need You Lord, today and always. Live in us Father God, and may your resting place reside in us today and always.  Amen.

Questions: What clutter in your life today is keeping Jesus from taking first place?

About the author Beverley Rayner

Have you given God the opportunity to accomplish infinitely more than you would ever dare to ask or hope for in your life?

We try to be self-sufficient and get so busy that we don’t invite God to get involved with our needs, dreams, desires, and hopes. God is waiting for us to ask for His involvement in our daily routines and the future. I wonder if He doesn’t get frustrated with us because He wants to give us so much but we don’t ask Him for it. Our prayerlessness denies Him the opportunity to show us His awesome power.

The next time you come into a situation that is too big for you to solve, or seems hopeless, invite God to get involved. He is waiting for an invitation. In The Prayer of Jabez devotional book, Bruce Wilkinson writes, “It doesn’t matter whether you are short of money, people, energy, or time. What God invites you to do will always be greater than the resources you start with.” When the hand of God is upon you He may ask you to do things you don’t think you are capable of doing. However, that is when He can show  His awesome power as we stretch and grow in our spiritual lives.

If we do not “ask or imagine” what limit does God have to exceed? Our finite minds simply cannot grasp what God has in store for us as His beloved children. We have no idea how many times we have prayed and God has answered our prayers but is waiting for the proper time to give the answer.

Do you notice when God answers your prayers? Ask God to adjust your spiritual vision so you will recognize when He is working in your life. Pray about the little concerns in your life then stand back and watch God answer, you will be amazed.

Father God, Please help me to thank You for the answers to my prayers. At the end of the day remind me to recall the many answers you have given, even the little ones throughout the day. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see Your power at work in my life.

Bruce Wilkinson, The Prayer of Jabez devotional, (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, Inc., 2001), p 68.

Questions: Have you given God the opportunity to accomplish infinitely more than you would ever dare to ask or hope for in your life? Is God involved in your daily routines and the future?

About the Author Lillian Penner

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Dealing with Fear: A Lesson from a Two-Year Old, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

Join us for our Daily Devotional Chat today in our Women’s Chatroom at 10:30am EST.

Our technological world is one of instant answers with the push of a button.  Life also affords us the opportunity to choose our internal “button pushing” responses. Whatever circumstance you find yourself in today will allow you a choice of what button to push. Your choice will affect the outcome. Can you identify with each of these buttons in life?

1.     Panic Button
I am sure you have experienced being in a parking lot when someone has accidentally hit the panic button of their vehicle.  It is a head turner.  If you are like me, I have found myself hitting the panic button of life’s situation more times that I care to recall.  It is those panic-mode situations that cause stress and make our thought process look like something in a blender.  In the Bible, Jacob fled because he stole his brother’s birthright; Peter denied he knew Jesus and left, and Adam and Eve hid when they disobeyed God. During times of panic, we sometimes have difficulty processing what is Truth and that is when problems begin.  Timothy wrote, ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’ (2 Timothy 1:7) When panic strikes, we then need to take our hands off the panic button and breathe!  Let God take that situation from you.  Ask Him for His wisdom, His comfort, and His next step.  Then, hit the….

2.     Reset Button
Take a step back. Reset your life.  Take stock in what just happened and begin your journey again with God as the driver.

“…but let God change the way you think.  Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him” (Romans 12:2b). Hitting this button will place things into perspective. It is not the time to hit the escape button, but face life head on. This is the moment to make a definite effort to start again.  Reset and remember ‘Whose’ you are.  The Apostle Paul had his reset button pushed through various circumstances and look at what God allowed him to accomplish. So, hit this button then get ready to push the….

3.     Default Button

Make the default button in your life, God!  Let Him be the one who controls your thought pattern.

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper.  Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8).

Without a doubt, we will face situations where panic is inevitable. That is life. For some, it may mean hitting the default button numerous times a day or week.  Fill your mind with God’s Word.  Let those verses of promise and comfort fill your mind so that when panic does strike, you can claim His promises.  I have repeated those to myself many times and it gives me great comfort. God is still on the Throne…how amazing!

Pushing buttons is a part of our lives just like breathing. I encourage you to take your finger off the panic button, reset it, and let God be your default button today.  Rejoice in the fact that God is your answer; He is the one who help you get your life back on track.  What button will you choose to hit today?

Father God, I praise You for being my Default Button.  You are so patient.  When situations cross my path, I pray that I will have the courage, from You, to hit the Default Button and claim Your help. For this, I truly thank You.  In Your Power, Amen.

Questions: Are you prone to press the panic button as a reaction to your circumstances? What do you need to “reset” today and “default” to God?

About the Author Linda Goodhand Rodgers

Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, When you Speak, God Hears, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog

It’s easy to be negative about it. That calendar flips over and suddenly humanity swells with good intention. Intention that rarely ever sees February.  But maybe this year, instead of making a top 10 list of vague resolutions – lose weight, pay off debt, quit smoking – you could sharpen your pencil, get real, and ask yourself one question.

What is it that I want?

You want to play guitar, swim off the island of Santorini, Greece, help protect leatherback sea turtles or learn Spanish? Well how much do you want it? Because you are the only one who can take the necessary steps to make it happen. You can decide to do these things on any day of the year, but what better time than at the brink of a fresh, clean slate.

Instead of moping about new year’s resolutions, take some advice from H.L. Hunt,

“Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.”

What’s on your list of things you want to accomplish, places you want to see, people you want to meet? Are you trying to tackle that list proactively or are you whining at the thought of resolutions?

Image credit: moni

I often need to let things steep in my mind and heart much like making a good pot of tea. Lately I’ve been pondering a thought from Dr. Myles Munroe book on “Understanding the Purpose and Power of Prayer”. It is this…

“The backbone of prayer is our agreement with God’s Word…”

As this steeped in my heart I began to see my praying differently. Often I determine what would be the best answer in my situations and then ask God, in faith, to accomplish it. Scripture is sometimes a part of that. Yet God began to challenge my heart to ask Him first what His Word says about what I am praying for. How could I agree with His Word in the things that I felt prompted to pray for?

Here are some prayer nuggets I found as I asked God how to pray according to His word.

When praying for someone who seems oblivious to God’s care for her.
Show her the wonder of Your great love, O Lord. Psalm 17:7

When praying for someone who seems directionless in her work.
Establish the work of her hands, O Lord. Psalm 90:17

When praying for someone who sincerely desires to walk in God’s ways.
Since she lives in the Spirit, help her keep in step with the Spirit. Gal. 5:16-20

When praying for someone who is tempted to go back into her old ways.
Thank you Lord that it is for freedom that You have set us free. Help her to stand firm and not be entangled again in this slavery. Galatians 5:1

When praying for someone who is confused about how to live.
Lord, help her not to conform to the patterns of the world but to be transformed by the renewing of her mind so she can prove out Your will in her life. Romans 12:2

When praying for someone who is distracted spiritually by acquiring things.
Lord, help her to set her affections on things above and not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

When praying for someone who is despondent and brokenhearted.
Lord, restore her soul and lead her in right paths for the sake of Your name.
Psalm 23

When praying for someone who needs to give her heart to the Lord.
Thank you Lord, that You are patient and desiring everyone to come to repentance. Help her to choose to turn her life into Your hands. 2 Peter 3:9

When praying for someone who desires a mate, a new job or a change.
Thank you Lord that You will perfect that which concerns her today.
Psalm 138:8

When praying for those worn out in ministry.
Lord, may she be energized today as she lives her life on the wavelength of the great commission. Matthew 28:19

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that Your word gives us everything we need for life and for godliness.
Teach us to pray according to Your Word and not according to our wishes. Lead us in new paths of prayer as we look to discover first what Your word says about what we are praying for. Teach us to pray, Lord. In Jesus’ powerful name I ask, amen.

Question: How can you use the Scripture to shape your prayers today?

About Gail Rogers

Daily podcast: A second daily devotional, When We Miss the Target, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog