“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT)
Heaven grows more appealing to me with every passing day, not necessarily because of my physical issues, but because of my growing appreciation for who the Lord is enabling me to become in Him. His nearness enriches my life and His leadership keeps my focus on Him. My hope is you’re experiencing these same things in your life as you focus more and more on His investment in you.
It’s easy in the discouraging days in which we now live, to get down, to lose focus, to lose heart and forget we’re never alone, but the Lord is faithful and will always guide, guard, and equip us for every circumstance.
Brother Ray Majoran’s prayers always encourage and uplift me. May his encouraging words bless you as he prays: “Our Risen Lord, You are the goal of our lives and the prize we long to receive. We praise You as the One who calls us higher, teaching us to let go of what holds us back and to press forward with hope. You are worth more than every achievement, every possession, and every dream this world can offer. Nothing compares to knowing You and being found in You. (Amen! 😊)
Thank You for the reminder that our past does not define our future. You free us from the weight of failures and regrets, and You set our eyes on what is still ahead. In seasons when we feel weary or stuck, remind us that You are faithful to finish the good work You began in us (Philippians 1:6). Please give us strength to take the next step, knowing that the race You have called us to run has an eternal reward (2 Timothy 4:8).
Help us, Lord, to live each day with focus and perseverance. Teach us to press on in faith when the climb feels steep and to fix our eyes on the crown of life that You have promised to those who love You (James 1:12). May our lives point others to the joy of following You, until the day we see You face to face and share in the fullness of Your glory.”
Are you sensing the joy? Is your heart beating a little faster as you think of being with the Lord in heaven? Yes, of course, there are people and things we love here on earth, but our greatest Treasure is Jesus and to be with Him for all eternity tops every other consideration. Learning to thrive in a perfect environment, surrounded with only good and people who all love each other and Jesus with their whole heart, never having to worry about anything, ever! What’s not to love about that?
It occurs to me that in each of our lives there are those who still believe thoughts of God, heaven, eternal life, and the like is all “pie in the sky,” imagination, wishful thinking. It breaks our heart to think of being in heaven without them, but we do what we can do and must leave the results to God. Yes, of course, we continue to pray faithfully, believe wholeheartedly, and work diligently to help them come to the Lord, but ultimately, it’s their decision and the Lord will guide us in the best ways to reach them.
Know this! You are on my mind as I write today and though many of us will not meet on this earth, I look forward to hugging you and with tears of joy in my eyes, thanking you for your faithfulness to the Lord, absolutely, but also for reading these words that He daily gives me. You inspire and encourage me!
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 