email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

June 7, 2018

Colossians 1:28-2:2

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me. I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ...
New International Version (NIV)

                 It is good to have a goal! My last year of seminary I started an exercise program and received an evaluation from the doctors there. They observed that I would be more likely to exercise if I had a goal in mind. “Do you want to run a marathon or benchpress 200 pounds? What is your goal?” I answered, “I want to preach until God calls me home! That is my goal.”

                Paul had a goal in his ministry. It was not to build a megachurch or to become president of a convention. Paul’s goal was to preach Christ until everyone who heard him had become mature in Christ. To accomplish this goal he worked really hard with God empowering him. He told the Philippians he wanted to know Christ and the Colossians that he wanted them to know Christ.

                Somewhere along the way in these 37 years as a pastor, I ran a marathon on a Saturday, so I would not miss church. I can even bench 200 pounds. But at the end of the day my only goal is to present the members of this church complete in Christ. I will work hard to accomplish this goal, until God calls me home!

Pray with me:

Father, give us your goal for our lives. Help us never to stop growing spiritually until we grow up completely. Conform us to Christ so that progressively we think the way you think and live the way Christ lived. Give us endurance so that we will not fall short of the goal. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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