Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Philippians 3:13-15
Is there any more important goal one can have? Obviously not according to the apostle Paul. This life is so fleeting and temporal, yet in Him we can have …an eternity of joy and love, because of His great sacrifice and effort to bring us back into intimate fellowship with Him. Heaven isn’t something that is ‘far off’, but is at the ‘door’. This earthly life is fragile, and in a moment it is gone.
O Lord, make me know my end
and what is the measure of my days;
let me know how fleeting I am!
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah Psalms 39:3-5
Knowing and realizing this Truth …Paul’s words have greater value and understanding. Oh friends of Jesus, spend some time today with Him getting to know His heart for you today. Listen to His gentle promptings to ‘walk with Him’ all day. How is this really done? Begin with loving on Him in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you and fill you with His Presence. Learn to be spiritually alert listening for His instructions throughout your day. This friendship with Him isn’t supposed to be just a ‘Sunday’ morning ritual, it is to be a 24/7 … life.
Jesus came to bring us back into intimate fellowship with His Father, Himself, and with the intimate indwelling Presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew the value of the Holy Spirit and how vital that relationship would be in our lives. The Holy Spirit is our DIRECT connection to God. He interprets the ‘Word’ to us (both Rhema and Logos). He speaks the ‘Word’ (Rhema) to our heart and mind. He helps us understand the ‘Word’ (Logos), and the history of God’s interaction with the human race.
Friends … there is only one way of knowing God’s goal and purpose for your life. And that is through the Holy Spirit. So it would seem that learning about the Holy Spirit and how He interacts with you… would be of supreme importance in your spiritual and daily life.
How do you now really get to know someone? It takes effort and time. Lots of time in many different settings and ways. Do engage with the Holy Spirit in all the places you go? Do you ask Him what to do when faced with choices? Do you ask Him to guide you and teach you about God? Or do you just seek out other men for that teaching? He should be your NUMBER #1 source of ALL spiritual teaching. Human teachers should ‘confirm’ what the Holy Spirit is teaching you. Actually most people have the steps backwards, as most seek teachers and then ask the Holy Spirit for confirmation on what is Truth, when they should be seeking Him and listening to Him and then asking Him to confirm it through other sources .. like the Word. Human teachers should ALWAYS be sending you to the Holy Spirit for the Truth of things.
Allow the Holy Spirit speak to your heart today … as to what He has for you. Listen closely to His directions and instructions for this day.