Purple Ark Ministries PAVE Devotional

© Copyright Reserved October 29th 2009

Reaching for the Prize

"Stretched for His Glory"

This devotional is dedicated to the many volunteers who help serve the poor for Thanksgiving and "Kids Without Christmas"  Thank you so much for your labor of love!

Phil 3:13-21 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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.

 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

During the yester years of my youth I was blessed with the experience of being a competitive runner in track and field.

However, my race with life did not start on the athletic field, but it begin when I was 14 years old. I was a runaway teen who had left home to escape a life of physical and mental abuses. I found comfort in knowing that at anytime I could flee from harms way.

It was one thing my coach taught me that gave me the edge for a victory, it was stretching myself towards the finish line.  Many times I would find myself running neck and neck with my brothers on the field. In the last seconds of the race before the finish line, my coach would tell me to not give up, you can do it, stretch forward he would say.   Let us reflect once more on Phil 3:13 and 14, Brothers, 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. Our faith is being tested today to overcome the exhaustion and to extend ourselves in Christ, to rise above the barriers that life presents. The enemy of God is working hard to distract our minds away from the goal line which is Christ Jesus.

Many times we don't actually believe that we can win, but reluctantly we continue to aim for the mark. In this season we must put on the mind of Christ. Our life must aim toward redemption that comes through the Son of God. The personal exercise of faith must begin at the cross. We must forget the things that are behind, disregard the world that says you cannot achieve all things in Christ. Sometimes I get discourage, but then I look to Jesus who suffered for my salvation and I once again surrender my flesh to the cross. Let us join with others to reflect the teachings of Christ. 

Thanksgiving is our opportunity to come together and demonstrate the love of God in helping the poor. Let us pursue a higher calling! We don't have to settle for a comfortable position in our faith. It is time to stretch our pursuit for deliverance. The devil is gathering his army for the end time battle, he is gambling his success that we will not come together, but that we will fight among ourselves. It is the enemy that has infected so many in believing that we can cherry pick the laws of God. When the party is over there will be millions and billions of souls crying for just one more chance to get it right.  Darkness will fall one day, the finish line will disappear, the chance for victory will be gone, the skycrappers will be gone, the beautiful houses, fleeting ship and highways will crumble back to dust.  In the last day we will not wander in the dessert like Israel and Moses, it will all come to an end.   Let us learn from the errors of our history and be prepared when the son of God returns.   In Jesus Name

Johnson Oatman Jr. writes: "I'm pressing on the upward way, New heights I'm gaining every day; Still praying as I'm onward bound,"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." My heart has no desire to stay Where doubts arise and fears dismay; Though some may dwell where these abound, My prayer, my aim is higher ground. I want to live above the world, Though Satan's darts at me are hurled; For faith has caught the joyful sound,The song of saints on higher ground.I want to scale the utmost heightAnd catch a gleam of glory bright; But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."Lord, lift me up and let me standBy faith on heaven's table-land,A higher plane than I have found: Lord, plant my feet on higher ground".

Father, forgive us when we repeat the mistakes of generations past, We want to learn how to walk in faith and obedience. We get lost sometimes Lord, we get lost!  We are nothing without with you Father. Teach us how to work together, to glorify you together, to serve the poor together and give thankgivings together!  We want to overcome our human ways so much Lord!  So many have fallen short and have lost their way. Send the church out to find the lost souls Lord, teach us how to be planters and farmers of the field of your creation.  Forgive us when we stop listening Lord.   Let Your water of life teach us again, let the day of Pentecost fall upon us again. Oh mighty God, shutdown the evil spirits that wants to control your creation.

Let your will be done in Jesus Name. Amen

Purple Ark and Facebook Friends:

Please join with us to fast and pray starting 10:00 a.m November 7th until November 8th 2009 at 10:00 a.m.  Please pray for a mighty out pouring of the Holy Spirit.

Please pray for a mighty out pouring of Healing and deliverance.  Please pray for the new souls to come to the altar of God.  Please email us at (link) dan@purpleark.org to let us know that you will take part in our P.A.V.E. international prayer effort.  Prayer changes things and faith cause breakthroughs.  Please fast and pray for our mission to the poor. 

God bless you all!