The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Chris... - Strain Forward Towards the Goal

0:00Life Audio Welcome to the Crosswalk Devotional. We are so glad to have you listening. I'm Michelle Azuric. Today's topic is, strained forward towards the goal. We'll be back after work from our sponsor. I'm Kristi Graham, host of On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse, and I recently interviewed one of our pilots whose plane was hijacked in Africa. I encouraged myself with that reality. That at some point, this is going to end in two hours. It'll end good if I'm on the ground somewhere walking around with the testimony. It'll end great if he pulls the trigger. For me, it will end great. That day, Jim, experienced the power of prayer and witnessed just how mighty the name of Jesus is. If you want to hear this full story, tune in at Samaritan's Purse.org-slashlisten. Americans have a big healthcare problem. Over 100 million citizens carry medical debt while paying for overpriced and complicated health insurance. As Christians, we don't have to pay for a broken system.

1:10Christian healthcare ministries is an alternative to health insurance at half the cost. Plus, you can enroll at any time. Stand up to health insurance with a biblical solution. Join CHM today by visiting CHministries.org-slash-wellness. That's CHministries.org-slash-wellness. Strain forward towards the goal, written in red by Michelle S. Lazaric. Brother and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. The one thing I do, I'm getting 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, Philippians 3, verses 13 to 14. After waiting many months for the Lord's direction, I have begun the ordination process of my denomination, although it is a long complicated process, I know I am up for the challenge.

2:12But first, I wanted to pray and make sure that my decision was not simply my decision, but one that the Lord was calling me to make. Do many months of silence God finally used somebody in my life to confirm what I needed to know. As I've gone through the process, God has recalled many emotional wounds I've needed to heal. Due to past her chur and bad exchanges with brothers and sisters in Christ, I became nervous about whether I could do the job. I wasn't sure I wanted to go back into a situation that could be toxic or harmful to a mental or emotional state. One day, I was reading the word and came across the above verses. It was interesting for me to note the phrase for getting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. The word strain implies that it's not easy to move. For instance, people with physical injuries who want to run a marathon will find it quite tricky. The pain of that injury will impede them from running the face gracefully with a healthy body. Although we may never completely forget the hurts and difficulties of our past,

3:12God wants us to forget what they are and continue toward the goal He has for us. God doesn't want to suit nor the pain. Instead, knowing it's there, we should take steps to care for ourselves and also to achieve the goal He has set for us. With proper rest, nutrition and healthy water intake, a person who runs a marathon with an injury can do so, albeit slowly. It is the same with us. God wants us to strive toward the goal that He has for us. In these verses, the price is heaven. Through many seasons of life, we may be straining toward heaven. We may be going through challenging health crises, financial woes, church or relationships struggles. Yet, through all of it, God wants us to keep moving forward. Even when we are stuck in those emotional wounds, God wants us to heal so we can move forward and reach the price. Just as every marathon runner said schools and works to meet them, we must meet our goals to achieve what God has for us. He does not want us to be stuck in the past. Instead, He wants us to forget what is behind, completely heal from it, and move forward so that we can move toward heaven.

4:19When we move toward heaven, we help others do the same. As people admire us and watch us straining through the ups and downs of life with joy and condemnation, others are drawn to Christ too. When you run the race that has been marked out for us, we in turn help others run the race as well. Don't become stuck in the past. Instead, heal from what has ailed you. Seek the help of a professional, get medication or do whatever you need to forget what's behind you completely. Then, when you are ready, move toward heaven, no matter what pace you are at. Strive toward the goal, move toward heaven, and inspire others to reach heaven's goals as well. Father, let us be people who strain toward the goal. Let us always keep our eyes on the price, heaven. Let us remember then that the ultimate price is being solidified in our identity with you and in our intimate relationship with you. Help us get the resources and time we need to get really heal from the past, to may move forward toward the goal you have set for us.

5:20Amen. Intersecting faith in life. In what way are you stuck in the past? In what ways can we heal from the past so you can move forward to your future goals? Further reading, Hebrews 12, verse 1. The crosswalk devotional is a production of life audio and Salem media. If you liked what you heard today, please take a second to rate and review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can find the show. For more faith-filled inspirational podcasts, visit us at LifeAudio.com. Are you seeking a deeper connection with God, but just can't seem to find time to make prayer a priority? Introducing Mindful Christian Prayers. Whether starting your day or winding down at night, this show is your resource for spiritual renewal.

6:20Each episode features short guided prayers, scripture readings, and moments of silence to help you reflect and connect with the Lord no matter how busy your schedule might be. Tune in now at LifeAudio.com or your favorite podcasting app to embrace the power of prayer and deepen your faith with Mindful Christian Prayers. The Historical Jesus Podcast is the sweeping saga of the life and times of Galilean, Jesus of Nazareth, as well as the faith, religion, and church founded to honor and disseminate his acts and teachings. Join me, Mark Vinet, on this fascinating journey through time exploring the many great works of Christian theology, literature, architecture, music, and art. Inspired by the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.