Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

-Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

If you do not kickstart your year with priorities, you will drift in and out of the things that demand your attention in the moment.

The number one priority for Christ-followers is: Seek First The Kingdom of God.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, 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.

-Philippians 3:12-14

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on…

-Philippians 3:12a (NIV)

Kingdom-first living is not about perfection.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.

-Romans 7:15–16 (NIV)

“pressing on” dioko (Greek): sprinter, stretching

Lord, may I truly obey you, starting today, to be a courier of your love and your grace to a hurting world. Because up to now, I have really done nothing.

-Mother Teresa

The world is moving away from God, so if you are not constantly moving toward God you are moving away from Him.

Illustration: “Made in Japan”

If you will improve something about yourself and your products every day, and make quality not something that’s like a threshold that you grab and hold onto, but make improving or quality just part of your DNA, just part of your genetic make-up, and you improve something every day about yourself and your product, or what you produce or what you do, here is the promise: In ten years you’ll turn the economy of Japan around, and in thirty years you will be a world power economically speaking.

-Dr. W. Edwards Deming

Here is our problem: We want the instant fix.

The Kingdom of God is like a seed that is planted by the Holy Spirit and watered and fertilized by our spiritual effort.

Kingdom-first people are always raising the mark.

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead…

-Philippians 3:13b (NIV)

What is the mark we should all be straining toward?

Working harder to be holy does not work!

To change what you do, you must first alter who you are. You have to be transformed internally before your behavior changes externally.

Your pursuit—the mark toward which you should intentionally strain in the coming year—is Jesus!

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

-Philippians 3:8-11

As you move toward Jesus, you become like Jesus!

How do you move toward Jesus?

Decisions that are as old as the apostles themselves.

Going to church doesn’t make you perfect; it places you where God can shape you—again and again, week by week.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

-Acts 2:42 (NIV)

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory…

-John 15:7–8a (NIV)

How many times have we failed? Why?

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

-Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

-James 1:12 (NIV)

Illustration: Jonas Salk

I never failed 200 times in my life. In my family, we were taught not to use the word fail. I just discovered 200 vaccines that could not cure polio.

-Jonas Salk

Kingdom-first living is for all who will persevere!

Kickstart your year! Doing what?

• Always raising the mark
• Refusing to dwell on the past

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

God has given me the level and talent, ability, and resources required to achieve His calling on my life.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

-Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

The Kingdom of God is your highest priority. You have other goals and objectives—but none supersedes the Kingdom of God.

The best of me—my talent and my ability—is given in service to Christ’s kingdom.

The best of my resources—all that God has given me—is given to expand Christ’s Kingdom.

Poem: Touch of the Master's Hand by Myra Brooks Welch

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