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| If there's one thing I do |
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There is a phrase in the Bible, “one thing”, that embodies that which rises in importance above all else in our life. This one thing reveals to others, and to God, the greatest love of our heart, the central thought of our mind, that which we strive for with our greatest strength, and ultimately the chief end of our existence. It might be the one thing we know (John 9:25), or perhaps the one thing we desire or seek (Psalm 27:4). Sadly it could also be the one thing we lack (Mark 10:21), or maybe even the one thing that we need (Luke 10:42).
It may also be the one thing we do...
3:13 But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This one thing Paul did clearly and unambiguously revealed the one thing that was most important to him. He was a single-minded man! For him, to live was Christ! He did a lot of things, but everything he did was somehow done for the glory of God.
This is not at all to say that I should become neglectful of all other responsibilities. It’s a matter of priority. If my devotion to God is real, he will never be an afterthought at the end of my day, instead he will be with me in the planning stages at the beginning of each day.
I ask myself, when others look at my life, what would they conclude is the one thing above all else that I am devoted to? I’d like more than anything for those who know me to be able to say, without hesitation or thought, “one thing is for sure, there’s a man who is devoted to his God.”
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| Good post Mike...I like the second part of verse 12 that says, "I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" and because He has laid hold of me I am able to win the prize of the upward call of God (v14). |
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| Amen Zach! I too thank God that "Christ Jesus took hold of me," in order that I may take hold of the prize for which he's calling me heavenward! Imagine that, he's calling me heavenward. He doesn't just sit back and let me try to find it on my own. Isn't that amazing???? |
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| Thats amazing grace for ya Mike...we would never find it if He left it up to us. Praise God that He didn't do that! |
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JayKTX |
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August 10, 2007 at 12:26am |
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| This post reminds me of a song: "Single-minded, whole-hearted." I've not arrived, but that's my objective. |
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Charlie Hall, right Jay? I have a CD with that on it, love it too!! Thanks for the stars, my dear friends. You'll never know how much I appreciate your affirmation.  |
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Rosie |
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August 10, 2007 at 4:11am |
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| Mike this is a great post and from just knowing you by what i have read i can say that i see Christ hand written all over you and that you are a man after Gods heart and that you value greatly your realtonship with Christ. I say the one thing you do is display Christ first and far most in your life. That in it's self speaks volumes to people the one thing my husband admires the most about my brother Dennis is that he is what he says he is in Christ.......God bless you my Brother |
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Lovely verbiage. What an ernest objective, not to be like Paul, rather to be like Christ who did nothing of His own will. He only did what His Father instructed him to do; that is the "one thing" David wrote about in Psalms: Worship. Obedience is the purest form of worship. Just do what the Father says.
When we get to heaven it wont be about winning souls because there are no lost souls in heaven.
When we get to heaven it wont be about healing the sick because there are no sickly in heaven.
When we get to heaven it wont be about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked because there is no lack in heaven.
When we get to heaven it will be about "one thing" WORSHIP. Worship is the eternal issue.
Sorry, I did not mean to get preachy.
Shalom,
Dr. Thomas Michael |
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Rosie (and Kristie)......  Thanks so much for the affirmation! You guys are "my joy and my crown", as Paul said so well!!!
Dr Thomas, what a lovely comment, thank you!! And I totally jive with what you said! "Obedience is the purest form of worship." How about that?! Awesome, isn't it? The best way to thoroughly enjoy a Sunday worship service is to continue worshiping Mon thru Sat with your obedience!! (Wow, I can't believe I just linked to the first blog we/I ever wrote on this site - cool!) Oh, and preachy? No way, not in that comment! Thanks and God bless! ~mike
ps... does anybody ever say "jive" anymore, or was that strictly a 70's thing? |
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Glenn |
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August 10, 2007 at 12:54pm |
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Mike,
This is another great post. I have enjoyed reading many of your posts.
you wrote,
"I ask myself, when others look at my life, what would they conclude is the one thing above all else that I am devoted to? I’d like more than anything for those who know me to be able to say, without hesitation or thought, “one thing is for sure, there’s a man who is devoted to his God.”"
I realize how often I fall short of living a life that would lead an observer or God to look at me and say "one thing is for sure, there's a man who is devoted to his God.", but your words often spark a desire to renew my service to our God.
I thank you for your faithful words. God has been using you to spark each of us in one way or another, and I for one love to be reminded of my first love, Jesus.
peace out,
Glenn
ps... jive is pretty much out. |
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"your words often spark a desire to renew my service to our God."
ooohhh!!! Glenn, now you've just made my day!!!! Thank you thank you thank you for your post! It is wonderful when God speaks to others right after he's spoken to me. I don't have the words to express how great that is. God bless, brother! ~mike |
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| i love these verses... they are always such a reminder that everything i do, whether menial or large... if i do them striving to bring glory to my God..then all will be satisfied and never meaningless because im not working for the outcome of those tasks here on earth but for my prize to be with Christ!! you guys rock!!! |
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| Yes this is a great thought, and i would like for my on thing above anything elese is that He always was trying to tell people about Jesus! this is a great site keep on keepin on. |
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| Great Post, Mike ! The other Mike |
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Deb |
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August 10, 2007 at 3:25pm |
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| Mike, I would say that from what I have read that you have written here on MyChurch, that you are a man devoted to God. This is another great post, and gives me a lot to think about. |
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| Another great post bro. The ultimate goal of all disciples should be to be Christlike. The apostles and saints just show us it is possible to do. Keep up the good work. |
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Awsome God, Awsome scripture, Awssome Blog. |
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| Thats good Mike. God bless. |
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| Thanks Billyray, appreciate hearing from you! ~mike |
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| I dont use the word "Jive" much, but I do use the word "groovy". I think it is a 70's word too. Thats ok. Only the 'Cool" people use words like " Jive" & " Groovy". ( :) LOL! ) |
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