Philippians 3:10-11

Philippians 3:10-11 “ [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death.”
This is the time of year that everyone makes New Years Resolutions. We make long lists of things we want to do to improve ourselves-go to the gym, lose weight, eliminate any number of things that are oh-so-good to eat but bad for our health. Carving out more time for devotions always topped my list. But after a few weeks, all of those things that were supposed to improve my life, fell by the wayside. And I felt like a big flop. So, this year I suggest that we not make promises to ourselves. Promises we can’t keep. Let’s start the new year in prayer, releasing all of our expectations to the Lord Jesus, surrendering ourselves completely into His tender Arms, trusting Jesus to be our All in all. He will not only convict us to change old habits, but He will also give us the strength to have victory in what He knows we need. But I love what Elizabeth Elliott said. This year, let us ask God to dissolve all of our hopes into a single hope-To know Christ and be found in Him.

“My goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace,
Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God; 
’Tis His to lead me there, not mine, but His.
’At any cost, dear Lord, by any road!’
“So faith bounds forward to its goal in God,
And love can trust her Lord to lead her there;
’Upheld by Him, my soul is following hard
Till God hath fulfilled my deepest prayer.
“No matter if the way be sometimes dark,
No matter though the cost be ofttimes great, 
He knows how I best shall reach the mark,
The way that leads to Him must needs be straight.
“One thing I know, I cannot say Him nay;
One thing I do, I press towards my Lord;
My God my glory here, from day to day,
And in the glory there my Great Reward.” 
             Streams in the Desert