Stretching Toward the Prize

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

Reflection
Stretching in the natural increases flexibility, and spiritually, it strengthens our walk. God stretches us when He asks us to step beyond our comfort zones, forgive offenses, or surrender desires. Though stretching can feel uncomfortable, it leads us into deeper trust and reliance on Him. Each step in obedience shapes us more into the image of Christ, pressing us toward His upward call.

Application
  • Embrace spiritual stretching as growth.
  • Press forward instead of looking back.
  • Trust God’s purpose in every challenge.

Connection
Thank You, Lord, for stretching me beyond my limits. Help me press toward the prize of Your calling and to grow in faith as I obey You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

No Comments


Recent

Archive

 2025

Categories

Tags

#faith #hearing God #worship 1 corinthians Abiding Baptism Body Christmas ChristsPower Connection Consecration Deliverance Determination Discernment DivinePurpose EternalPurpose FaithfulCare FaithinChrist Faith Forgiveness Glorify God God's Care God's plan God's provision God's temple God's timing God\'s plan God\'s provision God\'s temple God\'s timing God\\\'s provision God\\\'s timing GodsWork Godsword God Goodness and mercy Guidance Hearing God HeavenlyFocusly Hoiy Spirit Holiness Holy Living Holy Spirit HolySpirit. HolySpirit Holy Hosanna Impossible Infilling Jesus' yoke Jesus\' yoke Jesus\\\' yoke JesusisTheWay Jesus Joy Kingdom King Led by the Spirit Letting go Life Maturity Miracles Morning Devotion Nehemiah New Year Overflow Pentecost Power Protection Provision Release Revival Salvation Soul Spiritual Flow Spiritual Growth SpiritualFruit SpiritualPerspective Spiritual Spirit Steadfastfaith Strength Surrender TrustGod Truth VictoryinChrist Victory Word of God WordofGod Word abideinChrist abide able acceptance adoption agreement anger anointing anxiety armor authority battle believe belonging birth bitterness blessing boldness born again boundaries breakthrough brokeness burdens caae calling care casting cares challenges change character cheer choices christ closeness comfort commitment communion compassion condemnation confessions confession confidence conflict conquerors contentment courage cross cursing daily actions darkness death deception decisions defeat depression despair destiny devotional directions disappointment discerning discipleship discouragement discouragment distractions divine identity divine purpose doors doubts drjoelle dwelling easter empowerment encouragement endurance enouragement eternal eternity evil expectation failure faith in God faithfulness faithful faithinGod familiarity fasting father favor fearless fear fellowship fire focusontheLord focus food forever foundation freedom fruitfulness fruit fulfillment future gentleness giants glorytoglory glory goodness grace gratitude gratitute greatness grief growth grow guilt habitation hand harvest healing hearingGod hearing heart heaven heir help honor hope humility hunger identity immovable increase insecurity intercession intimacy journaling kindness knowledge laboroflove legacy light longingforGod loveGod love mark mercy mighty mind ministry multiplication newness newwine new no more worries obedience offenses one opportunities outreach overcomers overcomer overcoming patienceofhope patience payer peace perserverance perseverance perspective postioninChrist power of God powerofGod praises praise prayers prayer preparation presence pressing through pressthrough pressure pride priority promises promise prosperity provider provisions purity purposes purpose pursuit reachforward redeemer redemption refuge rejection rejoicing remembrance renewal renewing the Mind resentment resist restinHim restoration rest resurrection revelation riches righteousness rigtheousness rock romans rooted sacrifice safety savior seed seeking self esteem separation service sharing shepherd shift soundmind speaking spirit empowerment spiritual clarity spiritual guidance spiritual journey spiritual sight spiritualsight spiritualwar standbyfaith standing by faith standing stand stillness struggles surrenderer surrenter sword teacher temple temptations temptation testimony thanksgiving thirstingforGod thoughts timing tongue training transformation transition treasures treasure trials tribulation trusting God trustingGod trust unbelief unconditional understanding unity value victorious victoryk victotry vine vision vivctory voices waiting walking warfare weakness weariness will winners wisdom words workoffaith worry worship