Philippians 3:13-14 ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’
- DAILY READING – Hebrews 12; Exodus 16:1-17:16; Proverbs 7:6-27
The Moravian brethren were a group of firebrand believers who lived in Germany in the 18th century. Among these brethren were two young men named Johann Leonhard Dober and David Nitschmann, who burned with zeal for the Gospel. In 1732, these two young Moravian Brethren, felt called to minister to the African slaves on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix in the West Indies. But when they proposed to travel to these slave islands and preach among the slaves, they were stopped from doing so by the German government. These missionaries even offered to become slaves themselves, if it was the only way to reach the African slaves and preach to them. But they were still refused to do so. Still seeking passage to the slave islands, they traveled to Denmark, but there also, their plan met with strong opposition. However after some difficulty, the missionaries finally found support from the Danish Queen and her court. And although the Danish West Indian Company refused to grant them passage, a ship was eventually procured. Leaving Copenhagen on Oct 8, 1732, they arrived the slave island of St. Thomas two months later on December 13. While in the St. Thomas, they lived frugally and preached to the slaves. Their mission was successful and they were able to win souls and establish Christian fellowship among the slaves. After two years they both returned to Germany, but other Moravian missionaries took their place and continued the work for fifty years afterward, establishing churches on St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John’s, Jamaica, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Kitts. These Moravian missionaries baptized 13,000 converts before any other missionaries arrived on the scene.
Philippians 3:13-14 says ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, .. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Despite the oppositions they faced, these two Monrovian brethren pressed forward till they attained their goals. Truly, when we love God we must be willing to pay the price of obeying Him at all costs. People may reject us, ridicule us, and despise us for our faith. Yet, seeking God’s will has to be our first priority. And you cannot make God first, and become the last. It is the place of God in your heart that will determine your placing upon the earth. If you will let Him get the throne of your heart, then He will secure a throne for you on the earth.
Seeking to do God’s will must be our priority. And in our quest, we must be willing to pay the price of persistence and resilience. Don’t be intimidated by the challenges that try to resist you when you are following God’s will. Often times, giants are the first sign that you are on the road to your Canaan. But in spite of the oppositions, keep pressing forward. never give up. Persist in prayer, be filled with The Word, remain full of praise. Do not be weary for there is a coming a due season for your reaping.
Progress in life calls for a pressing, for every prize demands a press. God has great things in store for us, but we must be willing to press in to where they are. There are mighty manifestations of power and glory, there are miracles signs and wonders. But you must pay the price of persistence, if you are to see the glory manifested. Pressing forward may be hard, but that’s what makes you stronger. You may get knocked down, but you have to keep getting back up and going forward. Do not let bad breaks, rejections and betrayal cause you to be bitter and become grounded. Rather, trust God to turn your mourning into dancing and give you beauty for ashes. And if you keep pressing forward, one day you will look back and see how each setback played into God’s master plan for your life. Truly, when you put your trust in God, you shall never be ashamed, for He will cause all things to work out together for your good.
PRAYER: Father Please grant me the needed strength to keep pressing forward no matter how hard the journey may seem sometimes. Thank You Lord, for giving me the boldness and tenacity to move forward and upward with You in Jesus name.
quote : To get into the next level of your life, God will always give a specific instruction. – WORDBITE 222.