Philippians 3:13-14 says ‘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 REAIDNG; • John 1:1-18; 1 Chronicles 5-6; Zephaniah 2

Majority of great missionaries had humble and obscure beginnings and struggles with poverty. However the story of Charles T. Studd is an exception. He was born to a very wealthy father, had a privileged upbringing and attended the best schools.
When Charles T. Studd was only sixteen years of age and a student of Eton College, he became outstanding in the game of cricket.
He began to pursue a career in this sport and later became a celebrated cricketer. He mingled with the rich and famous and enjoyed the best things money could buy.

However, by this time, his father who had become born again also sought for his sons to know Christ personally.
Initially, Charles T. Studd resisted the Gospel because he idolized the game of Cricket. But, eventually he gave it all up to follow Christ. He dedicated his life to the service of God and travelled to China to serve as a missionary on 5th February, 1885.
Concerning his new caeer as a missionary, he would later write “I cannot tell you what joy it gave me to bring the first soul to the Lord Jesus Christ. I have tasted almost all the pleasures that this world can give. I do not suppose there is one that I have not experienced, but I can tell you that those pleasures were as nothing compared to the joy that the saving of that one soul gave me.”.

Charles T. Studd later expanded his missionary endeavors to other mission fields including Africa. He gave gladly of his health and his wealth for winning lost souls to Christ.
After many fruitful years of service, as he drew close to the end of his life, C. T. Studd would often look back and rejoice at the choice he made..He was glad that he had spent his life in serving God rather than pursuing fame and wealth through playing cricket.

He died on July 16, 1931 at his mission station in Africa. His funeral was attended by thousands of the native black people whose lives had been impacted through his ministry.
Indeed his life had made a far greater impact in the rugged mission fields as he brought many heathen to the saving knowledge of Christ.

Life is not meant to be spent running after what pleases us, but rather in pursuing what pleases God.
How well we follow God’s purpose, not ours, is what matters most in eternity.

Our focus should be on laying up Heavenly treasures rather than earthly treasures.
Even the wealthiest men today will one day leave all their wealth behind and depart to give account of their lives to God. What sense does it then make for a man to spend his entire life pursuing temporary wealth that he will leave behind, while ignoring God’s call which determines his placement in eternity.

Certainly, we need to get our priorities right.
What matters most in life is what we do for the promotion and expansion of God’s Kingdom.

This should be our focus especially in these end times.
The truth is that time is fast running out on earth.
It’s important that we begin to evaluate our priorities and ensure we are pursuing God’s purpose first.
We can no longer afford to keep wasting time, running after frivolities and things that lack eternal value.
We should leave behind things that do not matter and begin pressing forward, towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus [Philippians 3:13].

Pursuit of earthly treasures and pleasures is temporary, but our investment in eternal treasures will last forever.

Therefore, today let us renew our commitment to set our hearts on the spiritual and eternal things.
Let us invest more in building up a life of great spiritual depth though prayer, study of God’s Word, fellowship with the Spirit and service in God’s Kingdom.

Certainly, as we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, every good thing in life shall be added unto us.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for the grace to always make You top priority in my life. Please help me to maintain a lifestyle of spiritual fervency and tireless pursuit of Your calling upon my life. Certainly as I seek You first, every good thing of life shall be added unto me in Jesus’ Name.

QUOTE:
The treasures of God are never on the shallow end but are always buried in the depths of God’s Word. It takes a personal discovery to get there. – WORDBITE 222.