This One Thing I Do

Coral Ridge Ministries

This One Thing I Do

Philippians 3:13

July 25, 2024

“Brothers, I do not count myself to have attained, but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…”

— Philippians 3:13

Why is it that some people succeed in life while others fail? Is it heredity, environment, luck, circumstances, parentage, money or education? I am sure those factors have contributed toward the success of some, and yet history is replete with examples of individuals who had none of those advantages, and yet they succeeded magnificently. Why?

Since life is fleeting, we should ask ourselves these questions. We should take spiritual inventory and determine what we are going to do and how we might do it better.

What is the secret of success?

Paul says: “This one thing I do,” and he makes it very clear that he has a definite purpose in mind. The first great law of success is to have before your mind that goal toward which you are headed. I am convinced that most people fail at the very beginning. The problem is that we jump on our horses and ride off in ten different directions, do we not? If we could just get things in focus, there is no telling what we might do.

The things that are done for Christ and His kingdom may not lead to worldly success. But to be great and successful as a Christian is to be a servant of all.

Dear Lord, we all may wish to be successful, but give us a servant’s heart. Help us look for the many opportunities to serve that You give us throughout our lives. Help us to focus on the work You have given us and to stay faithful to You come what may…

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN FIND SPIRITUAL SUCCESS.

Don’t Let Worldliness Cloud Your Vision

July 31, 2024

“You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God?” — James 4:4 Friendship with the world can cloud our vision of Christ. Even the old legend of King Arthur teaches that principle. Knights of the Round Table sought after the Holy Grail, which was purported to be the cup from which Christ had drunk at the Last Supper. The fact that they would spend their whole lives seeking after that cup is difficult for us to see. That was an age of much superstition, but nevertheless there are some truths to be learned from the legend. There was only one Sir Galahad. According to the original tale, he kept the eyes of his soul upon that goal. By resisting temptation and by resisting a life of ease, he plodded onward until at last it was revealed to him through a great oak tree. He saw the Grail resplendent in the heavens. He dismounted from his white horse and stood fascinated by the vision, which lighted up his armor. When discussing this ethereal vision later with the King, Arthur wisely noted this vision was for him, but not the others. There is something to say for those who are pure in heart that they shall see God, and one of the consequences of impurity in our lives is that the vision of God grows dim and fades away. Have you wondered why it seems that God is far away, hard to find? Ah, my friends, upon what have your eyes been feasting? Where have your thoughts been dallying? Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. Holy God, give me the strength to turn away from the lure of this world and all the vain things that charm me most. “Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my life” and keep my thoughts heavenward so I will not lose sight of You… BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN KEEP OUR VISION OF HIM.

Being Faithful in the Face of Opposition

July 30, 2024

“...I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” — 1 Kings 19:14 God can use one man or woman of conviction, even while the rest cower in fear. Think of the great Athanasius who lived in the 300s. At the time, the deity of Christ had come under such enormous attack that it seems that the majority, even within the church, were denying the very deity of Christ. Athanasius, this bold defender of the deity of Christ, seemed to be the only one willing to take a stand. He was even banished from the Roman Empire five times, but he came back. It is possible that without his steadfast stance, we might not even know about our divine savior Jesus Christ. If it weren’t for the boldness of Martin Luther, we might not even know about justification by faith. I think about William Carey, the first Protestant missionary who carried the Gospel to India. Carey said, “One thing I can do is plod,” and so with determination he plodded along and he translated the Bible into numerous different languages. One time one of those translations went up in flames, and he had no back up. But what did he do? Quit? No, he plodded with true determination, and he did it all over again. Elijah thought he was the only one standing for God in the days of wicked Ahab, but God had reserved 7,000 who had not bowed the knee to Baal. May the Lord find us faithful, even if we are in the minority. Almighty Father, thank You for raising up men and women through the centuries who have stood contra mundum. Raise up people in our time that will stand strong and show the world Your truth… BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN STAND AGAINST THE WORLD.

Cultivating Deep Roots?

July 29, 2024

“…in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season…” — Psalm 1:2-3 The godly man is described in Psalm 1 as one who loves the Word of the Lord and ruminates on it in the morning and in the evening. By being so grounded in the Scriptures, he becomes like a tree with deep roots. But many people do not have deep roots, and so they hardly grow. The Japanese have a way of taking what ordinarily are large trees and reducing them into tiny little trees and the way they do that is, first of all, cutting off the tap root. Those trees then are only able to use the surface roots, the smaller surface roots of the plant; and so the tree just doesn’t grow very much. And that is the way it is with most people in this world. Their tap root does not go down deep into the Word of God, and so all they have for nourishment are those surface roots that are sucking up the things of this world. Consequently their spiritual growth is badly stunted and they will never show spiritual depth. They will never persevere unto the end and be saved. They will never be like Martin Luther, who could stand before the Diet of Worms and say, “Here I stand, I can do no other, God help me.” Therefore, he would not recant anything. Spending quality time in the meditation of the Bible is the key to true spiritual depth. Lord of the Vineyard, thank You for cultivating and fertilizing and digging around me. Let my roots grow deep past the top soil and down to the nourishing rich soil of Your Word… BY GOD’S STRENGTH, OUR ROOTS CAN GROW STRONG.