Aim for the Target
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim;” (1 Corinthians 9:26, NASU)
Aiming to hit the mark is the purpose of anyone seeking to put the arrow where it will count the most. Setting our purpose on the Lord’s will is just as important – wanting to get it right on the bull’s eye in order to make the most of His plan for us. Sometimes we get it right on. Sometimes not.
Though He knows the road ahead of us it falls on us to make the intentional purpose to know it for ourselves. Whether you are 20 or 60, we won’t know for ourselves unless we use the mapping equipment He gives us. These tools are available to us so we can walk down the right road, and be in the center of His plan.
Over the years I have watched how others seek the Lord; what they have taught in their pursuit of Him and how they have discerned His plan for them. Though the goal is not the exact same for everyone, for each has his place to fulfill, the ways given to reach that goal are so. We can reach the target. We can walk in His way.
When seeking the Lord for direction, the tools given to us include knowing His Word, the Bible, hearing His voice through prayer, and hearing the instructions taught by others. Receiving a prophetic word and understanding circumstances are also part of the mix. The Lord wants us to know His will for us. He makes all these avenues available to those who want to know it.
In His Word, accurately passed down through the centuries, He has provided examples of His working in the lives of those who have gone before us.
“Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12, NASU) Common to all through the lives of these were the temptations, trials, and opportunities to see the Lord move, even as they are in our lives. We can learn from them. Reading His Word on a regular basis enables us to understand more because of them. We don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Prayer, communicating with the Lord, gives us the opportunity to speak our heart to Him on matters, and in return hear His heart on these concerns. With His Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Guide, impressions received and obvious responses to our prayers show us He is acting on our behalf. Seeing His hand in daily input encourages us to seek Him often and with thanksgiving in our asking and acknowledging.
Being with other believers, receiving wisdom and encouragement from them in matters we need clarity on, certainly helps guide our steps. Input given through them through teaching, either from their own experiences or having gained insight through the teaching of others, is a vital asset in knowing the Lord’s will for our lives. Someone who has walked the path further and longer carries with them insight that others don’t have as yet. Accepting their life’s wisdom helps us to avoid pitfalls, and get closer to our destination in safety and fulfillment.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14, NKJV)
Being a strong believer in personal, prophetic words as another form of God’s guidance, I have received words spoken into my life which either prepared me for the years ahead, or encouraged me in the midst of trials and fog when I needed a sure word from the Lord. Receiving these words has allowed me to use all aspects of the Holy Spirit’s methods of showing me the way, whether it be through another with the prophetic gift, by a dream, or given through a supernatural act that didn’t “just happen”, but was a sign giving instruction to me. I consider any and all ways of the Lord’s voice coming my way to be received and discerned for its full purpose. He freely gives these to all who are open to receive them.
The Lord wants us to know which way to go and how to get there. Practicing in a consistent way the methods He has given us will make us more certain when He speaks and how to respond to His leading. We must know Him to know His ways and walk in them. Then we can be confident of the direction we are heading.
Our faith will be strengthened and encouraged in our pursuit of Him, as we continue to aim for the target. He will show us the way to go.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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Now Think On This #340 - in the year of our Lord 01.12.18 – “Aim for the Target”, Friday, 1:00 pm
