Living in Increase (Part 3) - Increase in PurposeSample

Knowing Your Ending

While all our journeys look different, the end goal is the same. As believers, we are all on our way to heaven, and our biggest goal should be to bring as many people as possible with us!

In our verses for today, Paul is speaking to the Philippian church. He is telling them that, despite all that he’s accomplished, he is looking forward to even more. While Paul planted churches, trained ministry leaders, wrote most of the New Testament, and preached messages that won thousands of people to Christ, he still seems unsatisfied with all he’s done. On the contrary, he “forgets the past” and “looks forward to what lies ahead, pressing on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize” (Philippians 3:13). Despite all the great things he did for God on earth, Paul is focused on heaven.

As we close out this week on knowing our journeys, I encourage you to look forward with hope and expectation to heaven. Sure, money, possessions, positions, relationships, etc., can be beautiful benefits of this life. However, nothing compares to heaven.

Celebrate your accomplishments. Rejoice that God has taken you on a journey and has allowed you to impact other people’s lives. Use your gifts as best you can. At the end of the day, however, fame, riches, and power are not the goal. In everything we do, we must look forward with the hope of heaven and invite others to be a part of the journey God has created for us.

Emily N. Green

Action Step: Take five minutes to praise God for the hope of heaven! Pray, worship, or read Bible verses that show the promises of heaven.