UPWARD MOMENTUM!
Terry R. Baughman

“So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion” (Philippians 3:15-16 TPT).

Christ’s calling is communal and individual. While each must hear and respond to His invitation, “Come unto me,” His calling is also to unite in community with all His followers to fulfill the common commission, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15 NKJ). His ultimate plan is universal, and is consistent with our organizational motto, the whole Gospel, to the whole world, by the whole church.  

The constant call is to come together for the common cause. Together we are challenged to move forward. United we can accomplish great things. In concert we can proclaim the world-changing, life-challenging message of redemption and revelation. 

Our singular message is Jesus Christ. From the cross of sacrifice to the crown of life, Jesus has prepared a plan of salvation and a path of passion. This is something to which we can devote our lives, and commit ourselves completely. 

Heaven may be our goal, but our passion must be more than selfish containment. The call heavenward is collective. We must be singularly focused, but passionately inclusive. What would heaven be if there were no one else with which to share it? 

Our momentum is inclusive. John F Kennedy popularized the phrase, “a rising tide lifts all boats.” Though he used it to illustrate economic opportunities, we may adapt it to a spiritual application. When we are drawn closer to God, may the spiritual wave spread across the horizon to affect all who are near. May the rain of revival produce an outpouring of grace that will cover the multitudes desperate for hope and restoration. 

Together we will advance the Kingdom, and united we will pursue His purpose. Let us strive as one to attain the victory-prize and together find that singular pathway on which we may travel with enduring passion. This is that upward momentum!


Theme passage:
“Let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion” (Philippians 3:16 TPT).

UPWARD MOMENTUM!
Terry R. Baughman

“I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 TPT).

Our calling is not just an invitation to participate, but an invitation to champion His cause. God does not ask us to settle for mediocrity, neither will He challenge us to the dizzying  heights of impossibilities. Rather, He extends an invitation to great possibilities. His summons includes a roadmap to our ultimate destination, the heavenly goal and a victory-prize! 

Some have suggested that the Christian walk is difficult, painful, or impossible to travel. They seem to forget the character of the One who calls us. That’s not to say that this life is without its challenges, trials, and hurtful experiences. However, Christ’s call is, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:29-30 NIV).

Jesus enables those He calls, and empowers those who believe in Him. His final promise before the ascension was, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV).

His calling is lofty and His plans are extravagant. He only wants to reach the entire world, and impact the lives of every nation. (See Matthew 28:19 & Mark 16:15.) It was a grand vision for twelve disciples who had never been far from home, but Jesus knew His destiny was greater than the Galilee, and further in scope than the land of Israel. What may seem like mission impossible, becomes altogether possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us. 

Paul recognized our ultimate success was dependent on “the anointing of Jesus,” who promised all things are possible through Him. (See Mark 9:23; and 10:27.) With our faith steadfast in Christ and our focus firmly directed towards Him we can run with endurance and press forward with great confidence in our success, that of, “reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize.” 


Theme passage:
“Let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion” (Philippians 3:16 TPT).

UPWARD MOMENTUM!
Terry R. Baughman

“I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead” (Philippians 3:13 TPT).

Our focus is sharpened when we can single out the most important success to which we are drawn. Passion is intensified when we become sincerely focused on a desired outcome. How badly we want something fuels our motivation and sharpens our attention. Our greatest passion should be directed toward, “this one compelling focus!”

Paul recognized that success wasn’t manufactured through his own ability or ingenuity, however what he lacked in strength he overcame with intentional focus. Forsaking the past, he said, “I fasten my heart to the future instead” (Philippians 3:13 TPT). Perhaps that can be the key to greater success in the coming days. Whatever we feel in our hearts can draw us to future fulfillment rather than dwelling on past failures. 

People who are passionate about one main thing often experience greater success than those who are passionate about many things. For example, a person may enjoy collecting rocks and amass a great number of a variety of stones. However, someone else may be passionate about seeking diamonds. Both are collectors of rocks, but one is much more likely to become wealthy from his collection of stones. The difference is that one developed a more defined focus, and became more intentionally specific.

The psalmist wrote, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4 NKJ). David sought for that one thing; his compelling focus was to dwell continually in the house of the Lord. Perhaps this was not so literal, but rather expressing ones deep passion to be in the realm of the spirit by becoming more focused on godly pursuits. 
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At the beginning of the year or at any fresh start it will serve us well to define our focus. What is our most important pursuit and what ignites our passion? When we find that compelling focus we find that one thing upon which we can fasten our hearts and shape our future!


Theme passage:
“Let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion” (Philippians 3:16 TPT).

UPWARD MOMENTUM!
Terry R. Baughman

“I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own” (Philippians 3:16 TPT).

In the early days of a new year many resolutions are made by people concerned with health and fitness. Promotions for diet programs and gym memberships are plentiful. Often people launch an exercise routine involving walking, running or physical workouts. 

It might not have been a new year but Paul made a similar resolution in one of his epistles. Recognizing that he had not yet reached his goals that he was pursuing, he declared, “I run with passion … so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me” (text above). 
Few would claim to have achieved all their goals and accomplished everything they have set out to do. This is a great time of year to acknowledge our successes and reevaluate our progress in other areas where we are still lacking. This may be the time to consider the things for which we are the most passionate and focus on the fast-track toward reaching those goals.

Paul recognized the enablement that comes through Christ’s abundance. We need not fear failure to achieve our greatest goals when we are passionately pursuing the things that Jesus has placed in our purpose. Everything that He has planned for us we can absolutely fulfill. Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, … nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20 NKJ).

Jesus has called each of us with a divine purpose and knows our ultimate potential. Now and always may we fully pursue the “absolute fulness” of His purpose. The writer of Hebrews declared, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NKJ). 


Theme passage:
“Let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion” (Philippians 3:16 TPT).