Faith

Pressing Toward the Mark

/ Terrence Burton / Leave a comment

Spiritual growth is rarely, if ever accidental. Scripture presents it as a deliberate pursuit—steady, focused, and forward-looking. The Christian life is not described as standing still, but as moving toward something God has already set ahead.

Paul writes with striking clarity: “This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13 KJV). His language is active and intentional. The past—whether success or failure—is not allowed to govern the present. Growth requires release. To press forward means to refuse to be anchored by what God has already addressed or accomplished. Paul’s focus is singular, not scattered.

He continues, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 KJV). The “mark” is direction, not destination. It represents alignment with God’s calling rather than personal comfort. The prize is not earthly recognition but participation in God’s purpose. This pursuit is echoed elsewhere when Paul urges believers to “run, that ye may obtain” (1 Corinthians 9:24 KJV). Effort does not replace grace—it responds to it.

Hebrews uses similar imagery, calling believers to “run with patience the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 KJV). The race is set—assigned by God, not chosen at random. Patience is required because progress is often slower than expectation. The passage also reminds us to lay aside weights, not only sins. Anything that slows forward motion, even if lawful, can hinder growth.

Pressing forward is sustained by hope. Paul tells the Romans that “hope maketh not ashamed” (Romans 5:5 KJV). Hope provides endurance, especially when the finish line feels distant. It keeps the believer oriented toward what God is doing, not merely what is happening. Forward movement, in Scripture, is rarely dramatic—but it is always faithful.

To press toward the mark is to live with direction, discipline, and expectation. It is not driven by perfection, but by perseverance.

Takeaway: Spiritual maturity grows when the heart stays focused on where God is leading, not where it has been.

Lessons from a Quiet but Courageous Leader

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Some figures in Scripture speak loudly without many recorded words. Caleb is one of them—a man whose courage didn’t flare up once but remained steady over decades. His life reminds us that faithfulness isn’t a moment; it’s a long, unwavering posture of the heart.

Caleb first stands out in Numbers when he and Joshua return from scouting the land. While others focused on obstacles, Caleb “stilled the people before Moses” and declared that the Lord would give them victory (Numbers 13:30). His confidence didn’t come from ignoring the giants—it came from remembering the promise. The contrast reveals a deep truth: faith sees the same facts as fear, but draws different conclusions.

Decades later, his testimony remained the same. When the land was finally ready to be divided, Caleb reminded Joshua of the promise: “Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God” (Joshua 14:8). That phrase—wholly followed the Lord—is repeated about him multiple times. It marks a life not shaped by moments of passion but by consistent obedience.

Even at eighty-five, Caleb’s zeal had not dimmed. He said, “As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me” (Joshua 14:11). This wasn’t physical bravado; it was spiritual endurance. His request was bold: “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:12). The very place others feared, he embraced. Caleb teaches that faith doesn’t retire—it keeps stepping forward.

His story closes with God honoring what He began: Caleb received Hebron as an inheritance, a land that once intimidated the nation. His steady trust transformed a place of fear into a place of blessing. The long arc of Caleb’s life shows what happens when a person holds tightly to God’s word and refuses to let circumstances rewrite conviction.

Takeaway: Caleb’s life shows that steadfast faith isn’t loud—it’s consistent, courageous, and anchored in God’s promises.

— Terrence Burton

Bold Trust

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When Scripture calls believers to trust in the Lord, it isn’t asking for blind optimism—it’s inviting a confidence rooted in God’s proven character. Trust grows strongest when circumstances give us no earthly reason to lean on ourselves.

Proverbs reminds us that trust is not a sidebar virtue—it is central to a life shaped by God. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart” (Proverbs 3:5–6, KJV) isn’t merely advice; it is a posture of surrender. David echoed this confidence repeatedly, declaring that God is his “strength and shield” (Psalm 28:7). When our steps feel uncertain, God’s Word directs us back to His reliability rather than our own understanding. Trust becomes a daily choice, especially when the path ahead is unclear.

Throughout Scripture, trust shows up as action, not emotion. Abraham stepped out without knowing where he was going (Hebrews 11:8). The early church prayed under persecution with a confidence anchored in God’s sovereignty (Acts 4:29–31). Trust does not mean the absence of fear; it means entrusting our fear to the One who governs all things. Turning our concerns toward Him strengthens the neural pathway of faith, reshaping how we respond to challenges.

One of the most powerful expressions of biblical trust appears in Isaiah 26:3, where God promises perfect peace to the mind that trusts Him. This peace is not passive. It is a steady, resilient calm built on who God is—faithful, unchanging, and attentive to His people. When believers cling to that truth, trust becomes more than a virtue; it becomes a refuge.

Takeaway: Trust matures when we choose God’s stability over our own uncertainty.

-Terrence Burton

When the Lord Directs Your Path

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When Scripture speaks of God’s guidance, it does not describe a loud command but a steady, faithful leading. His direction is often quiet, yet unmistakable to the heart that listens.

The psalmist declares, “He leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2, KJV), reminding us that divine direction begins with divine peace. God does not rush His people; He steadies them. The prophet Isaiah echoes this assurance: “Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Guidance is not merely about where to go but about whom we follow.

David also writes, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” (Psalm 37:23). God’s ordering is not mechanical; it is relational. It forms a neural pathway of trust as we learn to walk with Him daily. The early church lived this truth when the Spirit redirected Paul away from Asia and toward Macedonia (Acts 16:6–10). Even closed doors are part of His leading.

For those seeking the will of God today, Scripture gives a clear starting point: “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:6). Guidance is not primarily about signs—it is about submission. When we yield our plans, desires, and timing, God aligns our steps with His purpose.

Takeaway: God guides those who walk with Him, one obedient step at a time.

— Terrence Burton

Resting in the God Who Holds All Things

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Even on days designed for rest, the mind can feel anything but still. Psalm 46 invites us into a deeper quiet—one anchored not in circumstances but in God’s unshakable presence. Its words steady the heart and remind us that worship often begins with surrender.

Psalm 46 opens with a bold declaration: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1). The psalmist paints a world in turmoil—mountains shaking, waters roaring—yet insists that the people of God need not fear. Rest becomes possible not because life is calm, but because God remains immovable. This truth echoes the Lord’s comfort in the Gospels: “Let not your heart be troubled…” (John 14:1). Worship is rooted in the confidence that He holds the world when we cannot.

Midway through the psalm, the imagery shifts to a river bringing gladness to the city of God (Psalm 46:4). This quiet, life-giving picture contrasts the chaos surrounding it. God’s presence becomes the steady source of renewal—much like the peace Jesus offered when He said, “Come unto me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). Rest is more than a pause in activity; it is the soul restored by the nearness of God.

The psalm closes with a command that forms the heart of worship: “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Stillness is not silence alone—it is trust. It is choosing to acknowledge His sovereignty above our striving. As the Lord reigns, His people can breathe. The One who “maketh wars to cease” is fully capable of calming the inner storms as well.

Takeaway: True rest begins when we stop fighting to control the world and instead acknowledge the God who already does.

-Terrence Burton