file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941103.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                 Thurs., November 3, 1994
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READ:  Phillipians 3:7-14

             "THE HIGHEST GOAL"

   "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our
    Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

             - 2 Peter 3:18

What are you living for in your few fleeting years here
on this earth?  Anything other than fame, wealth, or
influence?

When Thomas Naylor was teaching business management at
Duke University, he asked his students to draft a
personal strategic plan.  He reports that "with few
exceptions, what they wanted fell into three categories:
money, power, and things -- very big things, including
vacation homes, expensive foreign automobiles, yachts,
and even airplanes."  This was their request of the
faculty:  "Teach me how to be a money-making machine."

That's not exactly an exalted ambition!  No thought
of humanitarian service, and no thought of spiritual
values!  Yet, what those students wanted was what many
people want -- maybe what MOST people want.

The apostle Paul's overriding ambition was totally
different.  His consuming desire was to know Jesus
and become increasingly conformed to His holy example
(Phil. 3:10).  He wanted to serve Him by proclaiming
the life-changing good news of God's grace.

What is our highest goal?  Do we want to be a money-
making machine, which can never buy lasting happiness?
Or do we want to become more like Jesus?

    -- Vernon C. Grounds

 His Spirit fill my hungering soul,
 His power all my life control;
 My deepest prayer, my highest goal,
 That I may be like Jesus.

    -- Chisholm

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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A wise person sets his earthly goals
  on heavenly gains.

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  Luke 22-24

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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