RUN TOWARDS THE MARK
...this one thing I do, forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus
(Philippians 3:13-14).
When you study the life of the Apostle Paul,
you’d notice an unmistakable singularity and
definitiveness in the pursuit of His divine purpose. His focus
was undivided. He wasn’t trying to pursue many conflicting
directions at once. His eyes were fixed on the mark, on the
prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
This was also the mindset of the Lord Jesus. Hebrews
12:2 tells us that for the joy set before Him, He endured
the Cross and despised the shame. He had His eyes on
the prize. In the midst of agony, rejection, humiliation, and
suffering, He remained focused on the glorious outcome.
He saw beyond the pain and fixed His gaze on the fulfilment
of God’s eternal purpose. And because He stayed focused,
He won.
That’s the mentality you must have in your walk with the
Lord. Don’t allow the distractions of life, worldly ambitions,
pressures, disappointments, or temporary pursuits to shift
your focus away from Christ and His calling upon your life.
Keep your eyes straight ahead.
14
Many are busy and active, yet they’re running in the
wrong direction. They're like an athlete running swiftly in
a sprint race but away from the finish line. Speed alone
doesn’t guarantee victory. It’s not enough to run; you must
run toward the mark. You must know the purpose, the
vision, and the calling that God has set before you.
No matter your profession, business, or responsibilities
in life, Christ must remain your focus. He must be the centre
of your aspirations, decisions, pursuits, and ambitions.
When your heart is fixed on Him, every other aspect of
your life finds proper alignment and meaning.
Therefore, stay focused on the Lord and on the eternal
purpose He has given you. Press toward the mark with
determination, courage, and unwavering faith. There’s a
prize to win, and as you keep your eyes on Him and remain
steadfast in His Word, you’ll fulfil your calling gloriously
and triumphantly. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for setting before me a glorious
calling and heavenly purpose. My eyes are fixed on
you, and my heart is steadfast on your perfect will for
my life. I press toward the mark with courage, faith, and
determination, fulfilling my calling victoriously, in Jesus’
Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Corinthians 3:7-4:1-18 & Proverbs 16-17
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 & Jeremiah 23

RUN TOWARDS THE MARK

... This One Thing I Do, Forgetting Those Things Which Are Behind, And Reaching Forth Unto Those Things Which Are Before, I Press Toward The Mark For The Prize Of The High Calling Of God In Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV).


When you study the life of the Apostle Paul, you’d notice an unmistakable singularity and definitiveness in the pursuit of His divine purpose. His focus was undivided. He wasn’t trying to pursue many conflicting directions at once. His eyes were fixed on the mark, on the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

This was also the mindset of the Lord Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that for the joy set before Him, He endured the Cross and despised the shame. He had His eyes on the prize. In the midst of agony, rejection, humiliation, and suffering, He remained focused on the glorious outcome. He saw beyond the pain and fixed His gaze on the fulfilment of God’s eternal purpose. And because He stayed focused, He won.

That’s the mentality you must have in your walk with the Lord. Don’t allow the distractions of life, worldly ambitions, pressures, disappointments, or temporary pursuits to shift your focus away from Christ and His calling upon your life. Keep your eyes straight ahead.

Many are busy and active, yet they’re running in the wrong direction. They're like an athlete running swiftly in a sprint race but away from the finish line. Speed alone doesn’t guarantee victory. It’s not enough to run; you must run toward the mark. You must know the purpose, the vision, and the calling that God has set before you.

No matter your profession, business, or responsibilities in life, Christ must remain your focus. He must be the centre of your aspirations, decisions, pursuits, and ambitions. When your heart is fixed on Him, every other aspect of your life finds proper alignment and meaning.

Therefore, stay focused on the Lord and on the eternal purpose He has given you. Press toward the mark with determination, courage, and unwavering faith. There’s a prize to win, and as you keep your eyes on Him and remain steadfast in His Word, you’ll fulfil your calling gloriously and triumphantly. Hallelujah!


FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Looking Unto Jesus The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith; Who For The Joy That Was Set Before Him Endured The Cross, Despising The Shame, And Is Set Down At The Right Hand Of The Throne Of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV Know Ye Not That They Which Run In A Race Run All, But One Receiveth The Prize? So Run, That Ye May Obtain. And Every Man That Striveth For The Mastery Is Temperate In All Things. Now They Do It To Obtain A Corruptible Crown; But We An Incorruptible. I Therefore So Run, Not As Uncertainly; So Fight I, Not As One That Beateth The Air: But I Keep Under My Body, And Bring It Into Subjection: Lest That By Any Means, When I Have Preached To Others, I Myself Should Be A Castaway.

In this episode of Growth Academy, Coach Growth explores how to maintain a strong relationship with God while navigating work, responsibilities, relationships, social media, and everyday distractions.

Discover practical ways to build a consistent spiritual routine, reduce unnecessary noise, prioritize God, and live out your faith in your everyday responsibilities.

Key Takeaway:
You don't have to wait for life to become less busy before you grow spiritually. You can grow with God right where you are.

Continue your growth journey:
Explore more resources, connect with Growth Academy, and access all our content through:

(https://linktr.ee/coachgrowth)

🏽 Helping grow the spirit, soul, and body.
Growth Academy with Coach Growth

#GrowthAcademy #CoachGrowth #SpiritualGrowth #GrowingWithGod #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Prayer #Bible #Purpose #Discipline 🏽 #ChristianLiving #SpiritualDiscipline #Mindset #SpiritSoulBody #KingdomGrowth #GrowthJourney

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fySEbWB2X1I2WpIXSFgH0

MAKE HIM YOUR FOCUS
Looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith.... (Hebrews 12:2).
One of the most important disciplines in the
Christian life is maintaining your focus on the
Lord Jesus Christ. The world is filled with distractions,
pressures, opinions, and circumstances designed to shift
your attention away from Him and from His Word. But the
Spirit, through the Scriptures, admonishes us to remain
steadfast and undistracted.
The Passion Translation of 2 Timothy 2:8 says, “…
make Jesus, the Anointed One, your focus in life and
ministry….” Did you notice that? The Lord isn’t to be part
of your focus but your entire focus. Your thoughts, pursuits,
decisions, energies, and aspirations must all be centred
on Him and His divine purpose for your life.
Hebrews 12:2 (TPT) shows us the example of the
Lord’s own focus: “...His example is this: Because his
heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you
would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and
conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the
right hand of the throne of God.” Blessed thought! In the
midst of pain, humiliation, rejection and shame, He looked
beyond the suffering and fixed His gaze on the glorious
outcome. He saw the harvest—you!
12
He saw the glory that would come through His
obedience and He stayed focused until He fulfilled His
mission completely. This is the mindset you must have.
Refuse to be swayed by challenges, emotions, pressures,
or temporary setbacks in expressing your love for the Lord.
Keep your attention on Him and on the things He’s called
you to do.
Focus gives strength, direction, and endurance. When
your eyes are fixed on the Lord and your heart anchored
on His Word, you’ll walk in victory consistently. That’s the
instruction God gave to Joshua: “Do not let this Book of
the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night.... Then you will be prosperous and successful”
(Joshua 1:8 NIV).
Notice the connection between focus and success.
Success in God’s Kingdom is not accidental. It comes from
staying on the Word, remaining focused on the Lord, and
living in His Word and His purpose for your life. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for your Word that keeps me
steadfast, focused and established in your perfect will.
My gaze is fixed on you, and my heart is anchored in
your truth. I refuse distractions and remain unwavering
in the path you’ve ordained for me. I walk in continual
victory, prosperity and success, as I live according to
your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Hebrews 12:2 AMPC; Joshua 1:8 AMPC
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Corinthians 2:5-3:1-6 & Proverbs 14-15
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Thessalonians 4:9-18 & Jeremiah 22

The Advent Truth
The mindset behind the death decree of Revelation 13 is already here.

For years, Seventh-day Adventists have been mocked for teaching that religious liberty will eventually collapse, church and state will unite, worship will become a matter of civil law, and those who refuse the coming counterfeit sabbath will ultimately face a death decree.

Yet listen to what some Christian nationalists are openly discussing.

Joel Webbon has advocated a theonomic vision of civil government, and a clip circulating from him discusses the death penalty in connection with Sabbath violation.

Think carefully about what that means.

I am NOT saying Joel Webbon is advocating the Adventist-prophesied Sunday law. Nor am I claiming that his comments themselves fulfill Revelation 13.

The argument is already being made within professed Christianity that civil government should enforce religious law—and that certain violations of God’s law can legitimately deserve death.

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast… and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” — Revelation 13:15

Adventists have never taught that America suddenly wakes up one morning and randomly decides to execute Sabbathkeepers. Revelation describes a progression. Religious conviction gains political power. Religious observance becomes civil legislation. Economic coercion follows (Revelation 13:16–17). Finally comes the death decree.

And the final issue won’t be enforcing God’s seventh-day Sabbath. Prophecy points to a counterfeit system of worship in which Sunday sacredness is enforced by civil authority, while those who remain faithful to God’s commandments refuse to comply.

When Christians become comfortable saying, “The government should enforce God’s religious requirements, even unto death,” the philosophical foundation for persecution has already been laid.

The question is whether the mindset capable of producing it exists today.

the answer is staring us in the face.

“And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him…” — Revelation 13:8

MAKE HIM YOUR FOCUS

Looking Unto Jesus The Author And Finisher Of Our Faith.... (Hebrews 12:2 KJV).


One of the most important disciplines in the Christian life is maintaining your focus on the Lord Jesus Christ. The world is filled with distractions, pressures, opinions, and circumstances designed to shift your attention away from Him and from His Word. But the Spirit, through the Scriptures, admonishes us to remain steadfast and undistracted.

The Passion Translation of 2 Timothy 2:8 says, “…make Jesus, the Anointed One, your focus in life and ministry….” Did you notice that? The Lord isn’t to be part of your focus but your entire focus. Your thoughts, pursuits, decisions, energies, and aspirations must all be centred on Him and His divine purpose for your life.

Hebrews 12:2 (TPT) shows us the example of the Lord’s own focus: “...His example is this: Because his heart was focused on the joy of knowing that you would be his, he endured the agony of the cross and conquered its humiliation, and now sits exalted at the right hand of the throne of God.” Blessed thought! In the midst of pain, humiliation, rejection and shame, He looked beyond the suffering and fixed His gaze on the glorious outcome. He saw the harvest—you!

He saw the glory that would come through His obedience and He stayed focused until He fulfilled His mission completely. This is the mindset you must have. Refuse to be swayed by challenges, emotions, pressures, or temporary setbacks in expressing your love for the Lord. Keep your attention on Him and on the things He’s called you to do.

Focus gives strength, direction, and endurance. When your eyes are fixed on the Lord and your heart anchored on His Word, you’ll walk in victory consistently. That’s the instruction God gave to Joshua: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night.... Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8 NIV).

Notice the connection between focus and success. Success in God’s Kingdom is not accidental. It comes from staying on the Word, remaining focused on the Lord, and living in His Word and His purpose for your life. Hallelujah!


FURTHER STUDY

Hebrews 12:2 AMPC
Looking Away [From All That Will Distract] To Jesus, Who Is The Leader And The Source Of Our Faith [Giving The First Incentive for our Belief] And Is Also It’s Finisher [Bringing It To Maturity And Perfections]. He, For The Joy [Of Obtaining The Prize] That Was Set Before Him, Endured The Cross, Despising And Ignoring The Shane, And Is Now Seated At The Right Hand Of The Throne Of God.

Joshua 1:8 AMPC
This Book Of The Law Shall Not Depart Out Of Your Mouth, But You Shall Meditate On It Day And Night, That You May Observe And Do According To All That is written In It. For Then You Shall Make Your Way Prosperous, And Then You Shall Deal Wisely And Have Good Success.

Lifeline Today
Friday September 4
Mind Setting
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

It is where the mind is set that one’s life will go. It is the state of your mind that will determine the kind of life you will live. Your worth, relevance, and placement are by-products of your mind-set. A negative mind will never produce a positive life and a mind that is fearful can never live victoriously. A timid mind cannot produce triumphant life. It is what you accommodate in your mind that will be actualized in your life.

Whatever you allow to happen in your mind will happen in time. Whatever you make room for in your mind, will give you your space in your world. Setting your mind is about pondering, reflecting or meditating on the promise of God and your goals. When you pray, one thing you must come out with is a new dream, a new vision, and a new mindset. This is your day.

Wisdom Fountain: “You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I pray for help to reset my mind. Open the yes of my heart and show me the right path for my life. Give me wisdom to make good choices. Fill me with strength to walk away from what hurts me and to embrace what helps me grow. Renew my thoughts every day and let Your light guide my steps so I can live with purpose and joy in Jesus’ name.

Guidelines for living.
September 2nd, 2026

How To Be Content In A Materialistic World

Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." Luke 12:15

"It began as a simple, or simply terrifying, pledge taken by a small group of friends feeling overwhelmed by all the things in their lives," so writes Elizabeth Weise. She explained, "Over a potluck dinner two years ago, they made a pact: Buy nothing new except food, medicine and toiletries for six months."[1] Then a major newspaper did a feature on the unique experiment; the idea exploded. In a matter of a few weeks more than 700 people from countries as diverse as Japan, the Philippines, and Brazil, have put their names on an internet list to do the same thing.

"The original group named itself the Compact after the Mayflower Compact, a civil agreement that bound the Pilgrims to a life of higher purpose when they landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620."[2] The group that got together over a potluck dinner and decided that enough is enough and committed to the experiment weren't necessarily trying to make a statement about consumerism, or how to save the world, or do something about global warming. But they acknowledged they were fed up with the pressure to have the latest and the most expensive gadgets, measuring the success in their lives by the junk piled in their garage and the newest electronic stuff or fashion.

They just wanted to simplify their lives. A French teacher, one of the original compact signers, said, "It saved us time because there was less time spent shopping. We still buy groceries and go to the drugstore, but we don't go to Target on a Saturday-which was a ritual before, just to see what the sales were."

Vast numbers of people, the world over, registered disagreement with the blatant commercialism that confronts us every time you pick up a newspaper, turn on your television set, or pick up a magazine.

Simplifying their lives meant different things to those who took the pledge, but they were all striving to accomplish the same thing. For some it meant buying the clothing they needed at a second hand or thrift store, having shoes repaired instead of trashing them in favor of a new pair, planting a garden, or using washable hand towels instead of buying paper towels. It was truly an amazing life-changing endeavor that was a choice, not a situation forced upon them by merely a lack of resources.

Some caught themselves buying new sunglasses or something they couldn't find second-hand. Most, though, have adapted to a lifestyle of general simplicity, one that they feel is more genuine and authentic, to say nothing of it being a great deal more practical.

For Christians, a lifestyle of simplicity has always been part of authentic faith. Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15). He spoke eloquently about how the God who sees the sparrow fall from the sky will meet your needs. He set the example, living out a lifestyle of simplicity. He never owned property. His only possession was a seamless garment or robe that Romans cast lots for at His death, but even in His death, He borrowed another man's grave,

The philosophy and lifestyle was part and parcel of the mindset of the early church, they lived out the belief that more is not better. Many, in fact, gave away their possessions, vowing to serve God. In the U.S., Quakers and Shakers adopted the same kind of simple lifestyle: sharing resources, helping each other, living as close to the earth as possible.

The path less traveled by includes learning to say no to commercialism, making do with what you have, and sharing with others.

Resource Reading: Proverbs 13:7-17

[1] Elizabeth Weise, "USATODAY, March 23, 2006, March 26, 2006, D-1.

Self-control is one of the foundations of true growth. You will face emotions, desires, pressure, and temptation, but you don't have to let them control your decisions.

In this episode of Growth Academy, we explore how self-control strengthens your spirit, soul, and body, helping you respond with wisdom, choose discipline over impulse, and stay focused on what truly matters.

In this episode, you'll learn: • Why self-control is a form of inner strength
• How to manage emotions instead of being controlled by them
• Why your desires should not dictate your decisions
• How self-control connects the spirit, soul, and body
• Practical ways to develop greater discipline every day

Continue your growth journey:
Explore more resources, connect with us, and access all our platforms through:

[Coach Growth ](https://linktr.ee/coachgrowth)

Share this episode with someone who needs to strengthen their self-control.

Stay aligned. Stay consistent. Stay growing.

#GrowthAcademy #CoachGrowth #SelfControl #Discipline 🏽#PersonalGrowth #SpiritualGrowth #Mindset #Purpose #StayGrowing

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wYvY8BUZvTIe2zBkRsqPK

SERMON: WAKE UP AND CHOOSE HOLINESS — OR MISS ETERNAL LIFE

Text: Hebrews 12:14 — "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord."
Text 2: Matthew 7:21 — "Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father."

INTRODUCTION:

Church, we love to say "I am saved, I believe." True, we are saved by grace through faith Ephesians 2:8.

But Bible says believe without obedience, without living pure life, earns no eternal life.

James 2:17,26 — Faith without works is dead. Dead faith cannot save.

This is a warning to church that has got GREEN 7 vision on the wall — calling for spiritual revival, repentance, awakening, rebirth. Get prepared now or you will miss eternal life and be cast in eternal fire. For eternal life God gives it to righteous only.

PART 1: BELIEVING ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH — OBEDIENCE IS PROOF

Romans 6:16 — "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?"

You say you believe, but you still obey jealousy, gossiping, quarreling, fornication, lies — you are still slave to sin leading to death.

Luke 6:46 — Jesus says "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord, and do not do things which I say?"

1 John 2:3-4 — "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says I know Him and does not keep His commandments is a liar, and truth is not in him."

Titus 1:16 — They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him.

Many in church are saved but living flesh mindset — that is compromise of truth.

PART 2: WHAT IS COMPROMISE OF TRUTH? — THE FLESH MINDSET

You must wake up and choose holiness above all else — above prosperity gospel, above money, above fame.

Compromise = Choosing prosperity gospel over holiness. Choosing flesh mindset.

Galatians 5:19-21 — "Now works of flesh are evident: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries... those who practice such things will not inherit kingdom of God."

Look: Jealous, gossiping, quarreling = will NOT inherit kingdom. That is what you wrote.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 — Neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners will inherit kingdom.

2 Timothy 3:1-5 — In last days men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient — having form of godliness but denying its power.

Church, if you still live like this, your salvation is not finished.

PART 3: THOUGH YOU ARE SAVED, YOU MUST RUN A CLEAN RACE TO END

Philippians 2:12 — "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."

Hebrews 12:1 — "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, laying aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us."

2 Timothy 4:7-8 — Paul says "I have fought good fight, I have finished race, I have kept faith. Finally there is laid up for me crown of righteousness, which Lord, righteous Judge, will give to me."

Not starting race — finishing clean race.

1 Corinthians 9:27 — Paul says "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified."

Matthew 24:13 — "He who endures to end shall be saved."

Your final salvation is at end, not at beginning. 1 Peter 1:9 — receiving end of your faith — salvation of your souls.

PART 4: GREEN 7 VISION ON WALL — CALL FOR REVIVAL, REPENTANCE, AWAKENING, REBIRTH

You asked what is Green 7 on wall. This is what God showed me, Reagan, His servant witness.

Proverbs 29:18 — Where there is no vision, people perish.

GREEN = Mercy, life, green pastures Psalm 23:2, revival, Holy Spirit life. Psalm 52:8 — I am like green olive tree in house of God.

7 = Completion, perfection Genesis 2:2-3, fullness of God.

GREEN 7 ON WALL = Final fullness of God's mercy calling for:

Spiritual Revival: Habakkuk 3:2 — "O LORD, revive Your work in midst of years." Psalm 85:6 — Will You not revive us again?
Repentance: Acts 3:19 — "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come."
Awakening: Ephesians 5:14 — "Awake, you who sleep, arise from dead, and Christ will give you light." Romans 13:11 — Now it is high time to awake out of sleep.
Rebirth: John 3:3,5 — Unless one is born again, born of water and Spirit, cannot enter kingdom.

This vision was given so you don't miss eternal life. Wall means it is written before you — warning is posted.

PART 5: ETERNAL LIFE GOD GIVES TO RIGHTEOUS ONLY — OR ETERNAL FIRE

Revelation 21:8 — "But cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is second death."

Matthew 25:46 — These will go away into everlasting punishment, but righteous into eternal life.

Romans 2:6-8 — God "will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath."

Psalm 11:7 — For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness.

God is righteous Judge 2 Timothy 4:8 — He cannot give eternal life to unrighteous. Must be righteous — washed by blood AND living pure Revelation 7:14, 14:4-5.

144,000 are seen as pure before God Rev14:4-5 — blameless. That is righteousness.

CONCLUSION: CHOOSE NOW

Joshua 24:15 — Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.

Deuteronomy 30:19 — I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.

Saved, church — wake up! Stop prosperity gospel lie that says "once saved always saved while living in sin." Stop flesh mindset — jealous, gossiping, quarreling.

Green 7 is last mercy. Next is RED 7 — blood, judgment complete. And skeleton vision — dead bones without Spirit.

Pray:

In Name of JESUS THE LAMB OF GOD, I repent! I turn from compromise of truth! I choose holiness above all else Heb 12:14! I will run clean race to end Heb 12:1! I receive Green 7 revival, awakening, rebirth John 3:3! Make me righteous by blood and obedience Rom 6:16, pure, blameless Rev14:5, so I miss not eternal life! Amen!