December 30, 2024: God is Powerful

“That I may know Him and power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to [arrive at] the resurrection from the dead . . . Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:10-11, 13-14).

Dear Praying Friends:

About thirty years ago, at this time of year, I asked my brother Peter, “What are your New Year’s resolutions?”

His response struck me and has stuck with me: “I just want to know Jesus.”

The preacher yesterday spoke on the text quoted above, urging us to reflect on the past year, learn from its experiences, and then, forgetting what lies behind, to reach toward those things which are ahead, and press on toward the goal of the upward call of God.

What goal? To know Christ and all that he has for us, including transformation into his likeness.

2024 has been quite eventful for us, as you know from my weekly prayer updates. I am very thankful for the Lord’s gracious presence through it all, and grateful for your faithful prayers for us and our friends.

For your prayers: Please ask God to

• Give us all a single-minded zeal to press toward a richer knowledge of Christ and a closer likeness to his character.

Yours in the love of the one who came, lived, died, rose again, ascended to heaven, and now intercedes for us,
Wright