Dr. Gough:

Do you have some goals, or goal, to follow in life?

--There are no finer to be found than in Jesus.

--He has given them, and lived them, in the Gospels.

--Shown the world how to face life, victoriously.

--Even amid opposition and a cross, for Jesus arose.

--Yielded to Him as Savior and Lord is a good goal.

--It is a God-given goal, for all the world.

By the grace of God St. Paul found it. So may we.

--In Philippians 3:14 he said, "Press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ."

--Paul's greatest goal, "That I may know Him...".

--He had known Jesus a long time, but even moreso!

--To have "the power of His resurrection" (3:10).

So Paul's chief goal was to know Jesus, as Lord.

In Philippians 4 Paul elaborates or goals for life.

--The finest life-style summary is in verses 4-9.

--As a young person or any age, dwell on such goals.

--I tell you, these are right. You can't go wrong.

--No better goals. No better One to help us along.

--Something to remember. To live by, each day.

I. UNBOUNDED PRAISE FOR GOD. START THE DAY WITH IT.

--"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, rejoice" (4).

--When we "Rejoice" we are praising God.

--We all have so much to praise Him for.

--"His mercies are new every morning," (Lam. 3:23).

--His blessings are more numerous than rain-drops.

--Begin each dawn giving God glory, unbounded praise.

From his writings, even in troubles, the Apostle did.

--So did John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress.

--Didn't always praise God, until was really saved.

--Then John Bunyan's life changed for the better.

--Pilgrim's Progress, is now in over 100 languages!

--It is about the spiritual life of John Bunyan. Us.

--With his faith, kindness, and pen, he blessed many.

--We visited his tomb across from Wesley's Chapel.

--Studying, memorizing Philippians, brought praises.

Even imprisoned for 12 years, Bunyan praised God.

--As Paul did. We should. "Rejoice .. always" (v 4).

--Maximize in memory the good things God gives us.

II. UNFAILING PRESENCE OF GOD - ALWAYS BE AWARE OF IT.

--It is in verse 5, "The Lord is at hand." With us!

--Did not Jesus say, "I am.with you, always"?

--Do we not need God with us, moment by moment?

--He will not leave us alone, in a confusing world.

--So- let us depend on God's unfailing presence.

--And so live as being aware of it. Watching us.

My friend, with unexpected troubles, this is a help.

--So no matter our ills, burdens, God is with us.

--Jesus said, "I will never leave, or forsake, you."

I have found that a fact in struggles we've faced.

--You will also. And what a blessing God is near.

--God says, "I know the plans I have for you ..plans for good and not evil, to give you a future, and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11 LB). Seek His presence.

--For believers, come what may, "The Lord's at hand."

III. UNWORRIED PRACTICE TOWARD GOD - A GREAT GOAL.

--These few verses of Philippians 4 to me are great.

--I am told, "Be anxious for nothing."

--That tells us, "Don't worry about anything."

--But I do. I used to, so much. But I'm learning!

In these trying times, we have much to worry about.

--About family. Future. Terrorists, health, money.

--About so much immorality. Way the world's going.

--What good does worry do? None! It gets us down.

"Worry never climbed a hill - never paid a bill.

Worry never dried a tear - never calmed a fear.

Worry never darned a heel - never cooked a meal.

Worry never led a horse to water - in fact,

Worry never did a thing .. it oughta!" Unknown.

--So why worry, when we can trust God, and pray!

Consider all the problems the Apostle Paul endured.

--For Jesus' sake, helping others, he was "beaten.. stoned.. shipwrecked .. a night and day in the deep, in perils., in prison" (II Cor. 11:24-26).

--John Bunyan also imprisoned for his faith 12 years.

--Yet, these men overcame worry with work and prayer.

Join me, please, in working on an unworried practice.

IV. UNCEASING PRAYER TO GOD - IS THE WAY TO DO IT.

--Philippians 4:6, "In everything by prayer."

--God's Word says, '"In everything .. about anything."

--Nothing is too small, or large, for God to help.

--And the Lord is just a prayer away. Ready to hear.

--It is a simple, satisfying` solution available to us.

--Anyone. Anytime. Anywhere. About anything.

It doesn't mean to "only pray," but be ready to.

--It does mean, be in an attitude of prayer, always.

For over ten weeks in my church in Waterloo, IA, that was broadcast over KXEL, I preached on favorite texts.

--That is, favorite passages or verses of the famous.

--It included the Queen of England, U. S. President.

--U. S. Senators, Representatives, Governor, so on.

--And popular people, like Paul Harvey, newscaster.

--It was a popular series, with a Dial-A-Devotion.

--God used it to bless many. Encouraging, to pray.

--A number of ,these had mentioned about prayer!

--What is your favorite verse? Chapter? Bible book?

What is the principle purpose of unceasing prayer?

V. UNBROKEN PEACE WITH GOD - IT IS POSSIBLE.

--Mark verse 7, "The peace of God will guard you."

--In fact it "surpasses all understanding ..."

--It is indescribable in its value, and comfort.

--It is a God-given goal that we do well to pursue.

--It is God's will His children have unbroken peace.

You say, "I can't do that, with all my trials!" Try!

--I can't either - by myself. None of us can, alone.

--But we can "do all things (God wants us to do), in Christ Who strengthens us" (Phil. 4:13). In peace.

Let's ponder this powerful, essential word, "peace."

--There is the "peace with God" - from above us.

--It comes when we are "born again" receiving Jesus.

--Then the "peace of. God" - that is within us.

--And the "peace from God" - that is peace around us.

This whole world, and you and I, need unbroken peace.

--Freedom from fear. Oppression. Discrimination.

--Freedom from worry. We need to partner with God.

VI. TO SEEK GOD'S UNLIMITED POWER - TO DIRECT US.

--Where do we get that in the passage? In verse 8.

--"Whatever things are true, noble, just, pure ..."

"Whatever things are lovely, good report ..."

"..If any virtue, anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things .. the God of peace be with you."

--Let's do that - "meditate on these things."

Aren't these qualities a brief biography of Jesus?

--He is "The Way, the Truth, the Life" (John 14:6).

--Jesus personifies each of these fine virtues.

--By His Holy Spirit in us, able to bring them to us.

--So that we may possess Christ's likeness. Power.

--The more like Jesus, the more His unlimited power.

Back in Texas growing up, we knew the Poteats.

--In fact the whole town did. He was a barber.

--They had two beautiful daughters, both were grown.

--One worked for my father. The other couldn't work.

--Her face, like the sister, was just as lovely.

--But her body, fully, grown, was that of a child.

--She had a good mind. Sweetest disposition. A joy.

--But she had to be pushed, like a child, in a buggy.

--All over town, everyone knew her and loved her.

--She couldn't help it - her little body never grow.

Spiritually, my friend, you and I can help it.

--We can grow. In the Lord. In God-given goals.

--God says, "Be no longer children, but speaking the truth in love .. grow up in all things, into Him Who is the Head .. Christ" (Ephesians 4:14f).

--To "Put away childish things" as envy, anger, evil.

--To make Jesus' life our ideal life.

Do you have such a goal, my friend? Come along.

--Join in, with millions, following a winner - Jesus!

--We may fail Him .. but He will never fail us.

--If we fail, don't fail to get God's forgiveness.

--He invites us to commune with Him. Be our Savior.

--Let's do it.

Dr. Wilbert D. Gough