0317 僕人的首要目標
我們立了志向，要得主的喜悅。 《哥林多後書 5:9》
「我們立定目標……」它需要有意識的決定和努力來將我們的主要目標始終保持在我們面前；這意味着我們年復一年地把自己放在最高優先的目標；不是以贏得靈魂、或建立教會或有奮興為優先目標，而是只追求「討神喜悅」。導致失敗的並不是缺乏屬靈經驗，而是缺乏努力保持我們的目光集中在正確的目標上。每周要至少一次在神面前省察自己，看看你的生活是否達到祂對你的標準。保羅就像一個音樂家，根本不考慮觀眾的讚許，只要他能從指揮家那裡看到讚許的眼神。
我們任何一個目標如果使我們偏離「蒙神喜悅」（提摩太後書 2:15）的中心目標，即使最輕微程度的偏離，都可能導致我們被拒絕進一步服事神。當你辨別目標通向何方時，你就會明白為什麼保持「仰望耶穌」（希伯來書12:2）是如此必要。保羅談到管制自己身體的重要性，以至於身體不會把他帶向錯誤的方向。他說：「我攻克己身，叫身服我，恐怕我傳福音給別人，自己反被棄絕了。」（哥林多前書 9:27）。
我必須學會將一切與主要目標聯繫起來，沒有間斷地維持主要目標。我對神在公開場合的價值是被我在私生活中的真實所是來衡量的。我人生的首要目標是討神喜悅並被祂接納？還是其它的目標，無論聽起來是多麼崇高？
來自章伯斯的智慧
聖經並不激動人心；聖經滋養人心。花時間閱讀聖經，其休養效果就像呼吸新鮮空氣一樣真實。《真的門徒》
0317 The Servant’s Primary Goal
We make it our aim…to be well pleasing to Him. —2 Corinthians 5:9
“We make it our aim….” It requires a conscious decision and effort to keep our primary goal constantly in front of us. It means holding ourselves to the highest priority year in and year out; not making our first priority to win souls, or to establish churches, or to have revivals, but seeking only “to be well pleasing to Him.” It is not a lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but a lack of working to keep our eyes focused and on the right goal. At least once a week examine yourself before God to see if your life is measuring up to the standard He has for you. Paul was like a musician who gives no thought to audience approval, if he can only catch a look of approval from his Conductor.
Any goal we have that diverts us even to the slightest degree from the central goal of being “approved to God” (2 Timothy 2:15) may result in our rejection from further service for Him. When you discern where the goal leads, you will understand why it is so necessary to keep “looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). Paul spoke of the importance of controlling his own body so that it would not take him in the wrong direction. He said, “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest…I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
I must learn to relate everything to the primary goal, maintaining it without interruption. My worth to God publicly is measured by what I really am in my private life. Is my primary goal in life to please Him and to be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how lofty it may sound?
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
The Bible does not thrill; the Bible nourishes. Give time to the reading of the Bible and the recreating effect is as real as that of fresh air physically. — Disciples Indeed, 387 R