DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
OCTOBER 2, 2026
READ: Philippians 3 (Focus vs.10-16)
MEMORY VERSE
“I want to know Christ.” Philippians 3:10*
BACKGROUND
After getting fired from his job without prior notice, Wil became so depressed that he admitted himself into an inpatient mental health facility.
Then one day, after weeks with no progress, he was taking his daily walk when his therapist, seeing him, smiled and called out, “I bet I’ll beat you to the community room.” Wil recalls, “That small act triggered something inside of me.”
Suddenly he felt he had a purpose. Walking fast, he raced his therapist to the room and won. To his surprise, having one inspiring goal and meeting it gave him hope—a key to his recovery.
The apostle Paul understood the power of a clear goal. “I want to know Christ,” he told church members (Philippians 3:10). He wanted to know the power of the resurrected Jesus, for that power would help the apostle become more like Him.
To achieve that aim, Paul followed one strategy: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (vv. 13-14).
Feel like you’re falling short? God helps us refocus our goals as we “live up to what we have already attained” in Christ (v. 16).
Paul’s goal, therefore, wasn’t focused on earthly things. He knew that “our citizenship is in heaven” (v. 20). With this eternal perspective in view, we find new hope to thrive in Christ.
Patricia Raybon
INSIGHT
Paul is driven by his urgent passion “to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). He wants to “know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection” (vv. 10-11).
Being transformed to be like the resurrected Jesus requires us to pursue that goal with everything we have (vv. 13-14, 17). Yet even as we “press on toward the goal” (v. 14), we know it’s only possible through complete reliance on God.
He’ll help us shape our goals so that we’ll know Him better. One day, we’ll be resurrected and will finally reflect Him perfectly (v. 21).
Monica LaRose
APPLICATION
What goals do you have? How might you need to change them to align with Christ’s purpose?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Feel like you’re falling short? God helps us refocus our goals as we “live up to what we have already attained” in Christ.”
PR’s TAKE
“Being transformed to be like the resurrected Jesus requires us to pursue that goal with everything we have…. Yet even as we “press on toward the goal… we know it’s only possible through complete reliance on God.” Monica La Rose
“You were made by God and for God and until you understand that, life will never make sense.” Rick Warren
Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope.” Rick Warren
PRAYER
Please shape my goals, dear Father, so they inspire me to know Jesus.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I’M PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL”
I’m pressing on my way to glory,
The blood of Christ has saved my soul,
And yonder is the prize before me;
I’m pressing tow’rd the goal.
I’m pressing on,
I’m pressing on tow’rd the shining goal,
I’m pressing on,
I’m pressing tow’rd the goal.
I’m pressing on my way to glory,
God’s will doth now my life control;
With angel-keepers hov’ring o’er me,
I’m pressing tow’rd the goal.
I’m pressing on,
I’m pressing on tow’rd the shining goal…
I’m pressing in the strength supplied me,
His strength He gives me as I run;
His precious blood has sanctified me,
And I am pressing on.
I’m pressing on,
I’m pressing on tow’rd the shining goal,
I’m pressing on,
I’m pressing tow’rd the goal.
