Paul desired seven things especially — and they all referred to Christ, and they are all named in his epistle to the Philippians— Let us compare our desires with his as we go on, and may the Holy Spirit bless our brief meditation on the subject.

First, he says, “that I may KNOW Him!” (Philippians 3:10.) Christ had appeared to Paul, he was revealed in him, and was constantly preached by him. Christ was . . .
  the object of his trust,
  the subject of his ministry,
  and the joy of his heart!
But he knew that there was much in Christ with which he was unacquainted. He knew but in part. He desired, therefore, to know more of . . .
  the glory of His person,
  the riches of His grace,
  the magnificence of His work,
  the excellency of His natures,
  the majesty of His kingdom!

Everything in Christ interested Paul. Creation was good — and grace was better; but Christ was best of all. He was never wearied . . .
  of thinking of Christ,
  of speaking of Christ,
  of learning of Christ.
He went on with his work, he went on his way — with the desire constantly rising in his heart, “That I may know Him!“

Beloved, how is it with you? Do you sympathize with Paul in this desire of his heart? Is it your daily wish, ardent desire, and constant aim — to know more of Jesus?

Throughout eternity we shall be learning Christ!
He is the lesson placed before us in the church on earth;
and He is the lesson placed before the church in Heaven.
Time is given us to learn Christ — and, blessed be God,
eternity will be given to us to learn even more of Christ!

Nothing endears eternity to me like this — it will be spent in learning, enjoying, and honoring Christ!

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.” – Psalm 51:10-12

Someone once said, “The problem with many people is that they have just enough religion to bug them and not enough to bless them”. Sadly that’s true. They think of Christianity as a grievous burden rather than a glorious blessing. They are like the folks described by Adrian Rogers in the article below:

So many people have the idea that being a Christian is like taking foul-tasting medicine—it tastes awful, but you know you’ll feel better one day.

They’re like the young man who prayed at a prayer meeting with few in attendance: “Oh God, be with us now, and help us while the rest of the people are out there having a good time.”

Do you ever feel that going to church or having a quiet time is like going to the dentist? Then you’re getting your satisfaction in life outside of a relationship with God. It’s time to spend some time in prayer and ask God to renew your spirit. 

Dear friend, the most miserable people on earth are Christians who are living out of God’s will, contrary to His Word. The happiest people are those who have discovered that God’s will is right, best, and safest, and are doing it. Which one are you?

In his old age, when he could no longer see to read, John Newton heard someone recite this verse, “By the grace of God — I am what I am.” 1 Corinthians 15:10. He remained silent a short time, and then said:
 
I am not what I ought to be. Ah! how imperfect and deficient.

I am not what I might be, considering my privileges and opportunities.

I am not what I wish to be. God, who knows my heart — knows I wish to be like Him.

I am not what I hope to be. Before long, I will drop this clay tabernacle, to be like Him and see Him as He is!

Yet, I am not what I once was — a child of sin, and slave of the devil!

Though not all these — not what I ought to be, not what I might be, not what I wish or hope to be, and not what I once was — I think I can truly say with the apostle, “By the grace of God–I am what I am“

      To love Jesus is to long to be with Him. To love Jesus is to think about Him. To love Jesus is to obey Him, to obey Him readily and implicitly, not feebly and reluctantly.– He is to be the author of impulse and desire, of effort and action. “Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” Will you get to heaven? What is Jesus to you? Does He charm you? Does He draw you heavenward? Is it to be with Him that you seek heaven? Is He the fairest flower in all its garden? Is He the rarest and most precious of all its jewels? Is He sweeter than all its songs? Does He beget the longings for its blissful abodes? Does the desire to see and be with Him stir the profoundest ambition of your soul? Jesus and heaven are bound up together.

      To love Him with an untold passionate devotion is heaven begun, heaven continued, and heaven ended. Paul says: “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing.”

      The crown is not only personal to him, but universal, only limited “unto all them that love his appearing.” Here it is not simply love for Jesus personally, but love for the great fact which is to culminate in the great glory of Jesus. To “love his appearing” there is the absolute necessity for loving His Person. The loving His coming is the test of loving His Person. We love the fact because we love the Person. We are not charged to love any theory or opinion about the manner of His coming, or the time, but the fact. Let Him come when He will, how He will, and for what purpose He will. We love his coming because we love Him. “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus,” and bring Thy heaven with Thee.–E. M. Bounds

—the Lord delighteth in thee— Isaiah 62:4

Is it possible,that such poor, depraved, unworthy creatures — can be the objects of Jehovah’s delight? Yes! The infinite love of God has been fixed upon us from eternity! Because He loved us, He sent His only-begotten Son to die for us! He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts to regenerate us!

“You have loved them — AS You have loved Me!” John 17:23.
Yes, the Father has loved us — just as He has loved Jesus — with an infinite love!

Every believer, though . . .
  his faith is weak,
  his fears are many,
  his corruptions are strong,
  his troubles are great, and
  his temptations are sore —
is the object of Jehovah’s delight!

Let us therefore endeavor to pass through this day, yes, and every day — believing and realizing:
“I am Jehovah’s delight!
 I am the object of His highest love!
 I am the subject of His sweetest thoughts!
 I am His portion for evermore!”

O incomparable privilege!

Wondrous source of comfort, holiness, and love!

You have more cause for gratitude than an angel!–By James Smith