Today's Reading:
2 Chronicles 1:1-3:17
Philippians 1:1-26
Psalm 111:1-10
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses: Philippians 1:19-21
19 ...for
I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of
Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I
eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have
sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my
body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Insight:
Paul
was in prison and facing the real possibility of death. He wasn't sure
whether he would be released and given more opportunities to minister,
or whether he would be silenced by long-term imprisonment or even death.
His faith in God was so much deeper than his fear of circumstances that
he could imagine how God might use either possibility to accomplish his
will. Paul could entertain the possibility of dying for Christ as
easily as living for Christ.
Paul believed that by the
provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and through prayers of his
Christian brothers and sisters, God's purposes would be accomplished.
Paul was convinced that he personally would not be ashamed in either
outcome—death or in life. For Paul, to live meant fruitful labor for
God, and to die meant the great gain of being with the Lord.
Response and Action:
I
want the driving motivation in my life to be centered on serving God's
purposes and bringing glory to God. I want to draw so near to God, and
be so convinced of his provision and good will, that I am willing to
risk all and face anything. I want to grow so deep in my faith that I
see every moment of life as the opportunity to serve and honor God, and
see the possibilities and realities of death as gain.
O
Father, help me to live for you and through you in thought, word, and
deed. Help me to seize every opportunity to know you, serve you, and
love you. Give me a heart that seeks your guidance for life, and trusts
your provision and promise in death. Help me to know you and experience
you so deeply that I am able to say with Paul, "To live is Christ, and
to die is gain." Give me eyes to see how you are able to make all things
work toward the ultimate good of your redemptive and saving will. Help
me to remember that there is more to life than my circumstances, and
that life in Christ is bigger and truer than death. I pray all this in
the name of Jesus, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Romans 8:38-39
38
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor
demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to
separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Resources:
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church
by N. T. Wright
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