Devotionals

---

Isn't it funny how when you are listening/paying attention it is so much easier to get a response. I have been reminded of that truth today. Durring my Bible Study early this morning we were talking about prayer. And at the end of our time our leader asked us to write a prayer, and then sum up our prayer into one line. (As if we were pitching our prayer to the group like you would a sales pitch or movie pitch.) When I thought about it I realized that what I was really praying about was Contentment and Direction. To be content with my life as it is and yet to know God's direction and purpose for my future. I left feeling quite satisfied with Bible Study and moved on with my day. Later sitting down to compleate my Young Life homework, (another Bible Study this time on Incarnational Ministry) As I worked through the study guide I realized that God was answering my prayer for contentment. And I wanted to pass some thoughts along to you, as I know that some of you are also searching for purpose, direction and contentment with life as it stands.
Philipians Chapter 3
You have to love the begining of this chapter because it starts right out with sarcasim.
"it is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safegaurd for you"
I know that Paul was speaking to a specific church here, but he may as well been speaking to me, because I have read this passage many times and yet, I need to be reminded often of what it is saying.

Then he goes on...I encourage you to read it because the second paragraph is so visual. But let me skip down to verse 7 of chapt 3..."but whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things." Wow, this is exactally how I was feeling. Like I gave up all of my hopes and dreams to follow Christ, and knowing that what I am doing is what God wants but at the same time feeling as though I had lost something. How encouraging to know that Paul felt the same way. Yes I lost something, and it is okay to admit that, that is what I needed to hear, but the good news is that I also gained something better than I lost. I gained Christ and His purpose in my life. Paul continuies on..."I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." Knowing Christ was enough. And thus striving to become more like Him. That was enough...Not having the perfect job, house, paycheck, most impressive resume, car or lifestyle...but simply knowing Christ and striving to become more like Him.
Paul goes on. Verse 12...Saying that He is not there yet, he is not perfect, or Christlike at all times, but he is pressing on towards that goal. Here is the one thing that he does:"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus." He is not stuck, he is not thinking back of all of the things he could have done, or shold have done, could have been or should have been. He is focused on one thing, Christ and becomeing more like Him. Then he says this..."All of us who are mature should take such a veiw of things. If you at some point think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Yes that is right, no being lazy, no settling for a half lived life, no lying around waiting for more, live up to your potential, and what you have already got.
Then he points out that we are to do this with others, not on our own. We need community. And the best part is that he goes on and says that there are many people who live as enemies of the Cross of Christ and their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach and their glory is in their shame. You see what he is saying is that all of those people that I am comparing myself to really have nothing in the end. Sure life might seem good for them now with their nice paycheck, large home, brand new car you get the picture, but if their goal is not Christ and his purpose for their life, than they have nothing worth wanting. And me well my citizenship is in Heaven, and I can eagerly await a Savior from there who has everything under his control, and will transform my lowly body to his glorious image. Therefore myfriends we can stand firm in the Lord, and His perfect will for our lives.

"Having thus a fond affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the Gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us." IThessalonians 2:8

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE