March 25. TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2010.
RACE
DEFINITION:
Any contest or competition to achieve superiority.
SCRIPTURE:
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. I Corinthians 9:24.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
The recent Olympic Games reminded us of the “RACE” we are running every day as Christians. The race for Christians is not a sprint but a marathon.
In 1896 when the Olympics were revived in Athens after many years of no Olympics, they ran the first ever marathon. Seventeen athletes competed and ran 40 Kilometers (24.8 miles). The race was won in 1896 by a common laborer, but was so significant to the Greeks that he was honored by the King and the country considered him to be a national hero. In those days the winners of races were awarded with a crown made of leaves.
We were privileged several years ago to stand on the exact location of the running of that first marathon race. Being there and seeing the site first hand helped us understand even more vividly what Paul was talking about centuries before about crowns.
All six of our children were actively involved in sports. It became very important as they grew and matured that they would improve their abilities each year with the goal of winning whatever race they were involved in their specific sport. No matter what the sport was it demanded preparation and hard work and everyone involved was driven by the ultimate goal of winning and getting that championship trophy.
In I Corinthians 9:24 Paul uses the illustration of running a race as a picture of the Christian life. He challenges us as believers, not to just run the race but to win the race. The words written above from verse 24 tells us to run in such a way that you may obtain an imperishable crown. Paul not only taught this but lived it out.
In II Timothy 4:7 Paul says that “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul joyfully anticipated receiving the victory crown from his King in Heaven. The victory crown received in ancient Greek games was perishable. The victory crown the Christian will receive in heaven will last forever.
Every athlete who is really motivated to win is willing to give his or her time and effort to strict training and preparation. The athlete must learn the rules and then obey them so he or she will not be disqualified. The athlete is dedicated to do whatever it takes to win and is willing to make sacrifices to be the best he or she can be.
Christians who really want to receive the victory crown that will not perish, that Paul is talking about, must be willing to also do whatever it takes. The Christian must know the rules that God has set down in order for us to live a victorious life. God’s rules are given to us in His Word and the way we can know the rules is by reading the Word.
When we understand the rules that God lays out for us then we must train ourselves to follow these rules and live by them. This requires time and effort on our part. It also requires giving up whatever keeps us from being what God wants us to be.
Paul was motivated to win the victory crown that never perishes --- eternal life. He said, “Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly.” Are you running aimlessly or are you running to win the crown that God has promised you and that will last forever. We challenge you to run for the crown of eternal life and God will honor you. In our spiritual walk we as believers, need a goal that we will strive for daily. According to these words from the Apostle Paul we should set our spiritual goals in life to win the crown that will not perish.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me to run today a “race” that will honor and glorify Your name. Help me to challenge my family, through my words and deeds to run our daily races anticipating the crown of victory that You will give those who run a consistent life honoring You.
March 28, 2010
Evangelism: March 26, 2020
MARCH 26. TODAYS WORD FOR FRIDAY MARCH 26, 2010.
EVANGELISM
DEFINITION:
The preaching or promulgation of the Christian gospel; the work of an evangelist.
SCRIPTURE:
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. II Timothy 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus’ last words of instruction to His disciples were that they were to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28: 19-20.
This is known as the Great Commission. Soon after this Jesus ascended to heaven because His work on earth was done. He gave His disciples the responsibility of carrying on His ministry and He commissioned them to be His evangelists. The disciples, long ago, completed their work on earth and their commission of evangelism has been passed on to each one of us who are believers in Jesus.
In this verse (above) from II Timothy we are told by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
The word “ministry” here does not refer to any special group or class of people like pastors, teachers, or those that call themselves evangelists. The word “ministry” means “service” and all believers are called to be active in a service of some kind as it says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ‘ministry,’ for the edifying of the body of Christ.” YES, part of the believer’s ministry is to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Evangelism, New Testament style, is personal evangelism. Jesus set an example for us when He talked to individuals who came to Him or when He met an individual and “ministered” to him or her one on one.
In Luke 19 we find Jesus ministering one on one to Zacchaeus. He had climbed up in a Sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd. Jesus saw him in the tree and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for tonight I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly into his home and then into his life. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house.” And Zacchaeus gave clear indications of his new found life in Christ. He welcomed Jesus joyfully; he determined to give half of his wealth to the poor and then promised to return four-fold all the taxes that he had collected dishonestly. Zacchaeus found Jesus and accepted Him as Savior in a one to one situation.
We think of evangelism as being the work of only those who are good at speaking. Jesus wants all of us that believe in Him to be His evangelists. The way we live our life before others speaks volumes, when we are living as Christ wants us to live. We can all minister one to one with those we meet daily.
Jesus was the master soul winner. One by one He witnessed to John and Andrew and they accepted Jesus as their Savior. He witnessed to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus gives us this call: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
There is no more of an important place to be an evangelist than in your home. We taught our children about our commitment to Jesus by our example first and then by our words. We consistently encouraged our children to share their faith by their actions and their words.
There is nothing more rewarding for us as Christian parents than to see our children put into practice in their own lives the Biblical principles we tried to instill in them. Remembering back to those years when we had the challenge of raising teenagers, one of our children received an invitation to a birthday party. Other than the day the invitation came, nothing was said about the party. The day of the party came and we asked if he was planning to go. He said “NO” without any explanation. Being curious about this decision we asked “Why?” His answer was, “I don’t think it will be the kind of party I should go to.” We were so thankful that he saw the necessity of keeping his commitment to Christ as well as keeping his standards high by not only what he said but by what he did.
Often we do not think our children hear a word we say, but more gets through to them than what we think at the time it is said. We just have to keep on keeping on teaching them with consistency God’s commandments by our words and deeds and clearly show them their responsibility to obey them.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to determine this very day to be an “evangelist’ to my own family and then one by one to those I meet. May they see my commitment to You, my Savior, and the excitement that I have in serving You.
EVANGELISM
DEFINITION:
The preaching or promulgation of the Christian gospel; the work of an evangelist.
SCRIPTURE:
But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. II Timothy 4:5.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Jesus’ last words of instruction to His disciples were that they were to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Matthew 28: 19-20.
This is known as the Great Commission. Soon after this Jesus ascended to heaven because His work on earth was done. He gave His disciples the responsibility of carrying on His ministry and He commissioned them to be His evangelists. The disciples, long ago, completed their work on earth and their commission of evangelism has been passed on to each one of us who are believers in Jesus.
In this verse (above) from II Timothy we are told by Paul to “do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
The word “ministry” here does not refer to any special group or class of people like pastors, teachers, or those that call themselves evangelists. The word “ministry” means “service” and all believers are called to be active in a service of some kind as it says in Ephesians 4:11-12, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ‘ministry,’ for the edifying of the body of Christ.” YES, part of the believer’s ministry is to “do the work of an evangelist.”
Evangelism, New Testament style, is personal evangelism. Jesus set an example for us when He talked to individuals who came to Him or when He met an individual and “ministered” to him or her one on one.
In Luke 19 we find Jesus ministering one on one to Zacchaeus. He had climbed up in a Sycamore tree to see Jesus over the crowd. Jesus saw him in the tree and said to him, “Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for tonight I must stay at your house.” Zacchaeus welcomed Him gladly into his home and then into his life. Jesus said to him: “Today salvation has come to this house.” And Zacchaeus gave clear indications of his new found life in Christ. He welcomed Jesus joyfully; he determined to give half of his wealth to the poor and then promised to return four-fold all the taxes that he had collected dishonestly. Zacchaeus found Jesus and accepted Him as Savior in a one to one situation.
We think of evangelism as being the work of only those who are good at speaking. Jesus wants all of us that believe in Him to be His evangelists. The way we live our life before others speaks volumes, when we are living as Christ wants us to live. We can all minister one to one with those we meet daily.
Jesus was the master soul winner. One by one He witnessed to John and Andrew and they accepted Jesus as their Savior. He witnessed to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Jesus gives us this call: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
There is no more of an important place to be an evangelist than in your home. We taught our children about our commitment to Jesus by our example first and then by our words. We consistently encouraged our children to share their faith by their actions and their words.
There is nothing more rewarding for us as Christian parents than to see our children put into practice in their own lives the Biblical principles we tried to instill in them. Remembering back to those years when we had the challenge of raising teenagers, one of our children received an invitation to a birthday party. Other than the day the invitation came, nothing was said about the party. The day of the party came and we asked if he was planning to go. He said “NO” without any explanation. Being curious about this decision we asked “Why?” His answer was, “I don’t think it will be the kind of party I should go to.” We were so thankful that he saw the necessity of keeping his commitment to Christ as well as keeping his standards high by not only what he said but by what he did.
Often we do not think our children hear a word we say, but more gets through to them than what we think at the time it is said. We just have to keep on keeping on teaching them with consistency God’s commandments by our words and deeds and clearly show them their responsibility to obey them.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Help me, dear Lord, to determine this very day to be an “evangelist’ to my own family and then one by one to those I meet. May they see my commitment to You, my Savior, and the excitement that I have in serving You.
Light: March 24, 2010
MARCH 24. TODAYS WORD FOR WEDNESDAY MARCH 24, 2010
LIGHT
DEFINITION:
Something that makes things visible or affords illumination.
SCRIPTURE:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is no doubt that we are living in a dark and sinful world. Darkness is a sign of evil and the world today for the most part is evil. Satan, the evil one, is running free in our world. Many people live today in situations where God is not acknowledged, where a Christian’s faith is mocked and godless living is applauded.
As believers, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 that “We are the light of the world.” After we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, God expects us to represent Him in this world. A believer in Christ represents the opposite of evil and darkness and needs to shine as a light in a darkened world. When you as a believer live a life that honors God you are expected by your Lord to be a light for Jesus in this darkened world.
In most religions light is a symbol of God and godliness. The Bible is no exception. In 1 John 1:5 it reads that God is light. He is portrayed in James 1:17 to be the Father of lights and in Him is no darkness. He is said to be the light of the world in John 8:12 and in John 1:9, He gives (offers) light to everyone. In Psalms 119:105 it reads that His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Without light there is only darkness.
We have been through two major earthquakes. The first one was in 1971 just before the birth of our sixth child. Earthquakes will knock the power out and at night it is really dark after an earthquake. There are many after- shocks following a major earthquake and some of these after- shocks would cause the lights to flicker or sometimes knock the power completely out. Being in total darkness was frightening to our young children. At the first hint of a tremor announcing a new aftershock they would come running and cling on to us for dear life. It was quite some time before they would go to bed unless the light was left on in their room.
Fear of the dark is very natural and common among children and adults. Since we live in an earthquake prone area we now keep flashlights and candles readily available. Darkness basically represents the evil side of life and light represents the good. This is not only true in the Bible but in the world we live in today. The plot of many books and movies today, (like Star Wars), are between good and bad --- between light and darkness.
Darkness and light are completely opposite. They are opposing forces. Darkness blots out the light and depicts evil and light has the power to light up the dark and depicts honesty and love.
Each year, as our children were growing up we spent our vacation at the ocean. We always were awed by how clear and beautiful it was at night. Without the city lights hundreds of stars could be seen which were never visible in the city. This is a vivid contrast --- the light of the stars with the darkness of the sky is breath taking and always reminded us of the awesomeness of God. As the Psalmist said (Psalms 27:1) “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank You that You are my light and my salvation. Help me to be a bright light for You, shining in a dark world. Guide me in the teaching of my children that they may understand the difference between the light and the darkness of this world. Help them to know that Jesus is our light and sin is darkness. Help me to teach them to walk as children of light.
LIGHT
DEFINITION:
Something that makes things visible or affords illumination.
SCRIPTURE:
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Ephesians 5:8.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
There is no doubt that we are living in a dark and sinful world. Darkness is a sign of evil and the world today for the most part is evil. Satan, the evil one, is running free in our world. Many people live today in situations where God is not acknowledged, where a Christian’s faith is mocked and godless living is applauded.
As believers, Jesus told us in Matthew 5:14 that “We are the light of the world.” After we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, God expects us to represent Him in this world. A believer in Christ represents the opposite of evil and darkness and needs to shine as a light in a darkened world. When you as a believer live a life that honors God you are expected by your Lord to be a light for Jesus in this darkened world.
In most religions light is a symbol of God and godliness. The Bible is no exception. In 1 John 1:5 it reads that God is light. He is portrayed in James 1:17 to be the Father of lights and in Him is no darkness. He is said to be the light of the world in John 8:12 and in John 1:9, He gives (offers) light to everyone. In Psalms 119:105 it reads that His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Without light there is only darkness.
We have been through two major earthquakes. The first one was in 1971 just before the birth of our sixth child. Earthquakes will knock the power out and at night it is really dark after an earthquake. There are many after- shocks following a major earthquake and some of these after- shocks would cause the lights to flicker or sometimes knock the power completely out. Being in total darkness was frightening to our young children. At the first hint of a tremor announcing a new aftershock they would come running and cling on to us for dear life. It was quite some time before they would go to bed unless the light was left on in their room.
Fear of the dark is very natural and common among children and adults. Since we live in an earthquake prone area we now keep flashlights and candles readily available. Darkness basically represents the evil side of life and light represents the good. This is not only true in the Bible but in the world we live in today. The plot of many books and movies today, (like Star Wars), are between good and bad --- between light and darkness.
Darkness and light are completely opposite. They are opposing forces. Darkness blots out the light and depicts evil and light has the power to light up the dark and depicts honesty and love.
Each year, as our children were growing up we spent our vacation at the ocean. We always were awed by how clear and beautiful it was at night. Without the city lights hundreds of stars could be seen which were never visible in the city. This is a vivid contrast --- the light of the stars with the darkness of the sky is breath taking and always reminded us of the awesomeness of God. As the Psalmist said (Psalms 27:1) “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?”
LEARNING:
Our memory verse this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank You that You are my light and my salvation. Help me to be a bright light for You, shining in a dark world. Guide me in the teaching of my children that they may understand the difference between the light and the darkness of this world. Help them to know that Jesus is our light and sin is darkness. Help me to teach them to walk as children of light.
Credibility: March 23, 2010
March 23. TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 23.
CREDIBILITY
DEFINITION:
Capable of being believed; being trustworthy and honorable.
SCRIPTURE:
Beloved, I beg of you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. I Peter 2:11-12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
As parents raising our children we constantly stressed the importance of always being credible. Unfortunately most people in today’s culture do not consider the importance of being credible with their friends and acquaintances. When one loses his or hers credibility it is almost impossible to get it back. We taught our children the necessity of being honest, truthful and trustworthy because those were the character traits that would give them credibility. You do not win in life if you lie to or mislead people. The truth will always come back to hurt the one who misleads another.
Credibility is not something that you buy, it is something that you work for and earn. We may be able to “borrow” credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need to establish our own credibility.
As Christians it is essential that our lives are lived in a way that honors God. We are known as Christians and are held to a higher standard by the world. We are Christ’s witnesses in this world and therefore our actions reflect on Christ’s purifying power to enable us to be trustworthy and honest. If we fail in some way then our credibility failure affects God’s reputation. We must earn credibility as Christians by living each day an honorable life. When we take care of our character, by building it on God’s laws, our reputation and credibility will be honorable.
In verse 21 of I Peter 2, we are reminded that Christ suffered for us and left us an example. It then says we are to “follow” His steps. In the Greek the word “follow” means to take the same road. We need to walk the same road that Jesus walked and in turn we will be more Christ-like and have real credibility.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me and my family to look to You as our example for we know that You are without sin and that You want us to live by Your standards and not the standards of the world. Help us to be willing to follow in Your footsteps.
CREDIBILITY
DEFINITION:
Capable of being believed; being trustworthy and honorable.
SCRIPTURE:
Beloved, I beg of you as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God. I Peter 2:11-12.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
As parents raising our children we constantly stressed the importance of always being credible. Unfortunately most people in today’s culture do not consider the importance of being credible with their friends and acquaintances. When one loses his or hers credibility it is almost impossible to get it back. We taught our children the necessity of being honest, truthful and trustworthy because those were the character traits that would give them credibility. You do not win in life if you lie to or mislead people. The truth will always come back to hurt the one who misleads another.
Credibility is not something that you buy, it is something that you work for and earn. We may be able to “borrow” credibility for a while by associating ourselves with credible people, but sooner or later we will need to establish our own credibility.
As Christians it is essential that our lives are lived in a way that honors God. We are known as Christians and are held to a higher standard by the world. We are Christ’s witnesses in this world and therefore our actions reflect on Christ’s purifying power to enable us to be trustworthy and honest. If we fail in some way then our credibility failure affects God’s reputation. We must earn credibility as Christians by living each day an honorable life. When we take care of our character, by building it on God’s laws, our reputation and credibility will be honorable.
In verse 21 of I Peter 2, we are reminded that Christ suffered for us and left us an example. It then says we are to “follow” His steps. In the Greek the word “follow” means to take the same road. We need to walk the same road that Jesus walked and in turn we will be more Christ-like and have real credibility.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me and my family to look to You as our example for we know that You are without sin and that You want us to live by Your standards and not the standards of the world. Help us to be willing to follow in Your footsteps.
Contentment: March 22, 2010
MARCH 22. TODAYS WORD FOR MONDAY MARCH 22, 2010.
CONTENTMENT
DEFINITION:
Satisfied; easy in mind; happy; not wanting more or anything else.
SCRIPTURE:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. Hebrews 13:5.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” Hebrews 13:5.
“Now Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When our children were small babies they let us know when they weren’t feeling content, which was often in the middle of the night. After they had been fed and changed, their faces showed true contentment. As they became older it wasn’t as easy to satisfy their contentment needs as every parent finds out. Just try taking something from a toddler that they want but should not have and they will not be happy about it.
Their normally sweet faces will not show contentment. A child’s contentment is based on getting their way and getting what they want. This is true not only for children but for adults as well. We all have heard people say; “if only I had this or if I could do that” they would be happy and content. Yet so often those that seem to have everything are the least content.
The Apostle Paul was driven by a desire for excellence in his relationship with Christ. In Philippians 3:7-14 Paul tells us that the things that were considered gain for him, he has counted as loss for Christ. Anything that hindered Paul’s relationship with Christ had no value to him. Paul taught us that as believers we need a balance in our lives of never being satisfied with our spiritual progress and being content in Christ. He understood what true contentment is. His contentment did not come from what he had or what his circumstances were.
In Philippians 4:11 Paul expressed, while he was in prison, that he was content in all circumstances because his contentment wasn’t founded on whether he was living with plenty or in want. Paul was never complacent or satisfied with his own spiritual growth. He clearly stated that he had not counted himself to have “apprehended” (to have arrived and achieved it all). Instead he was committed to pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
What gives you contentment in your life? It seems that if one has a job, a home, a few friends and can pay the bills, he is content in life. This is the way so many people live today. But true contentment is different, as the Apostle Paul tells, us as we have written above.
Are you growing spiritually every day? You can only grow spiritually by spending time reading the Bible and then praying. This is your communication with God. Communication is a two way street. You need to talk to God (prayer) and God needs to talk to you (through the Bible). If you are growing spiritually each day it will be noticed in your “FRUITS.” Are you improving in your kindness, ability to love, helping others, and sharing the good news of the gospel with those you meet daily? If this is not happening in your life think about Paul’s message to us. We need to be content with what we have because our contentment comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. But we will find greater contentment if we keep pressing on to know Christ better. The better we know Him the more He will be able to use us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the contentment that I can experience in my life when I communicate daily with You and put my complete trust in You. Help me to be a witness to those I meet today so that they may see Christ through me. Give each member of my family the same contentment that I have in my life.
CONTENTMENT
DEFINITION:
Satisfied; easy in mind; happy; not wanting more or anything else.
SCRIPTURE:
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have. Hebrews 13:5.
“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.” Hebrews 13:5.
“Now Godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
When our children were small babies they let us know when they weren’t feeling content, which was often in the middle of the night. After they had been fed and changed, their faces showed true contentment. As they became older it wasn’t as easy to satisfy their contentment needs as every parent finds out. Just try taking something from a toddler that they want but should not have and they will not be happy about it.
Their normally sweet faces will not show contentment. A child’s contentment is based on getting their way and getting what they want. This is true not only for children but for adults as well. We all have heard people say; “if only I had this or if I could do that” they would be happy and content. Yet so often those that seem to have everything are the least content.
The Apostle Paul was driven by a desire for excellence in his relationship with Christ. In Philippians 3:7-14 Paul tells us that the things that were considered gain for him, he has counted as loss for Christ. Anything that hindered Paul’s relationship with Christ had no value to him. Paul taught us that as believers we need a balance in our lives of never being satisfied with our spiritual progress and being content in Christ. He understood what true contentment is. His contentment did not come from what he had or what his circumstances were.
In Philippians 4:11 Paul expressed, while he was in prison, that he was content in all circumstances because his contentment wasn’t founded on whether he was living with plenty or in want. Paul was never complacent or satisfied with his own spiritual growth. He clearly stated that he had not counted himself to have “apprehended” (to have arrived and achieved it all). Instead he was committed to pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
What gives you contentment in your life? It seems that if one has a job, a home, a few friends and can pay the bills, he is content in life. This is the way so many people live today. But true contentment is different, as the Apostle Paul tells, us as we have written above.
Are you growing spiritually every day? You can only grow spiritually by spending time reading the Bible and then praying. This is your communication with God. Communication is a two way street. You need to talk to God (prayer) and God needs to talk to you (through the Bible). If you are growing spiritually each day it will be noticed in your “FRUITS.” Are you improving in your kindness, ability to love, helping others, and sharing the good news of the gospel with those you meet daily? If this is not happening in your life think about Paul’s message to us. We need to be content with what we have because our contentment comes from our relationship with Jesus Christ. But we will find greater contentment if we keep pressing on to know Christ better. The better we know Him the more He will be able to use us.
LEARNING:
Our memory verse for this week is found in Joshua 24:15.
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
PRAYER:
Thank You for the contentment that I can experience in my life when I communicate daily with You and put my complete trust in You. Help me to be a witness to those I meet today so that they may see Christ through me. Give each member of my family the same contentment that I have in my life.
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