(Philippians 3:8 NLT) Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
When I share the things that are important to me such as studying the Bible, prayer, and tithing with someone who does not believe in God I can see in their face the confusion and disbelief. “Surely your time and resources could be better spent”, seems to be the underlying message as they try to reason with me but the missing part of the equation is relationship with God. How do you express the overwhelming need to give back to the one who has given you everything until they experience it themselves? It’s not just the need to give back but once you understand just what has been done for you there is a burning desire to know more about this King of kings who gave His life and lives again so that you might live. Every day with Him is like breathing for the first time, every morning His mercies are new and opportunities abound to serve Him in new ways. With simple obedience I can see Him smile, for I know I have pleased Him. It is not always a walk through a rose garden but it is in the hard times that my relationship with Him grows the most, for I am a work in progress. As He leads me through the storm I become something that I was not before and on the other side I find His training has prepared me for battles that I will soon face. You see only after we step into Christ the real purpose we were born with takes action. Inside of each of us is placed an answer to someone’s question and if we don’t allow God to prepare us for His purpose that question will go unanswered. This question may belong to your neighbor and by answering the question (by living for Christ) they will one day come to know Jesus as their Savior or this question may be for a group of people. I have known many pastors and church leaders who point the way to Christ every day but whatever the answer looks like inside of you the road to fulfilling it is knowing Christ and walking in obedience. We all want to something big but that will never be realized until we are faithful with the baby steps before us today!
“I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.” Php 3:8 NIV
ReplyDeleteI cannot say I could follow Christ through anything, but I can sure try to grow and have faith that when the bottom does fall out the Holy Spirit will strengthen and care for me as he has and faith will direct me to follow his example.
Hey Keith I hear you, there are many things I read about that I’m not sure my faith could endure but I also know God has promised not to test us beyond what we can endure and I read He is faithful to complete what He has begun in us!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement you give me on a regular basis, I hope your Easter weekend was a good one! I’m looking forward to Wednesday after a week of not feeling well.