In one sentence, how would you describe the Apostle Paul based exclusively on today’s scripture (Philippians 3:7-11)? As you consider your description, here is my one sentence . . . “The Apostle Paul was a man so changed by Jesus Christ that everything in his life was affected and became centered on Him.” And really, does that not describe a Christian? When Jesus Christ reveals Himself and enters into the life of a person, two words tell us what happens – “radically changed.”
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Pleasing God, Making Disciples of Jesus Christ
Ministries
Luke 14:27 – Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Here you will find activities and information that promotes growth in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ and our journey of discipleship.
I remember all those long days of training while in the Navy. We would go to sea and run drill after drill; training activity after training activity, and all to prepare the crew to deploy to places where hostilities might occur. And to arrive at the optimum state of readiness, the training was little by little over an extended period of time. We didn’t just train one day and were good to go. No. It was slow, tedious, and each drill built upon each other.
Proverbs 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. THEME OF THE DAY. LIVING AS OVERCOMERS. Nothing will come into our lives today which caught God off guard. Nothing will happen to us that doesn’t have a Divine Hand guiding it. No tough circumstance will develop that isn’t coming from the loving heart…
Proverbs 6:6-11 – Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. 7 Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, 8 she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. 9 How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding…
Ever been far away from home for an extended period? Remember those feelings of homesickness deep inside? And those feelings of never feeling totally comfortable knowing it wasn’t home and only temporary? Such feelings and experiences are natural in the Christian and spiritual realm too. Why? This is not our home. In today’s scripture, we have two applications to help us live life in this world as foreigners, aliens, and pilgrims.
If I were to sit down with you and ask, “Why did God save us?” I am sure we would dialogue along answers such as; to display His grace and glory, to make us like His Son, to show the world God’s love, to free us from His wrath, to forgive us our sins, and to take us to heaven to enjoy His presence forever. Those are legitimate Biblical answers to why God displayed His amazing and saving grace in His plan of salvation. However, I think there is a reason above all of these. Yes, I know the chief end of all things is the glory of God, but what I am about to share accomplishes this end and does so more than anything else we may do in the Christian life.