Our loving Heavenly Father challenges us to rise above our carnality and to walk in perfect holiness (Matthew 5:48). He does not leave us alone in this journey, however. He walks with us and in us through every step of the way (Hebrews 13:5).
We
start our journey by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, so that He can save us
from our self (Romans 10:9). Then we walk in His truth as His Spirit helps us
to be more like Jesus every day (Philippians 2:5, 3:10). He promises us
heavenly rewards for this endeavor (Philippians 3:12-14, 20-21).
During
Paul's life, he spent most of his time planting churches all over his known
world. He suffered much persecution and hardship during this time, even living
in prison and with physical abuse. We too are an example for those whom God
places in our life (Philippians 1:14, 4:9).
Paul
wrote Philippians, His joy letter, because he learned through a lifetime of
tribulation that the best way to traverse trials is through continual praise to God (Philippians 4:4). He exhorts us not to worry, but to consult God each moment
of our day (Proverbs 3:5-6).
If
we pray about everything, with gratitude in our heart, His peace, that has
nothing to do with human reasoning, will flood our soul to the fullest measure
(Philippians 4:6-7), especially if we prevent Satan's lies and our negative
thoughts and attitudes from distorting His truth (Philippians 4:8).
We
learn contentment when we change from focusing on carnal aspects of life to
thinking instead about abiding in God's Kingdom now and for eternity
(Philippians 4:11-13). We live for God rather than for our self, and He
provides for all of our needs (Matthew 6:33).
Prayer:
Father
God, remind us to live our life, regardless of our circumstances, in a manner
that is an example of Your presence in our life (Philippians 1:27). We do not
want to give a false impression of the Christian life, but to live with the
evidence of Your Spirit's fruit in our life (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12; 1 Timothy
6:11). Help us to spread the gospel of Christ throughout our sphere of
influence through Your power within us.
Humble
us so that we have more compassion on the faults of others and their behavior
toward us, forgiving slights and wounds that they inflict by their words and
behavior. Out of reverence for You, we want to purify our self from every
entrapment in this world that contaminates our body, soul and spirit, as You
perfect Your holiness in us (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Thought
for the Day:
Apart
from God's grace we can never perfect our self, but in Christ we can do all
things because He strengthens and perfects us; Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary's
cross makes us Holy by His Spirit's perfecting work in us.
- Philippians 10:14;
James 1:1-13
