God who never changes, bless the heart and spirit of this dear reader in all that she or he may face; in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
My thanks to J. D. Welch who designed today's banner and to my wife, Nellie, who took the photo.
Our text comes from Philippians 3:15-21: 15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Who had a powerful impact on your spiritual life? Was it not the one who lived the Christian life and modeled for you just how you are to live? Paul knows the power of a life lived well in Christ. He met and was instructed and blessed by the Risen Christ and so all his life he tried to model his life after the one he saw oh so briefly in Christ; so his urging folks to live a life that imitates him is not a vain or self-centered notion, it is one of peace and power. The one who impacted our life faced trials and hardships; he or she may have even faced times of deep despair as a result of those things that came along in their life, but they never gave up and held faithful until the end. Such is the strength of God with us and those who hold fast to Him. Paul knew that he and others who were trying to follow Jesus were being almost pried away from that hold they had on Him by those who mocked Christ and had become all too real "enemies of the cross." Paul knew that Jesus had died even for them, but unless they repented of their ways Paul also knew that "their end is destruction" all because "their god is the belly and their glory is in their shame." Who wants to live a life like that? Would you knowingly live a life that mocks and taunts others knowing that your end was coming in a painful way?
What is troubling you today? What is causing you to feel weak and alone? Hear the good news: God is with you and loves and cares for you and though we pass through times such as these the end in Christ is even greater than any trial or tribulation we may face. Hold fast to Christ. Live a life that blesses Him and models for others the better way to live.
PRAYER: For those who showed us the way through the way they lived, we give You thanks. May them be comforted this day. For those who now rest in You we ask that we may be comforted this day. We ask for more faith and more strength in those challenges that may come our way today. Help us to hold on to You in all things. We ask it in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Requests: Continued prayers for those looking for employment. Even in big cities doors seems to shut to them; let us pray that the mighty arm of God open bigger and better doors. For those still recovering and in need of healing; that God may place His healing hands on the pain and sources of pain to heal and transform those dear ones. For those by the bedsides of those hurting and sick; that God may comfort them. Thank you for being those who fight on behalf of others. Blessings!
