| Today's Bible Verse |
| "Not as though I had already
attained, either were already perfect: but I follow
after, if that I may apprehend that for which also
I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
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Philippians 3:12 King
James Version (KJV)
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| Today's Bible Study |
Do you have a father or mother
in the faith? Do you admire them and long to
imitate them or some other mature Christian?
Paul was such a person to the church at Philippi.
But Paul was not the only preacher interested in
this church. Others were also preaching in love.
Paul rejoiced over this fact.
Still others preached Christ out of envy and
rivalry. They were selfishly ambitious and hoped to
stir up trouble for Paul, who was in chains.
Paul’s words reveal no selfish ambition. In fact,
they reveal just the opposite. He humbly prayed
that he would never need to be ashamed of his
actions. He sought courage so that Christ would be
exalted in his (Paul’s) body (Philippians 1:20).
In Philippians 3:12, our verse for today, Paul
admits he was imperfect, but he intended to keep
growing as he faithfully followed Jesus.
Paul understood his fallibility. He was not
prideful in his accomplishments. He gave all glory
to God.
Paul encouraged the Philippians to keep pursuing
Jesus and his ways. Christians must never stop
growing in maturity and in grace.
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| Today's Prayer |
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| Father, I thank you for those around me who encourage and disciple me. I thank you for their testimonies that give me strength. Help me follow their example and Paul’s example and strive to grow in maturity and in grace. Guide me today, Holy Spirit. Give me wisdom. Amen.
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| Yesterday's Bible
Verse |
| "He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
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Isaiah 53:3 King James Version (KJV)
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| Yesterday's Bible
Study |
One of the saddest truths
associated with the ministry of Jesus is the
rejection he suffered from those who should have
welcomed Him. Centuries later, it is easy for me to
wonder at the foolishness of the Jews.
What was wrong with them? Had they not heard the
scriptures that foretold the coming of the Messiah?
Could they not take their minds off their physical
bondage and contemplate the spiritual bondage he
came to remove?
Many Jews did not recognize the Savior when He
appeared because He did not fit the mold they had
created for Him. They had built a box for their
Redeemer, and Jesus did not fit inside it.
In this season of sparkling lights, festive
gatherings, melodious carols, and general goodwill,
what image do we have of the Savior whose birth we
are celebrating? If He appeared among us, would we
recognize Him? Would He fit into the mold we have
designed for Him?
Do we expect this Savior to fix our problems, pay
our debts, and make our siblings share the
inheritance fairly? One who will accept us at face
value and demand nothing from us? One who will
spend his time handing out presents?
What is wrong with us? Do we not recognize that our
biggest problem is sin and our greatest need is a
Savior to release us from that bondage?
This season celebrate the birth of a Savior Who
brought the best gift of all.
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| Yesterday's Prayer |
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| Oh, Lord, we focus upon physical issues when our biggest problem is sin. Forgive us for trying to make you in our image. Show us Yourself. Amen.
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