Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
Philippians 3:14–4:1 (NRSV)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. 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. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 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. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.
Reflect
When I was a child, the first Bible verse I memorized was Philippians 4:19. Since then Philippians has been my favorite book of the Bible. Not only is it my favorite, but also I have found so much comfort throughout the book. It reminds me that true joy can only come through Jesus Christ. Philippians also shows me that as a Christian, I must do m part in following Christ.
Today’s text begins with Paul telling his esteemed Christian brothers and sisters in Philippi that he could not have made it without Jesus Christ. No matter how hard life became for Paul, he kept his focus on the one thing most important, “the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.”
I long for a faith like Paul’s. To have the ability to forget the past, stay focused on the future, and to press on towards the prize God has set out for me. When I find myself losing focus on that which God has set out for me, I find comfort in Paul’s words to the Philippians in 3:20, “But our citizenship is in heaven and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” It is reassuring and even exciting to know that there’s something better waiting for me, and that helps me to press on.
Pray
Lord Almighty, we all get weak, we all get tired and lose focus at times. Help us never to forget that there is so much more waiting for us. Amen.
Go with God.
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