Daily Reading 10-17-17
Philippians 3:13-4:1 New Living Translation (NLT)
What is the main objective of your effort each day? At the deepest level, what are you trying to accomplish with your schedule and time?
The Lord gave us a Word on Sunday in our worship time about faith, humility, and the importance of bearing the fruit of the Spirit as a key component of His kingdom reign. According to 2 Corinthians 9:10, the Lord supplies the seed and multiples the seed for sowing which increases the harvest of our righteousness. As the Lord of the harvest, Christ invites us to be prepared for His Second Coming (a great harvest of souls) when He calls us home to reconnect to the Tree of Life.
I am sure God is pleased when we spend time in His Word and pray. I am positive it pleases God when we allow that Word to cause us to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, gentle, thoughtful, and approach each day with more self-control. If we are going to be victorious in producing the fruit of righteousness, it will require us to pick up our crosses and follow Christ through our daily activities. Is bearing the fruit of the Spirit your highest goal each day as you interact with people and go about your schedule? Do you give equal emphasis with your whole being to produce spiritual fruit in your relationships over and above the actual task or responsibility at hand? We have an opportunity to touch the lives of others every day in some way.
Philippians 3:13-4:1 Focused on the Goal
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
17-19 Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
20-21 But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
4 My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.
Prayer: Lord, help me to focus on your Kingdom and the growth of my spiritual fruit each day, knowing you have promised to make me prosperous in the other things my earthly life requires. In Jesus’ name. Amen.