Sunday, February 13, 2011
END TIMES READING PLAN: Revelation 21-22
SCRIPTURE READING
Philippians 1:20 (NIV); I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul was imprisoned when he wrote his letter to the Philippians. He knew that over the course of his trial, he would have opportunity to share the gospel, and he exclaimed his hope that he would have no shame in the message. If Paul, a man of such high esteem, could admit to such a hope, then we too need to declare such things! We need to ask the Lord for “sufficient courage”, that we may speak His name with delight. Isn’t it wonderful that what the Lord provides is always sufficient? No more, no less; it is always enough.
Paul was a man of complete devotion to the will of God. This surrender, this ability to count his life as not his own, allowed him to express such a pure and incredible statement, that “Christ be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” God created us as a reflection of Himself, that in our lives we would point others to His face. It is our summons to magnify, exalt and honor the Lord in all we do. What a wonderful privilege!
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1) Spend some time studying this verse. When you think about your daily schedule each morning, do you consider how you might share Christ with those you interact with? It’s easy to forget. Think about your schedule today, and ask God to give you a clear direction as you go through your tasks this day.
2) What are you afraid of, or anxious about when it comes to sharing Jesus with people? Meditate on God’s habit of sufficiency – how he always gives just the right amount of the thing we need. When has God’s provision been sufficient in your life? Come against fear and shame, and ask for an empowering of the Spirit.
3) “I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed…” For Paul, it was a given that in everything he did, he shared the gospel. Therefore it was an expectation that he would do so without shame. Pray these words, and ask God to make them a reality for you as you walk out your obedience to Him today.
