Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
Today we come across two gems for understanding the Christian life: The first is to consider everything loss because of the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ" (3v7). This describes our priority. Paul won't consider anything that might keep him from relying on Christ alone for salvation, or keep him from perseverance. So he refuses to place any confidence of acceptance before God in his moral or religious works, so that he will trust Christ for the righteous standing he gives as a gift. Moreover, Paul is ready to suffer rather than give up on the faith, so that he will know deep fellowship with Christ and, in the end, resurrection. The second gem is to "live up to what we have already attained" (3v16). This describes our pattern. If we own genuine faith, resurrection to eternal life is already ours. And so we are to live now as citizens of heaven and honour God with our bodies. Paul therefore urges us as his hearers to loving unity, to joy and peace through prayer, and to setting our minds on the things of God and learning contentment with whatever we face in the present. As you read note the difference knowing what we have in Christ brings.
Philippians 3-4
Philippians 3-4
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.