“Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8
“By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward.” “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 11:24-26; 13:13-15
“Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked,
and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations,
with which your enemies mock, O Lord,
with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed.” Psalm 89:50-51
To understand the worth of something there must be a counting of the cost. Weighing what is expended against what is received makes clear the choice: is this worth the exchange? For the people of God, when deliberating between heavenly and earthly, the answer is always yes! The supernatural value of knowing Him, sharing His resurrection power and painful sufferings and holy insights, is inexplicably beyond any good we can imagine. (Philippians 3:10)
Yet, we live as paupers. We go about day to day with such limited hopes, trading in the exercise of heaven-given verve and talents for bland, insignificant living. We pass through uncounted hours opting for cursory conversation, meaningless entertainment, and crude humor over robust interaction, meaningful relationships, and hearty joy. We who own every spiritual blessing in Christ and know Him personally behave as though there were no tomorrow, no accounting, no thrill of hope awaiting. (Ephesians 1:3)
What keeps our sights low, our hearts disgruntled and ungrateful? How will we take full advantage of the inspiration, love, and fulfillment of knowing Christ and making Him known? Let us come, adore, and rejoice!
“O holy night! the stars are brightly shining;
It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope- the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O holy night, O night divine!
Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother,
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we;
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!” ~Placide Cappeau (1847)
Amen!
As the rain and snow 