Author: astherainandsnow

“If your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.  So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.  So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.  It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.”

“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself… For I tell you that Christ became a servant.”

“I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.  For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.  For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.” Romans 14:15-21; 15:1-3a,8a; 16:17-19

Whom we serve determines motivation, preferences, and actions, which over time determine longer-term outcomes. When we serve self, we are blind to Christ’s example and can’t be bothered by the weaknesses of others, often to the deterioration of relationships and the harm of nascent faith. Our willingness (and desire) to eat, drink, and do everything in order to serve Christ and His ends indicates a heart captivated by His sacrifice for us. (Matthew 20:28)

We cannot serve ourselves and the Lord and His people. Selfishly giving in to the lusts of eye and flesh is destructive to body and souls; greed and gluttony do not upbuild our neighbor. Why is it so important to get our way? What honor does it give Christ, what benefit to others, for us to boast our rights? Is it really more important for us to assert our freedoms in Christ than to love others and promote peace in Him? (Matthew 6:24; James 4:2-4; 1 John 2:16)

Where have we grown myopic in daily orientation and living, and calloused to the needs and fragile faith of those around us? Do we indulge and operate with an air of spiritual superiority, unable to recognize where we might cause another to stumble? What swagger or self-pleasing need we confess in order to be free to love, bear with, and upbuild our brothers? (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

My good Master, keep me serving You first, and others in Your name. May I follow Your example of laying down preferences, rights, and life for the sake of Your people and magnification of Your glory. (Philippians 2:2-8)

“On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.  Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples.  When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine…’ Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water.’ And they filled them up to the brim.  And he said to them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.’ So they took it.  When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from… ‘You have kept the good wine until now.’ This… Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him.”

“Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well… A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink…’ The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?’ (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)  Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’ The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?..’  Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” John 2:1-3,6-9a,10b-11; 4:6-7,9-11,13-14

When Jesus issued an everyday directive, He always had the supernatural in mind. Fully human, He could not help but act also as fully God, entwining the ordinary with holy purpose. Filling a practical and temporary need became at His command a display of His glory and a pathway to belief.

He always does the extraordinary with our ordinary, making significant and lasting what we see as mundane and temporal. He injects Himself into the very places of dearth, panic, loneliness, and thirst in our lives to make Himself and His power known. He elicits our involvement as He works the divine so we can know Him better and participate in His kingdom activity of transformation.

Are we in a spiritual rut in the mundane of routine? What responsibilities, duties, and even minuscule actions will we ask the Lord to make extraordinary and so reveal Himself through our best effort and excellence in their completion? What immediate or temporary pleasure will we trust Him to make rich, satisfying, and beautiful? Where do we need fresh filling in order to emanate His glory?

How intentionally do we draw from His well the inspiration, wisdom, love, patience, or joy needed for this day, then bless others from full jars? To whom are we offering soul-satiating living water?

Father, fill me with verve and joy in giving my best and all to You. Transform my ordinary human efforts into glorious and eternal offerings for your kingdom and praise.

“They are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.

“No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.  Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away…”

“The man from whom the demons had gone begged that he might be with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.’ And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him.”

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.” Luke 8:15-18,38-39; 11:33-36

In the beginning God created light, punctuating the chaos and dissipating the darkness with its ineffably sublime glory. And from the beginning, light benefits and compels those drawn to its brightness and warmth. Jesus the Light of the world brought order into man’s darkness, then assigned His disciples the life task of shining His light of uncanny love, wisdom, and power in the world to spread His kingdom. (Genesis 1:1-4; Luke 9:1-2; 10:1-3; John 8:12)

Before determining to spread light, it’s important to be ignited. Charging into a day in our own strength and wisdom, we will soon fizzle, depleted and exhausted. But drawing near to the Lord, taking in His personality and truth and way of thinking through His word and focused praise and prayer, will stoke into flame His Spirit. Holy desire will burn long and bright in light that is far-reaching and fruitful. (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18b; James 1:5; 4:8a)

When are we deliberately listening to and connecting with Jesus to ignite His light within? Once lit, how carefully are we staying filled? Whom in our workplaces, communities, and neighborhoods are we attracting to Christ’s light by declaring what God has done? Whom are we inviting to come near by winsome interest, compassion, attention, days and service of purpose and significance? How clearly do I convey biblical truth and present His gospel? (Luke 10:38-41; Ephesians 5:18-20)

“Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.” ~Old Irish, translated by Mary Byrne (1905)

Oh Father, please keep my lamp burning bright to reflect Your greatness and glory to all I see. (Luke 12:35)

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
    tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
‘Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown…’

“Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on…

“My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life…
Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.” Proverbs 4:1-9,13-15,20-23,25-27

Turning from the world’s pull to walk in God’s paths isn’t the norm. Thinking and responding biblically doesn’t come naturally to the flesh. Righteousness doesn’t just happen. The only way to make all these a practice and rhythm of life is deliberate implementation of some do nots by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In present culture, a myriad of ideas, sensory input, and entertaining activities allure both mind and emotion. They present stumbling blocks and distractions that trip us along and detour us off God’s path. It’s vital we not forget or forsake God’s admonitions when facing and filtering through everyday choices. We must not turn away from God’s word nor let go of its tether to our decision making, for they are our only deterrent from taking the first step to enter the path of the wicked. We must beware inclining toward evil, and rather incline our ears to truth. (Proverbs 4:12,19,24)

Is there an area of our thought-life, work, or personal habits where impulses or passions have swerved us to the right or the left and taken our eyes off the Lord? Does how we spend our time and resources prove we esteem wisdom and insight, or the world’s cheap promises? What areas or activities, conversations or companions, should I be avoiding in order to stay attentive to the Lord and to guard my heart as life’s wellspring?

Lord, fix my gaze aright and give me courage not to do anything that detracts from pure devotion to You or diminishes the reflection of your glory.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.  As it is written,

‘He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
    his righteousness endures forever.’

“He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.  You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.  For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.  By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you.  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

“Who has first given to me, that I should repay him?
    Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” Job 41:11

“What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 1 Corinthians 4:7

“You received without paying; give without pay.” Matthew 10:8c

“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

The Lord and Owner of the universe is bountiful and generous beyond measure. He cannot be outgiven, yet gives that we learn to give. We own nothing, and everything we have use of is a gift entrusted to us as a stewardship. He is our gracious supplier and supreme example: He gave the ultimate in His life for us. It is always more blessed to give than to receive. All He entrusts to us is to be held loosely, invested wisely, and put to use lavishly. Only the Giver is owned forever and lasting Treasure. (John 15:13; Acts 20:35)

Do I really understand that I own nothing, that all riches and honor and abilities and successes are the Lord’s? Have I reckoned this so as I manage and manipulate all over which I am a steward? How generously do I sow resources in my neighborhood, workplace, family? How gladly do I serve and contribute at church to build up the Body? (1 Chronicles 29:11-14)

And when the Lord has lavished sufficiency and enriched me, how have I turned His limitless grace to thanksgiving and praise? How deeply am I treasuring, how generously am I giving in life, love, and words, His inexpressible gift of Jesus?

Lord, You have given Your all for me. May I daily be glad and willing to spend and be spent for the sake of souls and for Your glory. (2 Corinthians 12:15)

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,  but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:29-34

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

Jesus knows the throes of temptation, and that we will surely struggle against the wily enemy, but He doesn’t expect us to fail. He is our great High Priest who experienced every push and pull and taunt of the enemy but remained without sin, and He is available to help us. With every warning comes His promise to intercede for us, and the admonition of what to do when we have turned again. This is our hope and confidence! (Matthew 4:1-11; John 8:44; Hebrews 4:14-16)

How easy it is to give up in the flesh! To think there is no way to resist the devil’s onslaught. To blame our circumstances. To weary of the fight. But God gets all that, and He still admonishes us to keep watch and triumph. He knows our every weakness, but also that His is the strength for the battle and the ultimate victory. He’s called us from the beginning to be conformed to His image, so everything that transpires for us is to that glorious end, and that we might help our brothers reach it also. (2 Corinthians 2:14)

When we feel as though we are being sifted as wheat, pummeled from every side to discouragement, failure, guilt, or regret, what truths lead us forward? What does it mean for us that the Spirit of Jesus in us is greater than the enemy in the world? How does the fact that we are predestined for glory, and the reality of Jesus advocating, defending, and interceding for us before God’s throne, bolster us to face temptation head on and name it, then boldly turn away? What promises of help and ultimate deliverance compel us to endure and keep on? (James 4:7-8; 1 Peter 5:8-11)

And when faith triumphs, whom can we help and encourage? What truths and practices will we pass on to strengthen our brothers to overcome?

Gracious Lord, help me daily rely on You and do all things You have commanded in Your strength, to Your glory. (Philippians 4:13)

“Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,  and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him. Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us. Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him.  I will therefore punish and release him.’

“But they all cried out together, ‘Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas’—  a man who had been thrown into prison for an insurrection started in the city and for murder.  Pilate addressed them once more, desiring to release Jesus,  but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’  A third time he said to them, ‘Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.’  But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. So Pilate decided that their demand should be granted.  He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, for whom they asked, but he delivered Jesus over to their will.” Luke 23:13-25

Pilate appeared authoritative and orderly in his initial dealings with Jesus. He seemed reasonable enough in his investigation, deducing his conclusion of not guilty from earnest inquiry. Even his wife warned him not to act against Jesus. But weak character turns resolve to mush when challenged by the mob. He could not stand against their hateful rancor and riotous pressure to condemn the innocent and free the offending. He pretended to wash his hands of guilt as he abdicated prudence and upended justice in his decision to yield to pressure from a rabid crowd. (Matthew 27:19,24; Luke 23:1-7)

When we want to please men more than God, reason ruptures and we lose our edge on wisdom. We allow fear and feelings to trump the right and true, and it never ends well. We may win temporary worldly attaboys, but that approval is fickle, short-lived, and meaningless when we must painfully bear our shame before our Savior. Thankfully, He receives the broken and contrite-hearted and redeems our failures. By His grace He restores right thinking. (Psalm 32:1-11; 51:1-2,17)

Are we prone to starting off right and then losing our sure footing? What pests or heat soften firm resolve to think and make decisions biblically and do the right thing? Perhaps we begin by clinging to God’s help, then loosen our grip and lean on our own understanding? Or has alluring worldly influence overridden what we know is pleasing to the Lord? Whom and what do we fear- being cancelled for taking a stand? Ridicule or teasing for a ‘narrow’ viewpoint or refusal to participate? Or standing before the righteous Lord Almighty? Where are we tuning out the truth and listening to the crowd? What riot of emotion are we allowing to hold sway over senses and reason? (Proverbs 3:5-6; James 3:16-17)

If we’ve failed to hold fast God’s standard,

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow.“ (Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:9)

Lord, swallow my human reason in Your wisdom, that I may know and continue in all that is right and true.

“The Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded,  and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, ‘Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. For a long time Israel was without the true God, and without a teaching priest and without law,  but when in their distress they turned to the Lord and sought him, he was found by them. In those times there was no peace to him who went out or to him who came in, for great disturbances afflicted all the inhabitants of the lands. They were broken in pieces. Nation was crushed by nation and city by city, for God troubled them with every sort of distress.  But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.’

“As soon as Asa heard these words,.. he took courage and put away the detestable idols from all the land of Judah.., and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the vestibule of the house of the Lord.  He gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon who were residing with them, for great numbers had deserted to him from Israel when they saw that the Lord his God was with him… They sacrificed to the Lord on that day from the spoil that they had brought 700 oxen and 7,000 sheep. And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and with all their soul…  They swore an oath to the Lord with a loud voice and with shouting and with trumpets and horns.  And all Judah rejoiced over the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and had sought him with their whole desire, and he was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.” 2 Chronicles 15:1-9,11-12,14-15

After a miraculous defeat of a million Ethiopians, a stern and forthright message from the prophet established Asa’s passion and priorities. The king had steered Judah aright from the start of his reign, and the Lord had prospered him militarily, economically, and religiously. But God knew that pride could set in after such successes and that warm hearts grow cold under the smallest influence of the flesh. (Sadly, this is the state where Asa ended decades later) For the season, God’s warning captured his whole desire, and all Judah benefited and rejoiced. (2 Chronicles 14:2-13; 16:1-12)

To seek the Lord in every situation and behave courageously in both rest and distress is to make way for the Lord to triumph. He always acts for our good and sanctification. What will it take for us to surrender and give Him our whole desire?

Where has my passion for the Lord waned? Has laziness or a subconscious apathy set in to disrupt long-held commitments and disciplines? Has selfishness or fatigue convoluted regular fellowship or willingness to serve the Body? How immediately do I heed warnings the Lord graciously sends by way of His people and word?

Father, own and rule my whole desire, that every impulse of heart, mind, and hand be initiated by Your grace and for Your glory.

“Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim.  So Moses said to Joshua, ‘Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.’  So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.  Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed.  But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.  And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword… And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner.” Exodus 17:8-13,15

"Commander, soldier, hold arms high, 
Each is needed in God's eye
To fight the fight that He's ordained;
His banner leads, He proves His reign."

A foreign enemy attacks, and the God who is never surprised sets His people in place to take charge, lead the charge, and support. He issues directions through His servant leader as His banner waves above and before. We do not know all Moses said, but we know he stood with steady hands to preside over the battle. We know Joshua fought, that Aaron and Hur upheld their leader’s arms, and that God Almighty brought the victory. “With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” (Exodus 14:13-14; 2 Chronicles 32:8)

In God’s grand scheme of battle between good and evil in this world, He appoints His people to take their places and do their part. We battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities only He knows and understands. He strategizes, determines our specific roles, and supplies the strength, wherewithal, and armor. (Nehemiah 4:17-18; Esther 4:14; Ephesians 6:10-18; Philippians 4:13,19)

Where is the Lord calling me to command as He directs, to lead with careful eye and heart? Where can I come alongside to fortify leaders with practical help, sustenance, or encouragement? Where does He want me on the front lines doing battle with sword, tool, or prayer? And as He gives the victory, how quickly and fully will I thank Him?

“Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.” ~George Duffield (1858)

Lord, wherever called to duty or do battle, keep me zealous and faithful, to Your praise.

“Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.  By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…

“For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4,9-10a

“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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,  that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

“I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-14

The gospel captivated and compelled Paul. The good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Christ that had saved him was the truth on which he lived, breathed, stood and urged others to stand. It pressed upon him as he pressed on to know his Lord and make Him known.

The gospel saves, and holds us secure as we stand in salvation. It is also our resurrection power for endurance. Working out our salvation is a daily sacrifice of self-determination to the Lord’s will, a daily reckoning that what He has done for us is true and effective. It is working out salvation with fear and trembling, a constant acknowledgment that we no longer live but Christ lives in and through us. The gospel charges and sustains the exchanged life. (Romans 6:11-13; 12:1-2; Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:12-13)

Do I see the gospel as having worth surpassing the privacy, independence, and self-coddling I treasure? Can I count as rubbish everything that would keep me from knowing and abiding in Jesus? To what attitudes, affections, and activities do I cling that keep me from pressing forward in faith, obedience, and sanctification? Where has the upward call of God placed me to live out the gospel before others so they too can know His prize?

Lord, keep me watchful, strong, standing firm in the gospel and faith, doing all in love for Your purposes and glory. (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)