Day Five

Bible Reading

Phil 1:19-30 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.20 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. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Devotional

To live is Christ, and to die is gain. Do you think that’s true? Does your life reflect that you believe it to be true? And if it is true, what do we have to lose as Christians? Nothing in this world matters except what we are doing to point others to Christ. This world is not our home. This life is not our end. Heaven awaits, and in the meantime we have a purpose to fulfill while we are here. We are called to live lives that make a difference in eternity. We should not settle for loving this world and all that it has to offer. Our purpose and fulfillment should only be found in things that matter in eternity. But God can purpose our mistakes for good. There is a greater purpose in all our sorrows and celebrations. Because of Paul’s chains, he was able to reach a group of soldiers he otherwise would not have been able to reach. When we live for Christ, we realize we have gained heaven. Paul was able to rejoice, despite his circumstances, because his hope and his joy were not found in the present, but in what would be found in the life to come.

Question to think about

What do you think it practically means to live with eternity in mind?