Today’s Bible reading is Philippians chapter 3
(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)
Being right with God is the greatest joy any person could ever have. Paul knew this joy and he desired that the Philippian church know it too. Paul knew the source of his joy. The source of joy is faith in Jesus Christ. Paul did not rely on human effort. He placed his trust in what Jesus has done for us. Before Paul was saved he sought righteousness by human effort. All of his accomplishments only brought him misery. One day he met Jesus Christ and his life was never the same. After coming to faith in Christ and experiencing God’s joy, Paul looked over his past accomplishments and concluded, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Him depends on faith.” (Philippians 3:7-9 NLT)
Prayer: “Father, thank You for the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, and from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen”
Randy J. McPheron
T.H.E.M. 