Devotion #25

CENTRAL TRUTH: We experience joy as we use our time, talent and treasure to accomplish Christ’s will for New Covenant Bible Church.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Philippians 2:14-18

This is our last week of the 30-Day Challenge. Thanks for taking the challenge with me. I hope this begins a lifetime habit of daily spending time alone with God.

Please begin to think of what you are going to do when the 30-Day Challenge is over. Will you continue your daily time alone with God? If so, what Scripture passages will you read and journal about? Tomorrow I will have some suggestions for you.

One of the greatest blessings of embracing faith in Christ through sacrifice is joy. The Apostle Paul is sitting in prison, facing possible execution, when he writes, “But even if my life is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service (that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you” (Philippians 2:17 NLT).

We often wonder if God knows what He is talking about when He asks us to give sacrificially of ourselves. We often think God only wants something from us. In reality, God is asking us to sacrifice because of what He wants for us.

One thing God wants for us is joy. I personally experience such great joy as I allow God to use me to accomplish His will for New Covenant. Every minute of my time, every ounce of my energy, every percentage of my income given for the Lord’s work is worth it. How about you?

If you have not done so yet, please open your Journey Guide to the corresponding devotion in the Reading Journal section. Journal your thoughts in response to the questions found there, spend some time in prayer, and take a couple of minutes to review this week's Memory Verse.

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Today's Author

Bob Westfall

My name is Bob Westfall. My “little red-haired girl” is Leesa, and we have been married for 32 years. We have two wonderful daughters, Heather and Amy, and one super son-in-law, Ryan, who is married to Heather.

Leesa and I moved to Cedar Rapids in June 2003. I began as the Middle Adult Pastor, and then God transitioned me to the Senior Pastor position at New Covenant. You may be surprised to know (or maybe not!) that I was a thespian during high school and college. In fact, I was a member of the Alpha Psi Omega national theater honor society.

Comments

[Tye Male]

I love that phrase in today's passage where Paul says "do everything without complaining and grumbling." This is because sacrifice can cause one to do this! Uh, it causes me to do it. What a challenge this was for me this morning.

Here's what I wrote in my journal: Sacrifice, although it runs counter to the culture, is what the Christian life is all about. We deny ourselves so that the cause of Christ may go forward.

And I'm not allowed to complain about that.

[Mark Eades]

Just to add to Tye's thought, "We deny ourselves so that the cause of Christ may go forward." The cool thing is that as we deny and go forward we gain JOY above anything that we could get by ourselves.

[Richard Kramer]

First, I also, like Tye, was drawn to the verse about arguing and complaining.
I remembered a story about a man who got tired of constant complaints and arguments against him. He decided not to retaliate in the same way but simply agree with his accusers. Whenever he heard the words “You never…, you always…, you are the worst…,” he simply said, “You are right.” That stopped the arguments in a hurry and he had peace. Someone who was watching him live at peace with himself and others one day said to him, “You are the nicest guy around.” He answered with a smile, “You are right.”

I know, I know, he had to swallow his pride by not being “heard,” by not having his “rights” defended. This seems unfair, but he sacrificed his pride and was rewarded because of it. Now read verses 14 and 15 again. Our reward will be that others come to know Jesus because our “walk matches our talk.”

Second, I was blown away by Paul’s willingness to suffer for his flock! And then not to cry out in agony, but rejoice over it. He encourages them to be glad and rejoice as well instead of mourning and weeping if he gets “poured out.” To me this is one of the finest examples of servant leadership.