Resurrect the dead!!!

Thursdays are my day off and today is one I don't particularly look forward to...going to dentist after lunch for a root canal and an extraction. Two of my favorite things, like you, I'm sure. I was thinking about writing about the passage where Paul spoke of doing the things he didn't want to do, but came across this passage instead and was reminded it's not about what I have to say...

The scripture today comes from Philippians 3:8-11..."Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (11) If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead."


When people hear about Christ and being a Christian, many times they think about the things they have to give up...along those same lines, many times we are concerned with what others are still doing a bit too much ourselves. God hasn't told us to clean up to follow Him, but rather give ourselves and let Him do the cleaning. We are still given the free will, which is a blessing and a curse. We only give up what we are willing...and we often hold back and don't allow God to have all of us. If you're like me, it takes reaching a low point to let Him take full and utter control. I, like Paul, now look back at what I gave up as dung for lack of a better PC word.

We are also to be found IN HIM, because like it says we have no righteousness of our own. Paul was teaching to those who were still trying to prove themselves by the law, rather than by faith. They were being hassled by Judaizers who were condemning their every move, trying to make them fall. Thanks be to God for his grace that we live by, rather than falling short of the law...because if you offend the law in the smallest part, you were guilty of the whole, remember?


In verse 10, Paul strives to know the Lord...do you strive to know the Lord, or do you just want to use Him for your personal gains? Really think about that one...when was the last time you prayed just to talk to Him??? When was the last time you just opened up your heart to Him??? When was the last time you prayed before your Bible reading and truly asked for Him to speak to you??? This is where we can all say we fall short, but we can strive everyday to improve our relationship, that we may conform to the image of Christ in our lives.

We should strive to be more like Christ, that others may see Him. Then, through us they can be lead by faith into a relationship with Him. Then, through the salvation given, we have a part in resurrecting a dead soul into life everlasting. That's a miracle that can still occur even in these troubled times we live in. Who says miracles don't happen?!?!

So, today...put things in perspective...glory in the losses we have, that we could win Christ...be found in Him...strive to know Him better...be conformed to His likeness...and resurrect the dead souls (unsaved) you come in contact with...

Please let me know if there is a prayer I can word on your behalf today...