READING: Philemon 1:1-25, Philippians 1:1-2:11
My pastoral mentor prays this prayer for himself each day: “That I would do nothing that would give the Adversary an opportunity to mock my Lord.” In fact, here’s what he wrote for one of my blog posts about the 7 prayers he prays each day: “Satan is the ‘accuser,’ constantly seeking to discredit us in the eyes of God and thus discredit God who calls us His own (Job 2:1-6, Zech. 3:1-2, Rev. 12:10). I do not want to do, say, or even think anything that would lend support to Satan’s accusations.”
I think about that prayer from a slightly different direction as I read Philippians 1:27 today: “Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). Pam and I may have many possessions, but I’m reminded again today that this world is not ultimately our home. We are citizens of heaven, and that truth must change the way we live. Our lives are to so model Christ today that we bring no shame on the gospel. If we choose to live lives worthy of Christ, we will be much less likely to do anything that gives Satan a foothold in our lives.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you living a life worthy of the Lord today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, let me so honor You today that I give the Adversary no opportunity to mock Christ.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Philippians 2:12-4:23