Today’s devotion is from Philippians 1:21-24
‘For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.’
Paul the Apostle chose to live and not die for the sake of others. Life should not be totally focused on ourselves, our benefits, our likes, our needs and the things that are important to us.
Our lives should be focused on the High calling of God, the preaching of the gospel to every creature, the priorities of the Kingdom and the needs of our fellow believers.
I have heard some say, “I don’t feel like going to church today, or I don’t need church, I don’t get anything out of church, I don’t like the songs they sing at church, or I don’t like all of the hugging of necks and the shaking of hands…” A big part of going to church is about others; others need us at that church, others are encouraged when we demonstrate wholehearted worship at church and for others. Your hug may be the only hug someone gets for the whole week, your friendly handshake may be the only warmth that another may get for the whole week! What we take for granted, or what we get irritated at, may be what others live for.
