MARCH 6, Philippians 1:19-21

Apostle Paul wrote in his letter: “For to me to live is Christ:” By that, Paul had simply declared that Christ is his everything. Christ is the reason and purpose of life. He was determined to live for Christ and to live like Christ.

Let us take a look at Paul’s Christian life. Being filled with the Spirit of Christ; he put his soul, heart and mind into preaching Christ to sinners. He knew how much Christ loves them. His first priority was to magnify Christ. To magnify Christ meant to do things that would put Jesus first, and give Jesus the glory. For that, he suffered persecutions, shipwrecks and beatings as he travelled to preach the gospel of Christ and to establish churches at cities near the Mediterranean Sea. Despite his sufferings, he served the Lord God with great joy.

Why did Paul have to suffer? He had given up his accolades, ambitions and possessions to serve God. Shouldn’t God make things easy and comfortable for him? Not so. It is because Christ had called him into a ministry where he had to suffer for Christ’s sake. Like Christ, Paul was an obedient and faithful servant of God.

For Paul, life is all about knowing Christ and making Christ known to sinners. Do you have the same desire in your heart as Paul did? Every Christian ought to.

Color these words of Philippians 1:21

Thought: Christ is everything to me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to put You first in my life. Even as I study and play and do other things, putting You first would mean being faithful in reading the Bible and being a good child. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.