“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht   

“Homily Grits Devotional”   http://www.homilygrits.com/ 

Written by the wise 83 yr old Robert VanHoose, who writes “Homily Grits Devotional” above: 

May 26
Read Philippians 3 &
Psalm 52

                 “Striving or Thriving”

“Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,”    Philippians 1:27  (NLT)

     Internal bickering and quarreling seems to be the devil’s distraction of choice for hindering the mission of Christ’s church.  All of the energy wasted on “fluff” leaves little left to spend on the real “stuff” of spreading the gospel and making disciples.

We engage in worship wars and internal disputes with little regard for seeking God’s perspective. 

The Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day spent most of their time on the fluff of outward observances, and in quarrelling about everything Jesus did from healing on the Sabbath, to saving sinners.

It is interesting to note that Jesus reserved his harshest words and criticisms for the hypocrisy and self righteousness of the religious leaders of the day.

The striving that leads to thriving in a body of believers or in our own walk with the Lord, is the energetic pursuit of the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

When we spend our energy loving God and loving others, we will find that our souls are thriving by receiving the Love of God through a close and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and passing it on by modeling the love of Christ to others into every area of the world where God has planted us.

When we strive by pressing on in faith and keeping our eye on the problem solver instead of the problem, we will thrive on the outpouring of God’s grace that will keep our minds attention and hearts affection abiding in Christ.

Father, help me to live striving instead of “strife” ing.  In Jesus’ name, Amen