Only Christ

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Only Christ

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

¹And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. ² For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

Galatians 6:14

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

Philippians 3:8, 10

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death….

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Colossians 3:3-4

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Devotional:

As we have begun to walk past Easter this year, I have been deeply moved by the effects of having Jesus in my life. My daughter is beginning to grasp the truth of God’s Word, and I am so grateful to be raising our children as believers in a believing home. I had this gift, however imperfect, and as my sweet mentor was encouraging me last night, the truth of God’s Word has reaped a harvest in my life even though I had turned away for a time. God is so good.

As a prodigal returning to the Father, I poured my entire life into knowing His Word. Sixteen years since, I have not stopped loving His Word. He has revealed much to me in my adult relationship with Him, and placed a deep calling on my heart to share what He has taught.

Thanks be to God for His knowledge and wisdom.

Still….there is much to learn throughout my life, and I will never attain full understanding. As I dig in, knowledge and understanding are taking a back seat to wanting Christ and His cross to be at the center of my existence.

I strive to know only Christ, and Him crucified.

To take my cross daily. To soberly and vigilantly follow Him. To walk without complaining the path He has chosen for me, that we together might usher others into His presence. And absolutely not due to my knowledge….but due to His cross.

Let the cross eclipse your challenges today. Fix your eyes on the crucified, buried and RISEN Savior Who has paid the ransom for your every day. Strive only to know Him, and Him crucified!

Prayer:

Lord, I ask that You would strip away anything that takes away from knowing You today. I ask that I would not be seeking something else, something more, something better. You are my hope, You are my peace.

I give my life to You, and ask that You will choose how to use me.

In my home, teach me to pour my life out on behalf of (my spouse and) children. I give my agendas to You and ask that Your agenda be written on my heart.

I lift up my child(ren) today and ask that Your cross also be centered in their hearts and lives. Let the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and their awareness of the One True God, be real and vibrant to them.

I bring (area of need or concern) to You for Your total transformation. You alone are able to intervene. Give me wisdom, and teach me to release this to You.

In Jesus’ mighty Name I pray, amen.