Philippians 1

Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ- to the glory and praise of God.

God manages to put the text that I needed to hear in today's devo. I sinned in terms of lust. I feel dirty and disappointed at myself. I feel like I disappointed my boyfriend and God. I can't shake this feeling off. I look back at what happened and ask myself why I did what I did.

I'm thankful to have a boyfriend who constantly points me back to Christ. Christ has forgiven us from all our sins by going on that cross. All I need to do is repent, see what I did wrong, learn from my mistakes, and let it go. I'm trying to let it go, reminding myself that I'm not perfect and that everyone makes mistakes.

This verse motivates me to spend more quiet time in Scripture because through my ever growing bank of scriptural knowledge, I become more and more aligned to Christ. The temptations and sins that once got me would not be able to get me if I can root myself in what's right and true. Allowing the Spirit to transform and harvest the fruit of righteousness in me is what I need.

Paul is put in chains for proclaiming the Gospel. How far will you go to share the Gospel to those around you haven't heard of the saving love of Jesus?

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

It is a strong proclamation that even I don't think I can say yet. Paul had such great confidence and security in Jesus that living and dying is almost the same: it is for Christ. Being so meek and fragile in the human nature this is something that I try to do, and eventually whether in this lifetime or the next I can proclaim just like Paul.

Philippians 1:27-29
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel, without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved- and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Am I living a life worthy of the Gospel. Sometimes. And that's ok. God knows that we are not perfect and are tempted by things of the world, but God will do what He can to bring us back to him. We need to look only at God and His outstretched arms and run towards that. I need to stand firm in my faith and not be ashamed of what I believe and live for.

The Christian walk was never meant to be easy. It's full of obstacles and challenges that may take you down. The important question is whether you'll get back up and out of the rut.

We bear one another's burdens and suffer together for the sake of Christ.