17/05/2022
*DAILY ENCOUNTER DEVOTIONAL FOR TUESDAY, MAY 17TH, 2022*
*Hymn:* BH 315: I Would Be True
*Text*: Philippians 3:1-8a
1
NIV:Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.
2
NIV:Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.
3
NIV:For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—
4
NIV:though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
5
NIV:circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee;
6
NIV:as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
7
NIV:But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
8
NIV:What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
*RBT Passage*: 2 Chronicles 35-36
*TOPIC*: AUTHENTIC CHRISTIAN LIVING
*GOLDEN TEXT*: For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God byhis Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, who put noconfidence in the flesh. *Philippians 3:3, NIV*
Different people have different interests which are important in differing degrees, but all of us have our lives largely marked by, if not controlled by, those interests that we deem to be the most important. As a matter of fact, people become known for their particular trade or profession and others for their religious involvement.
Paul shared three distinctions between genuine believers and impostors in today's passage. One,genuine believers are born of and led by the Holy Spirit to live for God and serve Him, while fake believers live legalistic live.
Two, genuine believers acknowledge God as the source of all their achievements and are humble enough to give Him all the glory for the achievements, while fake believers see their wisdom,influence, abilities, etc. , as the sources of their achievements and boast about them.
Lastly, genuine believers recognise the limitations of the human nature in accomplishing God's purposes and are always praying and depending on the Holy Spirit to help them,while fake believers see themselves as self-sufficient. There is nothing you have that you have not received from God.
You must constantly acknowledge God in all you have become and also be ready to sacrifice your all in pursuit of God's will. These are the hallmark of an authentic believer.
Are you a genuine Christian or a fake one?Are you willing to leave everything you have achieved for the course of Christ?You must die to pride and self-praise daily so that you can live for God.
*Perceive:* - The Spirit of God makes the difference between Christians and impostors.
*Ponder:* - Are there attributes of fake Christians in you?
*Practice:* - List 10 characteristics of genuine Christians and share with someone today.
*Prayer:* - Lord, mold us after Your will.
*Prayer:* - Search me,Lord, and show where I am falling short in my walk with You.
THE ALMIGHTY GOD WILL GUIDE AND LEAD YOU. HE'LL GIVE YOU VICTORY OVER ALL STRUGGLE.