The Daily Guide-The Daily Devotional grow. pray. study. The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection of Leawood, Kansas, United States for New Year's Eve, Thursday 31 December 2015 - "Christ’s life-changing redemption"
Daily Scripture: Philippians 3:3 For it is we who are the Circumcised, we who worship by the Spirit of God and make our boast in the Messiah Yeshua! We do not put confidence in human qualifications, 4 even though I certainly have grounds for putting confidence in such things. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for putting confidence in human qualifications, I have better grounds:
a. 5 b’rit-milah on the eighth day,
b. by birth belonging to the people of Isra’el,
c. from the tribe of Binyamin,
d. a Hebrew-speaker, with Hebrew-speaking parents,
e. in regard to the Torah, a Parush,
f. 6 in regard to zeal, a persecutor of the Messianic Community,
g. in regard to the righteousness demanded by legalism, blameless.
7 But the things that used to be advantages for me, I have, because of the Messiah, come to consider a disadvantage. 8 Not only that, but I consider everything a disadvantage in comparison with the supreme value of knowing the Messiah Yeshua as my Lord. It was because of him that I gave up everything and regard it all as garbage, in order to gain the Messiah 9 and be found in union with him, not having any righteousness of my own based on legalism, but having that righteousness which comes through the Messiah’s faithfulness, the righteousness from God based on trust.
Reflection Questions:
As a New Year approaches, it’s natural for most of us to take stock of our life, reviewing where we’ve been and looking ahead to where we hope to go. The apostle Paul took stock of his life in his letter to the Philippians. He said that, in the past, he had human “credentials” that could match the best, a promising career as a member of the Jewish ruling council. But he’d written off all those “assets” in order to know Christ and live in his gift of righteousness.
- Review Paul’s list of “assets” in verses 5 and 6. What might be some modern equivalents to which we’d be tempted to lay claim, in church, in business, in the academic world, or in any other area of activity? What heart issues could turn these outward badges of service and achievement into things we’d need to discard in order to serve Christ wholeheartedly?
- “In Christ,” Paul wrote, “I have a righteousness that is not my own and that does not come from the Law but rather from the faithfulness of Christ. It is the righteousness of God that is based on faith.” Is whatever righteousness you believe you have “your own,” or does your confidence rest fully on God’s gracious gift of divine righteousness through Christ?
Today’s Prayer:
O Lord, my prayer this New Year’s Eve is, as the old hymn said, “Live out thy life within me, O Jesus, king of kings.” Dwell in my heart as the New Year begins. Amen.
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Insights from Janelle Gregory
Janelle Gregory serves on the Resurrection staff as a Human Resources Specialist.This is it – the last day of 2015. Another year in the books. Between Christmas-card letters and social media, I’m sure you’ve been hearing a lot of “my year in review.” I love reading the updates of friends and family. You get to find out who got a new job, who traveled out of the country, who has a new baby, who has had health issues. If you’re lucky, those last ones are pretty general. I once got a letter from a lady who shared about her bout with diarrhea. “Merry Christmas! I had the runs!” Ewww.
I could share with you some of my own 2015 highlights (none of which would involve gastrointestinal issues), but I thought that maybe today we’d do something a little different. I’m going to challenge us all to think back over this past year. You could probably pick out a few meaningful events that stand out amongst the rest. But beyond looking at what we did or did not do or accomplish, I’m wondering if it wouldn’t be beneficial to ponder what God did in our lives this last year.
So stop and think – where did you see God in 2015? How did he move in your life? In what ways did he direct you? How did he comfort or encourage you? When did you feel his presence?
It’s valuable to take stock of where God has been and what he’s been up to over the last year. Understanding how he’s previously moved just might change how we approach our unknown future.
So whether you’re ready for it or not, the clock will strike midnight tonight. 2016 is knocking at our door. I’m certain God has great things in store for you in the year ahead. But before you drive off into the future, take just a moment to check your review mirror.
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"Happy New Year! Here's what's happening..." Normal Heights United Methodist Church of San Diego, California, United States with Senior Pastor, Reverend Brent Ross for New Year's Eve, Thursday, 31 December 2015
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