the prophecy of a lifestyle
"My prayer is that your love may more and more abound, both in understanding and wealth of experience, so that with a clear conscience and blameless conduct you may learn to value the things that really matter, up to the very day of Christ." —Philippians 1:9-10
Paul prayed that the Philippians would "learn to value the things that really matter." He wanted their relationship with Christ to shine a light on their priorities, surpass them in importance, and cause them to reappraise all as loss (Phil 3:7-8). Once the Philippians had forfeited everything because of their love for Jesus and accounted all else dung, Christ would truly be their Wealth (Phil 3:8). Therefore, they would have learned to value the things that really matter by valuing the One Who really matters, Jesus Christ.
Do your priorities seem insane to those "set upon the things of this world"? (Phil 3:19) Are others surprised or even threatened by the changes in your life? Are you worth persecuting? (see 2 Tm 3:12) Has your relationship with Christ had a dramatic effect on your lifestyle? Does your life make sense only to those who know Jesus personally? Are you "crucified to the world"? (Gal 6:14) Do you "find that the world hates you"? (Jn 15:18) Is your lifestyle in the same Spirit as that of the early Church after Pentecost? Unless Jesus is Lord of our lifestyle, He's not Lord of our lives.
Prayer: Father, may my lifestyle be a clear prophecy of Your presence, love, and truth.
Promise: "He took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way." —Lk 14:4
Praise: Knowing that a high pressure job would bring out the worst in him, Jerry sacrificially chose a lower paying profession for the sake of his salvation and that of his family.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape, Prophetic Lifestyle, on audio AV 75-3 or video V-75.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004