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 forfeited everything because of their love for Jesus and accounted all else rubbish, Christ would truly be their Wealth (Phil 3:8). Thus 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 Jesus 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: Anne lives on contributions of her Home-based Community, volunteering for the Lord’s work full-time.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Prophetic Lifestyle, order, listen to, or download our CD 75-3 or DVD 75 on our website.)
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from October 1, 2020 through November 30, 2020. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio February 25, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.