Philippians 3:8 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.

I am fascinated, even amused, that this is the reading for today, when this echoes the main Scripture in yesterday’s message, Psalm 119:14, and in that message I also quoted verses 12-14, which are at the end of today’s passage! The Lord gave me yesterday’s message when I was having a time of Bible study online with a pastor friend in northern Japan, and we are working through Psalms. God knows everything, and His Word is remarkably unified. Knowing such a God, who is not only omniscient and omnipotent, but also loves us enough to die for us, is indeed worth more than everything else put together! That awareness is a major part of the Biblical worldview that is so sadly lacking, even among Christians. When we fail to see the universe as God’s creation, and us as accountable to Him, then all sorts of things get out of balance. That’s why the willfully disobedient will cry out in sheer terror for the mountains to fall on them when Christ returns in glory. (Revelation 6:16) There is no avoiding our accountability to our Creator! When we have a genuinely Biblical world-view, we can have peace no matter what is going on around us. That doesn’t mean at all that we are to be passive, not participating in society, but it does mean that we have the assurance that regardless of our observed circumstances, that isn’t the final answer. When we really know Christ and are planted in Him, then everything else fades into insignificance.

I was very encouraged the other day when my own daughter quoted the little song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, not to sing it but to stress that everything temporal fades in comparison to Him. Paul only had spiritual children, but I certainly understand his words in various of his letters expressing his joy when his children were walking with God. I only have two genetic daughters, but I do have quite a few spiritual children – my daughters included – and nothing gives me more joy and satisfaction than when they live out a Biblical worldview. Yesterday’s message was about the value of God’s Word in everything. We can’t have a Biblical worldview if we don’t know the Bible! I was very pleased when several people after the service looked for, and took home, the little explanations of the SOAP devotional system that I had mentioned were in the foyer. I want all of my spiritual children to have an intimate, active relationship with Father God, hearing and listening to Him daily, so that together we may be and do all that He desires, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for Your presence in the service, and in the fellowship afterward. I do pray that we may be fully responsive and obedient to You, so that Your rule and reign may be established in this place as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!