Monday: Do You Want to Know a Secret? Read Philippians 4:10-13. What was Paul’s secret to being content? If you could bottle this idea and sell it, you would make a fortune. His complete faith and trust in the Lord allowed Paul to know that no matter what happened to him, God’s love would not fail. We can take on every situation through Christ. “Everything” doesn’t mean leaping tall buildings in a single bound or becoming wealthy. It does mean that Christ will be with us to strengthen us in every aspect of life. Pray that God will enter your heart so completely that you will gain strength and peace. 

 

Tuesday: Hard Earned Trust: Read 2Corinthians 6:5-13 and 11:21-30. When we look at Paul’s list of suffering for the Lord, we can understand when he says he can be content in every situation. What a list of difficulties! He knows why he can be content because “his life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). What are you going through now that would cause you not to trust God completely? Are there parts of your life where you blame God for trouble? God loves you no matter what. 

 

Wednesday: Titles, Rights and Privileges: Read Philippians 3:1-11. As a Jew, Paul’s resume was impressive. He had every birth right, training and character reference that made him elite in his ethnic society. Yet, once he encountered Jesus on the Damascus road (see Acts 9), he considered it nothing. Knowing Christ was the most important thing that shaped his life because this is where he found his true identity, not in what he could earn by the law or by human effort. Do you find your identity based on titles, relationships, rights or privileges? What if you lost all of it like Paul did in his life? He still had the priority of his life – his love for Jesus. What can you learn from Paul’s example? 

 

Thursday: What Can Separate Us From Christ’s Love? Read Romans 8:31b-39.   A natural disaster, like the Japanese Tsunami, the death of a loved one especially a child, or the loss of a job could leave us feeling like God has abandon us. We see in God’s word that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ. This fact gives you the ability to trust God completely. Are you struggling in an area of your life – Christ is with you in this time. Are you lonely and lost over a critical loss – Christ is with you in this time. Are you saddened for someone you love – Christ is with you (and them) in this time. I will be with you always was Jesus’ promise (Mt. 28-20). Count on it – Trust in it!

Friday: Trust in the Lord: Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Notice the inclusive language of this proverb – with all your heart and in all your ways. Completeness means all the time, everywhere. We lean on our own understanding a lot because it allows us to be in control and to control others. When we empty ourselves of our need to be in control, our pride, our fear and our manipulation of others, we’ll find that God will direct our paths. Do you acknowledge and thank God in all your ways? What are areas that you don’t? What areas won’t you humble yourself and trust in God with all of your heart? 

 

Saturday: Know Peace, Know God: Read John 14:23-27 and Philippians 4:4-7. The peace of God will allow us to live with an attitude of joy and gratitude. We can only find this when we pray about everything – with no anxiety and with thanksgiving. Until we have this radical trust in Jesus and go to this deeper level of relationship, we will trust in our human resources and abilities. Our being in the world depends on our trust level in God. When you trust God completely, you will find peace and joy that is not of the world. Your life will be changed. You will know Christ!