“⁷But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—¹⁰that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:7-11 (ESV)

I need to give up on my attainment and recognition here in this world. Everything that I have gained here, is “rubbish”. I should focus on the task of gaining “Christ” and being “found in him”.

Paul is clear in Chapter 3 of Philippians that if anyone could count himself as worthy, it would be he. His status prior to following Christ was one of importance and learned. He was revered and even was a persecutor of Christians. However, even he counted all of that recognition and notoriety as fleeting based on his new found goals of “becoming like” Christ.

Paul was jailed, and persecuted for his beliefs and his following of Christ, and yet he counted himself as content as he knew and understood his place here and his coming reward in heaven.

“¹¹Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 (ESV)

I should be taking my cues from Paul as he wrote to the Philippians and be content. I should be counting everything as the rubbish it is today and be looking forward to my reward in heaven.

What are you looking to for your worth? Are you seeing your accomplishments and recognition here as a representation of your worth? Are you able to look to Christ for your worth?

I remember years ago and a trip made to Disney World. I was there with a few friends and it was about time for the electric parade in the evening. We had not taken on Space Mountain as of yet due to the extended wait time for that ride. So, we skipped the parade and went for the ride. As predicted, the line was short and we were able to get through pretty quickly. So quickly in fact that we rode again 3 more times in about an hour.

“¹⁶The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. ¹⁸For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” – Romans 8:16-18 (ESV)

How does my story relate to the verses above? Well here goes. In our trip to Disney World and related to Space Mountain, we determined that the suffering of the long wait times (approximately 2 hours) for the ride were not worth the 90 second ride we would experience. I was comparing the suffering of the wait with the thrill of the ride, and decided that they did not measure up.

Boy was I wrong. You see, I loved the ride, so much so that we went back through and rode again 3 more times. We took the easy way and quantity was overflowing. But, the cost of that quantity was apathy to the overall experience. My disdain for the suffering negatively affected my enjoyment to the point that I don’t even really remember the ride so much as the fact that we rode 4 times in about an hour.

I find myself angry with God due to the seemingly lack of reward for the work I am doing here in this world. I am comparing my suffering of persecution to the glory of my reward in heaven. I am more concerned with all of the obstacles that I am not able to look forward to the reward of glory and that is creating my apathy to the rewards to come.

I have to look at the reward and know that the suffering I will/may/do endure of are no comparison to the glory I will experience. I have to remember that I am here to glorify God and not to please myself. I cannot compare my suffering with the reward.

What have you been avoiding due to the suffering you may have to endure? Are you really wanting that, or only wanting to complete the task quickly? Are you spending too much time comparing the suffering with the reward?

This morning I was brought to Proverbs 10 in my study of “worth”. As I read through and study, what is clear to me is that our choices have worth. I am reminded of the consequences of every choice we make. Regardless of the depth or importance of our choices, we are still responsible for the later effect of those choices, just as we are responsible for the immediate impact.

“¹⁹When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. ²⁰The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, the heart of the wicked is of little worth.” – Proverbs 10:19-20 (ESV)

In just these two verses, I see that what we say and when we say it displays our worth. Either restraint and goodness with wealth of wisdom, or loose tongues and wickedness with wealth of missteps. I have to remember that no matter the direction I choose to go, I am still responsible for those choices.

I have to remember each day to live out my mission and values as I strive for the wealth provided by God.

Mission: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love.”

Values: Be the Example / Love / Authenticity / Encourage

I have a choice to live these out with that choice. I have the choice to demonstrate these. With that choice comes great responsibility, and my acceptance of that responsibility determines the worth of those choices.

Are you aware of the choices you make each and all day? Are you looking to make the “right” choices? Are you utilizing your choices to determine the worth of you gains?

“¹²But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ¹³Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.” – Job 28:12-13 (ESV)

Job is asking the questions that we should be asking about the location to find wisdom and understanding. He then follows that up with a declaration of us not knowing where and what the true worth are.

I struggle daily with knowing about wisdom and understanding. I am searching for them all the time. I read, I study, I pray. All for the revelation of wisdom and understanding. I must not be ready in my path for I have yet to determine either of them as far as I can see. I am going to have to keep seeking.

But, what is the true worth of wisdom and understanding. Only God knows. In verses 15-19 of Job 28, no jewels or precious metals can be used to determine the worth. And verses 23-27 indicate that only God knows the location of wisdom and understanding.

“²⁸And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’” – Job 28:28 (ESV)

Are we seeking for wisdom and understanding, or are we of the belief we have found it? How are we placing value on them? Are we aware of the worth of wisdom?

“¹²For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Have you heard of your conscience? Well I have seen a number of places where my conscience is depicted as a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. Whereas that is not exactly accurate to define our conscience, it is a visual that we can relate to.

When I am about to take action, I have a choice to make and that choice determines to some degree the outcome that will come. As you look at the verse I study this morning, you can see that the Word of God is stronger than any other voice out there in what can be accomplished. When choosing the Word of God, I have a way to get through anything, no matter the severity of it.

God’s Word is that which gives strength, comfort, wisdom, power, and love. God’s Word provides security and safety, compassion and judgment. I have all I need in the Word of God.

Now how do I tap into the Word of God if it provides all I need? Simply listening. Be still and listen. Open my ears, mind, heart and listen. Not for a moment, but always. Not when I have difficulty, but always. Not when I have fear, but always. God’s Word is for all times and in all situations.

When you are going along, are you aware of the power of God’s Word? Are you looking for answers, where? Are you listening for and to God’s Word?

“²⁹For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” – 1 Corinthians 11:29 (ESV)

I am a child of God and in as much should act that way at all times. When in public, when in private, when with other children of God, when taking of the Lord’s Supper. I am responsible for being responsible.

When I am taking the Lord’s Supper, I am remembering Jesus Christ and the sacrifice He made for me. I am certainly not worthy of taking, however God provided this as an outward representation of my commitment to living a life as Christ. If I am not reverent with this simple act, what drives me to be reverent with other more overt and visible actions.

When you are in a position of taking the Lord’s Supper, where are you? Are you in a position of reverence? Are you acting accordingly?

“⁹Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” – Hosea 14:9 (ESV)

I find myself stumbling and not sure why. Well my reading this morning certainly helps with that. I am not always keen on what it is I am to be doing and where it is I am to be going as indicated by God. It is me. I am not staying in full open contact with the Lord at all times. I am simply looking to him when I stumble for help getting out of it.

I need to be diligent in shining the Lord on the path ahead fro myself. You see, I stumble on things I cannot see that I do not expect to be there. Have you ever stubbed your toe in the dark of the night on your way to the kitchen or bathroom? I know that I have. Although that would have been avoided had I just shined a light on the path and known what was in the way. I have the light of the Lord that I can shine at all times to avoid the toe stubbing and tripping.

I know that I have noticed that when I am spending my quality time with the Lord, the amount of stumbles I encounter are drastically reduced. I seem to trip up most often when I have taken my eyes off of my Lord thinking I am able to get along without His guidance. When I am focused on my Lord, my path is clearer and the obstacles are minimized, or at least I can see them to avoid them.

When you are walking along, is your path lighted or do you find yourself stubbing your toe on those items you cannot see? Are you focused on carrying the light of your path? Are you seeing the way forward?

I am a pretty smart person, but when it comes to doing things that are pleasing to and in glory of God, I may not be as smart as I think I am.

“⁴Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist.” – Proverbs 23:4 (ESV)

No matter how smart I might be, I will be tempted by the ways of the world. There are some really enticing things happening that capture out attention: financial wealth, elevated status, “friends”. But what about my true wealth?

I have all I need in my relationship with Christ. That relationship is one that keeps me in the right frame of mind. It keeps me seeking after more that are pleasing to and in glory of God. I only need but to listen to the voice He gives me.

Riches, “friends”, status, will all be there today, and could be gone tomorrow. Real wealth in my relationship with Christ is something that cannot and will not fade. As long as I am investing back in that relationship. The only thing I should be asking for from the relationship is wisdom and a discerning heart and mind to be sure that what I seek is true.

What are you looking for from God? What actions are you taking to gain it? Are you seeking for wisdom and a discerning heart and mind?

Have I been asking the Lord for the right things in my prayers. I have been asking for guidance and direction, and I believe them to be the right things. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead the people of God.

“⁹Give you servant therefore and understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” – 1 Kings 3:9 (ESV)

Even as a small child, Solomon was asking for the right things. When I look at my asking for guidance and direction, it appears as though I am looking for the map to get where I am supposed to go. But, I should be looking for simple understanding of where to end up instead of the instructions for each step.

I know I said just above that I should be looking for simple understanding, and the truth is that understanding is not simple at all. But, the concept of only looking for understanding is simple. I may be making it too complicated for myself in my prayers and should use the old adage of K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Stupid.

“²⁴The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.” – Proverbs 17:24 (ESV)

Solomon was a great king and his wisdom was highest in the land. Shouldn’t I heed the words of him in my own pursuits as noted in the verse above?

When you are looking at your requests to God, what are they looking like? Are you making it too complicated for you to even understand? Are you asking for the right things?

I find myself daily struggling with where I belong and am I where God has me. You see, I am a man and as such, am very stubborn. My stubbornness requires some pretty overt conditions for me to be aware. God makes it easier on me as I know that He is directing me. But am I able to decide, not always. I have personality traits that drive me to ask more questions and analyze things so deeply that seeing an answer is sometimes delayed and to late because I could not make the decision.

I work hard to find answers, and that leads me into some area where I should probably not go. I find myself engaging with those that are looking for personal gain only and the answers they provide are there to make themselves look a certain way. God warns against that.

“⁷Therefore do not become partners with them; ⁸for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light ⁹(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), ¹⁰and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:7-10 (ESV)

I should be seeking that which is good and “pleasing to the Lord”. What that means here to me is that I should certainly look for answers with others, but when I do not find the good and pleasing to God, I should move on to elsewhere.

“¹⁴And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake of the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.” – Matthew 10:14 (ESV)

There is no reason for me to keep pouring into what I know to be less than pleasing to God, once it is clear there is no heart for pleasing the Lord. I should be working to please God and in my daily walk in this world I should be looking for good as a way of tackling the decisions that come my way.

Are you looking for the right way to attack certain decisions that come your way? What has been your approach so far? Is your approach one where you are trying to “discern what is pleasing to the Lord?