Who Is In Control?:
Discernment – Part 1
Scripture Reading: Philippians 1:3-11
Key Verse: Philippians 1:9-10
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ
The Apostle Paul reveals a promise to us in our printed key verse for today. He tells us we can have a spirit of discernment. Webster describes “discerning” as a revealing insight and understanding. What a powerful promise for us who want to choose the best over the good in life. As Paul wrote in the scripture for our first four devotionals, “everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.” The question for you today is: Do you want to move beyond the permissible to the best that this life has to offer? Not the best, as described by our world, but the real best that God offers to His children. If so, He knows we must discern (have insight and understanding) as we face the many options our society offers us!
One survey suggests that 90% of United States consumers listen to some form of audio media. Also, if Facebook were a nation, it would be the 4th largest in the world following China, India, and the United States. This same study found that 71% of teens, starting with the age of 12 years old, have a cell phone. That is up from 45% in just six years.
We need discernment in our society. There are so many possible issues that will ultimately do damage to our lives. Our family lives and the way we relate to each other are being changed radically. Tomorrow we will see if that is for the good.
Father, I tend to see all these options as a blessing, but I want your eyes and the ability to see their damage. I ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.