Your Neighbor is God Appointed
Living What We Know

Scripture Reading:  Philippians 3:12-20

Key Verse: Philippians 3:16

Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

In the past few days we have been studying the fact that God has divine appointments for us.  I don’t think that these happen every day, but certainly God has special assignments for all His children throughout their lives here on earth.

In today’s scripture, the Apostle Paul warns of one situation that we must be careful about if we want God to continue to reveal His will in our lives.  In our printed key verse we are told to “live up to what we have already attained.”  In other words, make sure you are doing what God has already convinced you that you ought to be doing!  We should not expect God to reveal new adventures for us if we are living in disobedience.

In my business as a pastor, I talk to many people who are looking for spiritual guidance.  They come to me wanting God to show them what they ought to do in some difficulty.  Unfortunately, some of these are living a sinful lifestyle.  They admit it and feel bad about it, but don’t stop it.  I kindly try to explain that God can’t bless them with new direction and instructions until they are obedient to what they already know is His will for their lives.

The all important question for today is: Are you living up to what God has convinced you is right and true?

Father, I will say yes to your will and your way.  I will obey all that you have already convinced me of and be ready for new instructions!  In Jesus’ name, amen.