OCTOBER 24 - TO LIVE IS CHRIST
READ Philippians 1
Paul urges us to have his perspective: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v. 21).
INSIGHT
With Paul’s perspective on life, he cannot lose. Wherever he is, Paul considers it “the world” into which the Lord wants him to go to preach the Gospel. Even prison is a positive experience for Paul, because he is able to spread the Gospel there. And if he is to die, that is even better. To live is fruitful ministry, but to die is gain. Most of us have our affections too deeply implanted in the things of this world to identify with Paul’s perspective. We must learn to let go.
PRAYER
The Lord is worthy of our praise:
Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you! You show faithful love to thousands but lay the fathers’ iniquity on their sons’ laps after them, great and mighty God whose name is the Lord of Armies, the one great in counsel and powerful in action. Your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men in order to reward each person according to his ways and as the result of his actions (Jeremiah 32:17-19).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Be gracious to me, God,
According to your faithful love;
According to your abundant compassion,
Blot out my rebellion.
Completely wash away my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I am conscious of my rebellion,
And my sin is always before me
(Psalm 51:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Then pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).
Paul urges us to have his perspective: “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (v. 21).
INSIGHT
With Paul’s perspective on life, he cannot lose. Wherever he is, Paul considers it “the world” into which the Lord wants him to go to preach the Gospel. Even prison is a positive experience for Paul, because he is able to spread the Gospel there. And if he is to die, that is even better. To live is fruitful ministry, but to die is gain. Most of us have our affections too deeply implanted in the things of this world to identify with Paul’s perspective. We must learn to let go.
PRAYER
The Lord is worthy of our praise:
Oh, Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you! You show faithful love to thousands but lay the fathers’ iniquity on their sons’ laps after them, great and mighty God whose name is the Lord of Armies, the one great in counsel and powerful in action. Your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men in order to reward each person according to his ways and as the result of his actions (Jeremiah 32:17-19).
Pause for praise and thanksgiving. Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Be gracious to me, God,
According to your faithful love;
According to your abundant compassion,
Blot out my rebellion.
Completely wash away my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I am conscious of my rebellion,
And my sin is always before me
(Psalm 51:1-3).
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Then pray this affirmation to the Lord:
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: Though he was rich, for your sake he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
- An eternal perspective
- Your ministry in your local church
- Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21).
A Dogwood Church Discipleship Ministry Resource. © Walk Thru the Bible 2025.