I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:10-11 NIV
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Philippians 13:10-11 MSG
Knowing Christ is our greatest gift and power in life. When we are able to recognize that it is knowing Him that lets peace and joy permeate all the areas of our life we are willing and ready to give up everything.
Our knowledge of His resurrection power is fortified by our closeness to Him. We know Him better the more often we are close with Him. It is just like any relationship. A closeness is fostered the more time we devote and proximity we have.
This is how we can have joy in suffering. We are able to praise and sing in the midst of all our circumstances, because we are partnered with Christ. As we obey drawing close to Him, He is able to strengthen us to walk through death and to resurrection.
It is in our acknowledgement of how we walk each day that we are able to access His resurrection power. In this way we are no longer getting closer to death each day, but rather, gaining more life with each breath.
Considerations for your planner:
- How much time do you devote to God? Do you sense that He is close? Write down the ways you devote time to Him and if You could make more time for Him.
A Prayer for Our Community:
God, Be with us as we walk through our day. We want You to draw closer to You with every conversation we have, every action we take, and every situation we find ourselves in. Help us to stand in Your strength and not our own. We acknowledge today and each day from here that it is Your resurrection power that gives us more life. We lean into that and not our own understanding of how to live as the world instructs us. Amen.
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences and prayers. We'd love to hear a story or prayer about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
