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I Want to Know Christ

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I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

Philippians 3:10

Paul endured his suffering because it brought him closer to Christ, and he knew that being closer to Christ was worth his suffering. It’s during the hard times in life that we seek the Lord for his guidance, strength, endurance, and love.  Christ gives us the power, comfort, and confidence to endure anything that Satan puts in our path.

The apostle Paul desired to participate in his suffering so he could be closer to Christ. Paul reveals how great it is to have a close loving relationship with Christ. I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far. (Philippians 1:23) Paul’s desire was to leave this life so he could be with Christ. It’s a divine feeling to be so close to the Lord that it cannot be fully described, but it’s like a peaceful, loving, secure feeling that can only come from God.

We live in a world where hard times exist, some easy and some very difficult, but let them all drive you closer to the Lord. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) The comfort from the Lord is more powerful than comfort from the world; it has divine power.

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:12) We persevere through the strength of the Lord through our close, loving relationship. The Lord’s love is so powerful and if He reveals it to us, it could almost release us from the world. The Lord gives us the divine strength to persevere because being close to the Lord is so unbelievably great, we overcome the world. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

Today, let every difficulty in life draw you closer to the Lord to gain His divine power to endure. The Lord’s love gives peace, His power comforts us, and His strength enables us to endure.

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for your love and your power to carry me through life in your strength and endurance. I surrender my life to you and please guide me, through the Spirit, to be a Light in this world pointing lost souls to the Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.