<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="jer+9:17-24&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;Let">Jeremiah 9:17-24</span></span></p><p>Let';s review what we have said about God's character. We began by recognizing that in today's Church we seem more interested in knowing about ourselves than in knowing God. The result of being more man-centered than God-centered is increased anxiety, depression, and a hundred other ills. Quietly we have worked through the Scriptures and have seen that the God who is "there" for us to know is the God who has revealed Himself in many different ways: as powerful, personal, plural, having holy love, a God of wrath, trustworthy, gracious, all-knowing and all-wise. It's interesting isn't it, as our passage for today shows, that when the Lord talks about Himself in the Scriptures it is usually in terms of His attributes or character traits: kindness, justice, righteousness, and so on. And there is a clear and definite purpose in this: the more we know of God the more established our lives will be here on the earth. I myself am convinced that there is nothing more important than knowing God through contemplation of Him. And it must be understood that the knowledge I am talking about is not mere intellectual knowledge. The knowledge of God that comes through contemplation of Him is the ability to see life from His perspective, through His eyes. It means to look out at life's circumstances through the lens of faith, bearing in mind God's plan, to accept that whatever is happening is allowed by God and that everything comes under His personal surveillance. That kind of God-understanding and God-awareness is our only hope for coping with twentieth-century problems.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, I am convinced. I see that if I am to operate in a context of confidence I can only do so as I look out at life through Your eyes. Help me to do more than glance at You occasionally. Help me to gaze on You continually. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="php+3:1-11">Philippians 3:1-11</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="col+1:9-10">Colossians 1:9-10</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Paul's desire?</li><li>What did Paul pray for the Colossians?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

" I am the Lord, who exercizes kindness, justice and righteousness on earth " (v. 24)

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="php+3:1-14">Philippians 3:1-14</span></span></p><p>We spend one more day setting the stage before lifting the curtains on this most important subject of the nature and character of God. It must not be assumed from what has been said over the past couple of days that the study of Scripture and contemplation of the principles which God has built into His Word are unimportant. They most certainly are. What I am saying is this - let us be on our guard that we do not fall into the trap of contemplating the principles which God has built into the universe more than God Himself. I have often seen students of Scripture fall into this trap when, in reading their Bible, the only things that get their attention are the principles that relate to godliness. They underline them in their Bible, mark alongside them other Scriptural references, and think that by doing this they are growing spiritually. The problem, however, is that only the principles of daily personal godliness capture their interest; their heavenly Father does not. Imagine treating a love letter that way: identifying and underlining the principles, reflecting on the profundity of some of the insights, marvelling at the clarity of the language and yet missing the main purpose of the letter - romantic passion and love. Yet this is the way some people approach the Bible. Our aim in studying the nature and character of God must be to know God better (not merely know His Word better), and we must seek to enlarge our acquaintance not simply with the characteristics of His nature, but with the living God whose characteristics they are.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">O God, help me never to approach the Bible content to know only the written Word. Give me a passion that never remains satisfied until, through the written Word, I discover more of the living Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="re+2:1-7">Revelation 2:1-7</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="2co+5:14">2 Corinthians 5:14</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was the church in Ephesus commended for?</li><li>Why was this insufficient?</li></ul></div></div>

"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection " (v. 10)

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="heb+6:1-12">Hebrews 6:1-12</span></span></p><p>Quietly we are coming to see that it is only as we learn to dwell at God's right hand in fellowship with Christ that we can experience true happiness and joy. Despite the clear teaching of Jesus that happiness is a by-product of righteousness (becoming more and more like Christ), there are still thousands of Christians paying no more than lip service to this truth. Happiness is their goal, righteousness merely their desire. I am speaking generally when I make this next point, but sit down with any Christian who does not experience true happiness and you will find, deep within that person's heart, that they have never come to a clear understanding of this important principle uttered by Jesus: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." The same condition can be noted in nine out of ten people who seek help through Christian counselling. Ask them what they want to experience as they go through counselling, and they say, "I want to feel good", or "I want to feel happy." I imply no criticism or condemnation of these people, for I know that the same tendency exists in my own heart. Whenever I am struggling or hurting over some issue, my immediate desire is to get rid of the negative feelings and recover my lost happiness. But to try to find happiness is like trying to fall asleep. As long as you consciously and zealously try to grasp it, it fails to come. There is only one way: it is to do whatever you have to do in the situation to glorify Christ. Then happiness inevitably bubbles upward - as it must.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, I am so grateful that, as my Lover and my Redeemer, You corner my soul. Don't let me wriggle and apologise and slip past You. Help me to take my medicine, however bitter to the taste of self it may be. In Jesus' Name. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="php+3:1-11">Philippians 3:1-11</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="2co+13:11">2 Corinthians 13:11</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="eph+4:13">Ephesians 4:13</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="col+1:28">Colossians 1:28</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Paul's desire?</li><li>What was Paul's goal?</li></ul></div></div>

"Therefore let us ' go on to maturity '" (v. 1) 

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="lu+19:1-10">Luke 19:1-10</span></span></p><p>We spend one more day meditating on the first of the Beatitudes: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Dr Raymond Cramer, the minister and psychologist whom I mentioned earlier, says that in the psychology of Jesus, it is the one who has a problem that gets the Master's attention. When our Lord was here on earth, everyone needed Him, but only those who realised their need got His attention. It is often said that God rushes to the side of a person in need. That is not quite true. It would be more correct to say that God rushes to the side of the person who recognises and acknowledges their need. Those who recognise their need are to be congratulated, they are to be envied - they are candidates for the kingdom of heaven. We could translate this first Beatitude in the following manner without doing any injustice to the original statement of Jesus: "Congratulations to those who are humble and willing enough to recognise their need - for they are candidates for the help of God." Take it from me, there is no one in the kingdom of God who is not "poor in spirit". You cannot be filled until you are first empty. Salvation is not something earned, but something received. It is by grace we are saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God  (<span class="scriptRef" ref="eph+2:8">Ephesians 2:8</span>). The old hymn puts it in a way that is powerful and effective: Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling ' Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Saviour, or I die.</p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, thank You for helping me understand that to be "poor in spirit" is to recognise my utter helplessness in trying to save myself. I have nothing to give, but everything to receive. Humbly I bow and receive You now. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="php+3:1-9">Philippians 3:1-9</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="mr+10:28">Mark 10:28</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="lu+5:27-28">Luke 5:27-28</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="lu+18:29-30">Luke 18:29-30</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What was Paul's attitude?</li><li>What did Jesus require of the first disciples?</li></ul></div></div>

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." (v. 10)

<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="ga+6:1-18">Galatians 6:1-18</span></span></p><p>Whenever I hear a person saying that all religions are the same, my mind runs immediately to the cross. If what is found here is true (and I believe it is), and represents the meaning of life, then clearly all religions are not the same. No authentic note of divine self-sacrifice comes from other faiths. The cross stands out in absolute uniqueness. As Toplady put it in his beautiful hymn: In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering o'er the wrecks of time, All the light of sacred story Gathered round its head sublime. For weeks and months after I became a Christian I wondered why anyone should preach anything except the cross. The redemptive glowing mystery of it took hold of me in the early days of my conversion, and I think I can honestly say it has never ceased to magnetize my heart. Among the ancient inscriptions and paintings on the tombs of Egyptian kings, so I am told, one finds everywhere the symbol of the key of life. Strangely enough, it is in the form of a cross. Christ's cross is the only true key to life. This and this alone unlocks the doors to some of life's greatest mysteries. Other religions try, sometimes with great sincerity, to unlock the doors to these profound mysteries, but they are unsuccessful because they do not have the right key. They do not have a cross. </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Father, how can I cease thanking You for the cross? For in it I find the key that unlocks the door of many a mystery, not least the mystery of Your nature - a nature shot through with eternal love. Help me see it even more clearly. In Christ's Name. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="php+3:1-18">Philippians 3:1-18</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="col+2:14">Colossians 2:14</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="heb+12:2">Hebrews 12:2</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>What brought Paul to tears?</li><li>What has the cross abolished?</li></ul></div></div>

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (v. 14) 

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">2 </sup>Watch out for those dogs,   those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. </span></p>

Watch out for those dogs,<cr>1</cr>  those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

Philippians 3:2

 Watch out for those dogs,  those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh.

Philippians 3:2 NIV

Philippians 3:2 NIV

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