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Devotional for the week – 24 November 2008 Sermon Title: True Worship Expresses Something Beautiful It seems like crises flow one from another these days. This is bound to create anxiety, fear and insecurity in all of us. In today’s passage, Paul speaks about loss and we can learn a few things from him and from other characters in the bible on this topic. Losing to Gain Christ Paul writes about his illustrious Jewish religious background and upbringing. As a Jew, Paul had much to be proud of. Yet, Paul writes that he is willing to give up all he has to know Christ as what he presently has would be considered a loss if he does not know Christ. Knowing Christ transcends head knowledge. Paul was willing to give up all he had not because he was a man of failure with little to lose. On the contrary, he had much to be proud of but he knew what was more important. What about us? What is our perspective on loss? Paul was willing to lose his earthly heritage to gain Christ. Many of us are rich in the sense that we own many things but are so poor towards Christ. Sometimes, our losses in this world serve to turn us back to Christ. When you return to Christ, you will learn that He can do something beautiful in your life. It may not be something you have asked for. Christ is interested in your spiritual well being. Your loss may turn out to be great gain in Christ. Looking Up at Christ Job is another person in the bible who is well acquainted with loss. We read in the first few chapters of Job that Job was a man who was honest and upright, a God fearing man who was very wealthy and had many children. Over the course of a few days, Job lost everything, his flocks, wealth, children, health and the support of his wife and closest friends. Notice Job’s response. Although Job despaired, he also bowed down to worship God. Job knew who the real owner of everything he had was. God gave and God had every right to take away. Job’s worship of God did not take place in a church surrounded by a choir singing hymns. Job worshipped God in his heart. What is your response to loss? Today, God is looking for true worshippers, those who worship God in their hearts and not simply church goers. God knew the quality of Job’s heart and in the end, blessed Job with double of what Job had in the beginning. Our God is able to restore. Losing Much for Christ In Matthew 26:6-13, we read of another character who was willing to lose much for Christ and was commended for her actions. A woman came to Christ with expensive perfumes and poured them over Jesus. She knew who Jesus was and was willing to give of her best to her Lord. Those around her criticised her for not prioritising the poor and for wasting money. However, Jesus knew what was in her heart and gave her a high honour. Whenever the gospel is preached, what she had done would be told in memory of her. What have you been giving or willing to lose that will be well remembered by Christ? Prayer Response Our Father in heaven, we pray for forgiveness where we have prioritised our material wealth over You. Please help us recognise Your kingship that as You give, You can also take away. Help us to return to trusting You for Your provision of our daily needs. Help us also to desire to worship You and put You first in our lives. We pray for these things in Jesus’ name. Amen. Devotional based on a message by Rev Lee Yam Kai
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