I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

— Galatians 2:20

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

— Philippians 3:8

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

— Romans 12:2

10 … Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God.

11 They have overcome him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives even unto death.

— Revelation 12:10-11

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and salvation from Christ to you.

Jesus died on the cross so we can live a redeemed life and be with Him forever. Our redeemed life with Christ connects us with the supply of what Christ is, His heavenly riches, and the most important of all, God Himself. Jesus Christ died to Himself and surrendered His all to His Father’s will. If we want to participate more in His victory over the evil one, we likewise should die to our own interests, priorities, and plans, and surrender what this world values to seek what Christ honors.

Let’s be encouraged and strengthened greatly in our inner being for the reward of excellency that the Lord calls us to gain even when our cross involves more than the normal challenges of life. Our surrendering to God brings daily opportunities to choose God’s will over our own. Let this be our testimony that God’s pleasure matters more than our comfort because sacrifice or loss that obeying Christ requires is worth it. Let’s follow the dear brothers who have overcome and proclaim: We have overcome Satan the accuser by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of our testimony.