“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” Philippians 3:17 (NLT)
CHALLENGE
Seek a real and authentic relationship with Jesus and let go of the world’s way of self-promotion. Value others at Westheights, knowing that God has given them to encourage you.
PREPARATION
- Praise God for who He is
- Confess your sinfulness and need for cleansing
- Allow His Spirit to draw you near
- Listen as He speaks to you
REQUESTS
- Help me learn from other strong believers.
- Help me hold fast to Christ, seek to place Him and fulfill His purposes.
- Remind me to rejoice in the Lord always.
THANKSGIVING
- Thank God for hearing you.
- Trust that God is at work to accomplish His will.
OPTIONAL READINGS
- 1 Timothy 4:11-16
QUOTATION
“We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone … and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something .” – Sandra Day O’Connor
LIFE STORY
Paul is saying in this passage through his experience that one’s best goal in life is to know Christ Jesus and to be known by Him, not to be controlled by man-made religion or seek to be justified by self righteousness. No, faith in Christ’s sacrifice and power is sufficient to save us.
I’m so grateful that God has placed me in his family, to be connected to other believers at Westheights. We are brothers and sisters in Christ and God has given us each other to share our experiences and grow up as a strong body of believers. God often speaks to us through our Christian brothers and sisters. Those at Westheights who have gone through personal trials and tests and yet have held fast to the Lord Jesus have much valuable faith and comfort with which to encourage us all. They are like gold refined in the fire. These ones we can follow and pattern our lives after as Paul suggests.
I had a dear friend who was taken tragically in a car accident some years ago. He and I were so close I considered him a brother. He always took an interest in me and had an incredible gift of wisdom and seemed to always have an encouraging word for me whenever we got together. He had many tests and trials that could have discouraged him but I knew he always trusted the Lord would see him through. His life along with my Christian brothers and sisters at Westheights encourages me to continue to follow Jesus and build deeper relationships.
Contributed by: Paul Slater