Thursday, March 4

Begin by reading once again these verses from Psalm 1 – focus this time on what it means to sink your spiritual roots into God’s word:

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not whither. Whatever he does prospers.

Prayer: Thank God for his word – and for spending time with you today.

Philippians 3:20-4:1
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

If you have ever traveled outside the United States – you have a passport. Your passport is proof of your citizenship in the U.S.A. It means you have the privileges, rights and responsibilities of your homeland. It also usually means you speak and behave in ways consistent with that homeland. Paul is encouraging us to remember that, as followers of Jesus, we are citizens of heaven – with the promise of eternal life in the presence of Christ himself! Therefore, since our lives are anchored in heaven, we can live now with the hope, peace and righteousness of heaven itself!

When you face the challenges and temptations of your life – and may be many - remember that you can stand firm in Christ because you are a citizen of heaven!

Brian Coffey