People Now, Heaven Later

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. (Philippians 1:21-24 ESV)

More than anything else, the apostle Paul wanted to be in the presence of Jesus. He saw his eventual death as “gain” and would have gladly and willingly gone on to heaven to see Jesus face to face.

Paul at the same time understood that God still had a purpose for him on this earth. It was “more necessary” for Paul to continue laboring and investing in a group of people (in this case the Philippians). Paul was living in this tension between heaven and earth.

Many times,

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Time For Him

Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. (1 Peter 5:7 TLB)

We will make time for those who are important to us. While this is not a hard and set fast rule, it’s true for most people. I have at times tried to plan on spending time with someone who continually put me off, but I would see them doing things with others. They would proclaim “I’m busy” when in truth they were too busy for me.

Ever felt like you were unimportant to someone?

I know Someone who

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Prize Your Integrity

The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.

Genesis 39:2–4 ESV

God blessed Joseph’s work and “gave him success in everything he did.”

Potiphar, one of the most powerful men in Egypt at the time, noticed this and instantly hired him.

Not only did he give him a job, but he also promoted him to overseeing everything!

Obviously, we know this story takes an unfortunate detour when his wife tried to seduce him (Genesis 39:6). However, let’s focus on how God prospered Joseph to see the big-picture view.

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