Latest Devotion
Knowing Christ
By: Bob Beck
Monday, October 27, 2025
But whatever were gains to me, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8
Paul had one focus – to know Jesus. Moses was given the law, but he still yearned for more. Moses wanted God’s constant presence, so He asked God to accompany Israel on their journey to Canaan (Exodus 33:15-17)
We remember our past, but we can't be focused on it, even when it's filled with impressive accomplishments. Moses was an accomplished leader in Egypt, but he chose to leave that life behind and join God's people. Moses left Egypt (the world) behind to get closer to God. Paul had a very impressive résumé as a Pharisee. He was a Jewish leader, but he left it all behind when he met Jesus.
Our opening verses from Philippians contrast a person who was focused on pleasing God by works, and a person who met Jesus and is willing to leave their old life behind. Knowing Jesus personally changes everything! Moses and Paul were willing to lose everything the world considers important to get closer to God. Are we?
Following Jesus means we aren't depending on our "old" experiences with God in the past. Of course, we remember how good God has been to us, but we know we must seek Him daily so we can learn to trust His promises completely.
...just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
Life, and our walk with Jesus is made up of mountaintops and valleys. Our mountaintop experience might be a memorable moment we saw God move in a miraculous way, or it might be an awesome spiritual accomplishment of our own. A "valley" experience might be the loss of a loved one, a job, or our health.
Jesus wants to celebrate our good times with us, and He wants to comfort us in our most difficult moments. Sometimes, the most difficult trials in life will draw us even closer to Jesus. After all, when we're "at our wits end" we must trust God and rely on His strength to get through them...
Put Jesus first! Like Moses and Paul, let's be wiling to leave everything behind if it will help us get closer to God!