You Gotta Lose To Gain!

Philippians 3:7-8
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

We are a very blessed people. We are by far the richest, most spoiled nation on earth. We have everything, and expect to get more. We work at gaining all the new toys, with the latest technology. Most of us have phones that can do more things, than we can remember!

The economy has taken a downturn, people are loosing jobs, homes, cars, and about every other luxury they accumulated. The future situation does not look so well! I have been blessed in that I have not had to make any large adjustments to my life, but, the time may come (maybe soon?).

This passage blessed my heart this morning! We have had a very interesting week in ministry! we have had a weeks worth of Bible Studies canceled for various reasons. Last night we had 2 soldiers in the Bibles study, that is exciting, because this particular unit has not had any soldiers for over two months.

It is during times like these, that forces me to reevaluate every aspect of the ministry God has allow us to have. I am reminded that there is a greater matter to ministry than numbers! God is concerned about me!, and my relationship to him!

1. ...were gain,... I counted loss for Christ.
Sometimes I forget that if there is anything in my life that is successful, it is not because of my own talent. I am as human as you, I enjoy the accolades, and recognition. Then things breakdown and I am reminded that everything may fail, and if it does, I can write it off to a glorious fact,Christ still loves me, and has saved me!

2. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.
The most important part of any ministry should be, no!, must be that we loose anything that hinders us from gaining more knowledge of Christ Jesus (my) Lord! The passage is clear that we should seek what is termed excellency a word defined as: outstanding or valuable quality. Is your relationship with the Lord outstanding, how valuable is the quality of that kind of relationship to you?

3. I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.
Whatever we may loose will pale in comparison to what we gain! If we are asked to give up everything, we still are promised a prise. We win Christ.

I am not sure what I may be asked to give up! I not looking forward to the loss. But if, and when a loss happens to me I pray that I am in the place to see that I gain The Excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD!

What have you lost to gain Christ?