15 Oct 24 in Twenty-10 Scripture Memory: Verse #20
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)
So that’s my verse… #20! Wow! We are nearly to the end of our year of Scripture memory. Can you believe it? Only 4 more to go, but it seems like we just started. By the way… I’ve already got an idea for another memory challenge for next year. I can hardly wait to share it with you, but I’ll wait another month to do so!
Philippians 3:7-8… I’ve always loved these two verses, and I guess I have committed them to memory in part over the years. But they’ve been heavy on my heart the last week for a couple of reasons. We’ve been studying the epistles of John in our Wednesday night Women at the Well Bible study and this past week was the lesson from 1 John 2:15-17 — “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” We devoted the whole evening to the subject of “worldliness” (if you want to give a listen, the link is in the right hand column of this page), and needless to say it was not a ‘feel good’ kinda lesson.
The world (Satan’s organized system and plans for opposing God and the work of Christ in you and me, and the world) beckons us to fall in love with the things it offers; things that we end up feeling we can’t live without and can never get enough of: Money, things, knowledge, recognition… the desires of the flesh and eyes, and the boasting of what one has. That’s the worldly way. Satan wants us to be worldly; God wants us to be holy. The question we have to ask ourselves is: “What track am I on?”
I think the Apostle Paul summed it up best when he said, “Having had it all and lost it all, I can tell you that at the end of the day it’s all trash… nothing but trash compared to knowing and having Christ” (my paraphrase). The Message Bible translates trash as “dog dung”; probably a more accurate description in comparing the things of the world to knowing Christ. To some folks it would have appeared Paul had nothing left to live for once he lost his high position and esteemed reputation. Alas, he came to know a real Treasure… the “pearl of great price” in Christ Jesus, and nothing the world promised him could ever compare with that!
Another reason this verse means so much to me this week, and especially today, is that one year ago today I was having my last chemo treatment at Baylor Hospital. I remember sitting there in that recliner, the IV drip hooked up to my arm, bald as a billiard, having lost all my hair, both of my breasts, a good deal of pride, and a few brain cells; but surrounded by a room overflowing with God’s love from my wonderful husband and dozen friends who had so faithfully gathered around to celebrate with me. I felt it then, and one year later I believe it even more: I consider everything I “lost” as nothing but trash when compared with the greatness and infinite value of coming to know Christ Jesus in ways I’d never known Him before. It was so worth it because HE is so worth it all. Apparently He felt the same about you and me when He took up the cross.
Cost of cancer surgery and treatment: $$$$$$. Cost of knowing Christ better: PRICELESS!
All for Him!
xo – P