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Bible in a Year: Judges 1921; Luke 7:3150
This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9
My family, all five of us, found ourselves in Rome over the Christmas holidays. I dont know when Ive ever seen more people jammed together in one place. As we snaked our way through crowds to see sights like the Vatican and the Coliseum, I repeatedly emphasized to my kids the practice of situational awarenesspay attention to where you are, whos around you, and whats going on. We live in a day when the world, at home and abroad, isnt a safe place. And with the use of cell phones and ear buds, kids (and adults for that matter) dont always practice an awareness of surroundings.
Situational awareness. This is an aspect of Pauls prayer for the believers in Philippi recorded in Philippians 1:911. His desire for them was an ever-increasing discernment as to the who/what/where of their situations. But rather than some goal of personal safety, Paul prayed with a grander purpose that Gods holy people might be good stewards of the love of Christ theyd received, discern what is best, live pure and blameless, and be filled with good qualities that only Jesus can produce. This kind of living springs from an awareness that God is the who in our lives, and our increasing reliance on Him is what brings Him pleasure. And in any and all situations is where we can share from the overflow of His great love.
How can you bring Christs love into your circumstances in a greater way?