Today's scripture reading is from Philippians chapter 3 versus 4b through 11.

Philippians chapter 3 versus 4b through 11. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the

flesh I have more. Circumsized on the eighth day of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews.

As to the law of Pharise, as to zeal, a persecutor of the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count it as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed I count everything as loss

because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish

in order that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,

but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness of God that depends on faith, that I may know him and the power of his

resurrection and may share his sufferings becoming like him and his death, that by

any means of possible I may attain the resurrection from the

dead.

This is the word of the Lord.

Let's pray together. Indeed, Lord, this is the word of the Lord, and that is an awesome statement, an awesome truth.

So speak it now, open it

for the sake of your people. You love your people vastly more than any of us loves your people.

And your word is a gift, immeasurably great. And so speak your love through your word to your people.

Build their faith. Glorify your name, advance your mission, strengthen this great church, impact this city. Create a light in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation.

I pray. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Every one of you were created to know and to admire and to enjoy the greatest greatness greatness.

That's why you were made.

That's why you exist.

You were made to know and admire and enjoy the greatest greatness, settling for nothing less than the greatest of the great.

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