I have added four new Bible readings plans today to our website. The plan below looks at women of the Bible.

Two Weeks on Women of the Bible

Day 1 – Genesis 2 – Eve, the first woman.
Day 2 – Genesis 18 – Sarah laughs at God’s promise.
Day 3 – Genesis 24 – Rebekah’s marriage to Isaac.
Day 4 – Genesis 27 – Rebekah, the manipulative mother
Day 5 – Judges 4 – Deborah’s leadership frees her people.
Day 6 – Ruth 1 – Ruth and Naomi’s deep friendship.
Day 7 – 1 Samuel 1 – Hannah prays for a son.
Day 8 – 1 Kings 17 – A poor widow and the prophet Elijah.
Day 9 – 1 Kings 21 – Jezebel, an emblem of wickedness.
Day 10 – Esther 2 – Esther is chosen as queen.
Day 11 – Esther 4 – Esther’s courage at the risk of death.
Day 12 – Luke 1 – Mary and Elizabeth receive great news.
Day 13 – Luke 2 – Mary gives birth to Jesus.
Day 14 – John 11 – Mary and Martha and their brother’s death.

Today’s reading comes from Philippians 1:20-26. It is titled, “Paul’s life for Christ”. Verses 21-24 explains Paul’s heart. They gives us a glimpse of his priorities.

“For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn be- tween two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live”.

For Paul, living was all about Christ. He was all consumed with Christ. He desired earnestly to go and be with Christ, but knew staying here would mean he could continue His work in the world.

Paul knew he could help others come to know Christ, he could plant churches, and he could strengthen the churches he had planted. In short his mission was to know Christ and make Him known.

Over the years I have known people like this. They have been completely sold out for God’s Kingdom. Their life was hidden in Christ and His will was all they wanted. Some are alive still serving, while some have gone to be with their Lord.

I am so inspired by these three verses and the sold out Kingdom people I have met over the years. It is something that I aspire to myself. I hope and pray that I can wholeheartedly say, “To live is Christ, to die is gain”.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for Paul’s words in this passage. Thank You for his commit- ment to Christ and his commitment to making Him known. I pray today that I will have that same commitment to Christ and to His mission in this world. I pray my life will be all about Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.