Paul could have stood up to his assailants sooner; instead, he took the heat for his faith. Put yourself in his shoes: what would you do?

Is your citizenship in heaven? It’s simpler than applying for a passport, and it never expires! Talk to a Crossroads leader to learn more.

Help us to see the people around us through your eyes today, Lord, even if it brings us to tears like Paul. Help us not become complacent.

Do we put as much effort into studying God’s word as we do our school work, business, etc.? Use Philippians 3:7-14 as your prayer today.

Thank you, Lord, that you don’t require a checklist of accomplishments, just a repentant, faithful heart.

We may not all have seminary degrees, but every believer can be a minister. Who needs to see Christ through your life today?

Like the heart-shaped stamp on my driver’s license that says I’m an organ donor, let my life show the world that my heart is yours, Lord.

Like the pages in my passport that show where I’ve traveled, remind me, Lord, that you know all of my comings and goings.

Do you know which documents are acceptable as proof of citizenship in the U.S.? Birth certificate, passport or naturalization certificate are the commonly accepted items. Other government-issued forms of photo identification, such as driver’s license, military ID, etc., are useful to demonstrate that you are who you say you are, but they do not validate your citizenship.

We may have photo IDs to prove where we go to school or work, certificates to show that we’re married, framed diplomas to display our college degrees and notarized papers to explain legal matters … but none of those documents prove our citizenship.

In his letter to the Philippians (chapter 3), the apostle Paul gave a litany of his qualifications as a religious leader in order to drive home the point that none of it matters – not the accolades, not the bragging rights, not the pedigree. He went so far as to call his credentials “garbage” (verse 8) compared to the joy of knowing Christ. Paul, formerly known as Saul, was an unabashed weirdo; in fact, he embraced his peculiar testimony so that God would receive the utmost glory.

The thought of Paul’s former life as an “enemy of the cross” brought him to tears (verse 18) as he pleaded with the Philippians to focus their sights heavenward. Our worldly credentials pale in comparison to heavenly glory! Paul describes our true citizenship as being in heaven (verse 20) – will we embrace it?

Is it ok to be “weird” for the Lord? Ask God today to show you how to be in the world but not of the world. I John 2: 15-17