A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse April 19, 2018 Less is Best Scripture Reading – Philippians 3:8 (NLT) "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."

 Today may God by the precious Holy Spirit help us to take a look inside, and cause us to serve His purposes from hearts of humility.  For striving, influence of person, position, possessions and power have absolutely no place in the Kingdom of God whatsoever.

Not that Paul, or Saul did not have it all: born, circumcised and raised as a Hebrews of the Hebrews in the tribe of Benjamin, brilliantly educated by Gamaliel and a Pharisee of Pharisees, faultless to the human eye in righteousness, holiness and obedience.

But all of these things had to be considered worthless in comparison to knowing the life of Jesus Christ flowing through him. And so it is with us, we too must come humbly before our God to be used to our fullest potential, surrendering all and discovering that eternally speaking: 'Less is Best'.

In this light Paul instructed his young preaching protégé to remember that He was the worst of all sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Told the church in Corinth that he was the least of the apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9). And instructs all of us right up to 2018, that he was less than the least of all of the people of God (Ephesians 3:8).

Today, some might even suggest that Paul struggled with his self-identity especially in the mantras of self-help guru's available for purchase. And the answer is not in the least, for in this daily surrender to the cross life, truly Paul was one of the greatest people ever used for the kingdom of God!In that same kind of daily surrender, so may you and I be too! 

Prayer My Father in heaven, humbly I come to You today. Holy Spirit, search me, fill me, humble me and use me for the glory of Jesus Christ my Lord I pray. 

Memory Verse:  Psalm 47:1 NLT “_____, everyone! _____ your hands! ______ to ____ with joyful praise!