Thursday, August 28, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Philippians 3

Have you ever found something so good you had to share it with others? Maybe it was a song, Dietsch Brothers ice cream (Findlay knows!), or a movie.

How did you get others to rejoice in that love with you? You invested a little time:

“Hey, listen to this!”

“Let me buy you a scoop.”

Or, “Let’s watch it together.”

Now imagine how much more important it is to invest in the things that make heaven shout with joy, rather than choosing what makes you happy for a limited time.

Luke 15:7
“In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

I’m tough on my youngest son. In part, it’s due to how some of the world wants to see him instead of how they need to see him. In other ways, it’s because, like me, he’s a button-pusher. A few hours before writing these words, my son learned that saying “obviously” to me twice in one sentence produces an obviously unwanted response.

I want to invest in his livelihood and spiritual growth. The first seems to be taking more time, but the second is coming along. I see it in the way he talks about God. My wife worried when he was still in his single-digit years, but I assured her he would be okay. He has something I didn’t have - a father.

It turns out he’s known for a while that he has two.

In 1934, two men-in-training, both my son’s age, wandered into a tent revival. The words moved them, but the space was too full to welcome them. They reversed their steps until a nameless usher grabbed them and made room. They stayed, worshipped, learned, and gave their lives to Christ that same day.

Their names were Billy Graham and Grady Wilson.

Billy and Grady could’ve walked out of that tent without ever hearing the message that changed their lives, but the usher saw an opportunity to invest in two young men, and that is something to rejoice in! God took the impact from a seemingly insignificant action and multiplied it, impacting countless others.

We need to invite people in so they can send out more invitations. It is only by building people up that we build God’s Kingdom out.

Questions:
When’s the last time you invested in others? Can you remember how it felt when you were a lost soul?

Next Steps:
Make a list of people you want to introduce or reintroduce to Jesus, or complete the Top 5 Card.

Do you have an “elevator pitch” ready for when you see an opportunity to introduce someone to Jesus? Consider inviting them to church or to sit in on one of your Groups. Then set reminders to pray for them throughout the day. Don’t forget to listen when they speak to you, and don’t be afraid to send them uplifting messages.

Prayer:
Lord, a fear of rejection or avoidance sometimes limits the investments I put in others. Remind me that your will guides their growth, not my emotions. My faith in you will produce what is necessary. Help me see others through your eyes, so that my time with them is filled with your love and patience, and free from distractions and judgment. I have faith that you can use even my smallest acts of obedience to make a lasting impact on your Kingdom. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.