June 29-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:3-5, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s heart was full of thanksgiving for the way in which the Philippians had become his partners in the gospel. The amazing thing is that Paul had spent only a short amount of time at Philippi, yet he had developed some of the closest friendships in his ministry. The word in the original language for partnership is koinonia. It’s a rich term that expresses fellowship in the life of Christ and the sharing of a common faith. In other words, Paul paints a picture of a closeknit friendship among believers. He believed that they were with him even when they weren’t together because they demonstrated in tangible ways that they shared in the work of the gospel. As we will find out later, that tangible support included their prayers, sending a representative and an offering to support his ministry. Paul was totally dependent on the generosity of others so that he could survive the hardships of prison life. These Christians had stepped up in a huge way to offer their loving care and support on several different occasions. Paul told them that his prayers of thanksgiving were filled with great joy. Whenever they would come to mind, it would trigger a feeling of happiness and a prayer of thanksgiving. How thankful are you for your friendships? Do you offer a prayer of thanks with joy whenever they come to mind?
Relate it to your life.
Who can I tell today that I am thankful for their friendship and that they bring me great joy?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for ____________ and their friendship to me. Amen.
June 30-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul said he was confident that God who began a good work in them would bring it to completion. The good work that God began was bringing the life-changing gospel and their whole-hearted response to it. He reminded them that there was far more than just a beginning to their faith. It would carry them throughout their lives until the day of Christ’s return when their faith would then become complete. Paul wanted them to know they weren’t left on their own to defend for themselves. Even though Paul wasn’t there, God was with them through His Spirit to assure and strengthen them in their faith and life to the very end. As we’ll soon discover, Paul’s Philippian friends were going through some of the same trials he did when he was there, so they desperately needed to know that in all things, God was near and working for good. Paul wanted to encourage and spur them on with the assurance they would finish their faith in the midst of these great challenges. Throughout our lives, we all can use encouraging words in the midst of our difficulties. Is there someone in your world who needs to be reminded that God is at work in their lives, that God is working for good, that God loves them and so do you?
Relate it to your life.
Who can I encourage today with these words?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me an encouraging presence and voice for Your kingdom each and every day. Amen.
July 1-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:7-8, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
It was uncommon in Paul’s world to speak of such warm-hearted affection for others. Paul says he has them in his heart. He feels deeply for them and openly communicates that love to them. He says God is his witness how much he longs for them with the affection of Jesus. Just as he experienced and knows the love of Jesus for him so he loves them in the same way. He longs to be with them again. He had also experienced loving support from them in multiple ways over the ten years since he had first appeared on their riverbank. He said that whether he was in prison or presenting the gospel they had been sharing in God’s grace with him. When we have truly experienced God’s grace, we cannot help but share that grace with others. When loving actions are being freely exchanged, that’s when the church community is living out its best possible fellowship. In the family of faith, it is not enough to tolerate one another. In true Christian community, we miss each other when they are absent. We delight in one another when they are present. We yearn to be together enjoying and exchanging the same love Jesus has for us.
Relate it to your life.
How am I personally participating in the mutual exchange of grace in the church?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for showering me with Your grace over and over again. Help me to generously share that same grace with others over and over again. Amen.
July 2-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:7-8, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Lucian wasn’t a believer. He lived around AD 180, and was jealous of the friendships that the Christians had in his day. He wrote, “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator [Jesus] has put it in their heads that they are brothers.” That’s what Christian friendships looked like to an outsider. Do we have the same witness in our community as a loving, caring, giving, serving community of friends? Jesus said it this way, John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” It’s not by our perfection, but by our loving actions that make our witness shine. C. S. Lewis wrote the same in Mere Christianity: "Do not waste your time bothering whether you ’love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less. This action-oriented kind of love is what Paul and the Philippians shared with one another. It’s what made them such great friends.
Relate it to your life.
What action will I take to show my love to a friend today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this amazing family of friends called the church. We are at our best when we generously display Your love to one another. May Your Holy Spirit create in us what the first Christians had that was such a powerful witness to the larger community. Amen.
July 3-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:9-11, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul has already told them that he gives thanks in prayer for them. Now he tells them specifically what he asks God to do for them. This is a prayer for their spiritual progress. It’s a prayer that builds on itself.
Love may abound
In knowledge and wisdom
To discern what is best
In living holy lives for Christ’s return.
Filled with Jesus’ fruit of righteousness
For the glory of God.
This abounding love would increase in their friendship towards God, one another, Paul, and those who are in need of the gospel. It’s much deeper and richer than an emotional love. It’s a love based on spiritual knowledge found in God’s word which gives direction for us to love what God loves. And the purpose of such knowledge is so that we’ll have wisdom. Wisdom is the practical application of our spiritual knowledge so that we will discern between right and wrong and make the best possible decisions. We not only ask is it harmful, but is it helpful? We not only ask is it evil, but what good will it produce? We not only ask is it sinful, but what is my inner life revealing to me at this time?
Relate it to your life.
I must live to do more than avoid evil but to fully embrace the total impact of Christ’s love in my life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I pray this prayer to be a deep work among all who follow after You. Amen.
July 4-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:9-11, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Observe what it is saying.
The prayer reveals a twofold purpose. First, it is meant for us to live holy lives in preparation for Christ’s return. The very fact Paul prays indicates it requires the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit for us to be able live out the character of Jesus and bear His fruit. The second and ultimate purpose of living a fruitful life is so God will be given the glory and praise in all things. This is a profound prayer to offer for our friends that we dearly love. What if we not only prayed it in our personal prayer time, but prayed it over them in person, over the phone, or even in a text or email? You can personalize it, so they know you’re praying the prayer just for them. Would it not be a great image of the friendship and fellowship of the church to having clusters of people praying this over each other? If we want to elevate our friendships, Paul models that we offer thanks, encouragement, love, and prayers for each other.
Relate it to your life.
Deep growing friendships make it a habit to pray deeply for one another
Do something.
Lord Jesus, today, I pray this prayer for ______________. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:3-5, I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now,
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s heart was full of thanksgiving for the way in which the Philippians had become his partners in the gospel. The amazing thing is that Paul had spent only a short amount of time at Philippi, yet he had developed some of the closest friendships in his ministry. The word in the original language for partnership is koinonia. It’s a rich term that expresses fellowship in the life of Christ and the sharing of a common faith. In other words, Paul paints a picture of a closeknit friendship among believers. He believed that they were with him even when they weren’t together because they demonstrated in tangible ways that they shared in the work of the gospel. As we will find out later, that tangible support included their prayers, sending a representative and an offering to support his ministry. Paul was totally dependent on the generosity of others so that he could survive the hardships of prison life. These Christians had stepped up in a huge way to offer their loving care and support on several different occasions. Paul told them that his prayers of thanksgiving were filled with great joy. Whenever they would come to mind, it would trigger a feeling of happiness and a prayer of thanksgiving. How thankful are you for your friendships? Do you offer a prayer of thanks with joy whenever they come to mind?
Relate it to your life.
Who can I tell today that I am thankful for their friendship and that they bring me great joy?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for ____________ and their friendship to me. Amen.
June 30-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:6, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul said he was confident that God who began a good work in them would bring it to completion. The good work that God began was bringing the life-changing gospel and their whole-hearted response to it. He reminded them that there was far more than just a beginning to their faith. It would carry them throughout their lives until the day of Christ’s return when their faith would then become complete. Paul wanted them to know they weren’t left on their own to defend for themselves. Even though Paul wasn’t there, God was with them through His Spirit to assure and strengthen them in their faith and life to the very end. As we’ll soon discover, Paul’s Philippian friends were going through some of the same trials he did when he was there, so they desperately needed to know that in all things, God was near and working for good. Paul wanted to encourage and spur them on with the assurance they would finish their faith in the midst of these great challenges. Throughout our lives, we all can use encouraging words in the midst of our difficulties. Is there someone in your world who needs to be reminded that God is at work in their lives, that God is working for good, that God loves them and so do you?
Relate it to your life.
Who can I encourage today with these words?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, make me an encouraging presence and voice for Your kingdom each and every day. Amen.
July 1-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:7-8, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
It was uncommon in Paul’s world to speak of such warm-hearted affection for others. Paul says he has them in his heart. He feels deeply for them and openly communicates that love to them. He says God is his witness how much he longs for them with the affection of Jesus. Just as he experienced and knows the love of Jesus for him so he loves them in the same way. He longs to be with them again. He had also experienced loving support from them in multiple ways over the ten years since he had first appeared on their riverbank. He said that whether he was in prison or presenting the gospel they had been sharing in God’s grace with him. When we have truly experienced God’s grace, we cannot help but share that grace with others. When loving actions are being freely exchanged, that’s when the church community is living out its best possible fellowship. In the family of faith, it is not enough to tolerate one another. In true Christian community, we miss each other when they are absent. We delight in one another when they are present. We yearn to be together enjoying and exchanging the same love Jesus has for us.
Relate it to your life.
How am I personally participating in the mutual exchange of grace in the church?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for showering me with Your grace over and over again. Help me to generously share that same grace with others over and over again. Amen.
July 2-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:7-8, It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
Observe what it is saying.
Lucian wasn’t a believer. He lived around AD 180, and was jealous of the friendships that the Christians had in his day. He wrote, “It is incredible to see the fervor with which the people of that religion help each other in their wants. They spare nothing. Their first legislator [Jesus] has put it in their heads that they are brothers.” That’s what Christian friendships looked like to an outsider. Do we have the same witness in our community as a loving, caring, giving, serving community of friends? Jesus said it this way, John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” It’s not by our perfection, but by our loving actions that make our witness shine. C. S. Lewis wrote the same in Mere Christianity: "Do not waste your time bothering whether you ’love’ your neighbor; act as if you did. As soon as we do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him. If you injure someone you dislike, you will find yourself disliking him more. If you do him a good turn, you will find yourself disliking him less. This action-oriented kind of love is what Paul and the Philippians shared with one another. It’s what made them such great friends.
Relate it to your life.
What action will I take to show my love to a friend today?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank You for this amazing family of friends called the church. We are at our best when we generously display Your love to one another. May Your Holy Spirit create in us what the first Christians had that was such a powerful witness to the larger community. Amen.
July 3-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:9-11, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul has already told them that he gives thanks in prayer for them. Now he tells them specifically what he asks God to do for them. This is a prayer for their spiritual progress. It’s a prayer that builds on itself.
Love may abound
In knowledge and wisdom
To discern what is best
In living holy lives for Christ’s return.
Filled with Jesus’ fruit of righteousness
For the glory of God.
This abounding love would increase in their friendship towards God, one another, Paul, and those who are in need of the gospel. It’s much deeper and richer than an emotional love. It’s a love based on spiritual knowledge found in God’s word which gives direction for us to love what God loves. And the purpose of such knowledge is so that we’ll have wisdom. Wisdom is the practical application of our spiritual knowledge so that we will discern between right and wrong and make the best possible decisions. We not only ask is it harmful, but is it helpful? We not only ask is it evil, but what good will it produce? We not only ask is it sinful, but what is my inner life revealing to me at this time?
Relate it to your life.
I must live to do more than avoid evil but to fully embrace the total impact of Christ’s love in my life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, I pray this prayer to be a deep work among all who follow after You. Amen.
July 4-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 1:9-11, And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Observe what it is saying.
The prayer reveals a twofold purpose. First, it is meant for us to live holy lives in preparation for Christ’s return. The very fact Paul prays indicates it requires the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit for us to be able live out the character of Jesus and bear His fruit. The second and ultimate purpose of living a fruitful life is so God will be given the glory and praise in all things. This is a profound prayer to offer for our friends that we dearly love. What if we not only prayed it in our personal prayer time, but prayed it over them in person, over the phone, or even in a text or email? You can personalize it, so they know you’re praying the prayer just for them. Would it not be a great image of the friendship and fellowship of the church to having clusters of people praying this over each other? If we want to elevate our friendships, Paul models that we offer thanks, encouragement, love, and prayers for each other.
Relate it to your life.
Deep growing friendships make it a habit to pray deeply for one another
Do something.
Lord Jesus, today, I pray this prayer for ______________. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals