July 27-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:19-20, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
Observe what it is saying.
As we recently celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday, we appreciate the many values that make us such a great country. However, we admit we have our flaws. Each week seems to bring a new crisis that highlights the anger, evil, or the hatred that lies deep within so many resulting in violence and vicious words. Overall decency, concern for others, and cooperation with one another appear to be at an all-time low. Such hostility can even show its ugly head in the larger Body of Christ where disagreements over theological, social, and moral issues are often done in an unhealthy way. As Jesus wept over an unresponsive Jerusalem, so I imagine He weeps over our world as well. And if we are not already, maybe, we should be doing some weeping of our own. Maybe, we should be calling out, crying out to God to forgive us, to save us, to change us. If the church doesn’t take the lead to humble ourselves before the Lord, who will? It is our responsibility as God’s loved, holy, and chosen people to offer his heart and voice in the midst of so many voices clamoring for their position to be heard. Because we’re the keepers of truth and grace, we need to humbly set the example. Paul said Timothy was such a model of the faith because he showed genuine care for the Philippians. May we be like Timothy and offer such love and care for others in the Body who are experiencing difficult times. We can offer a text, a call, a visit, a card, or a gift of encouragement and pray for God’s peace, provision, and power to be known.
Relate it to your life.
I have been placed in the church to demonstrate the care of Christ to others in practical ways.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, prepare for me today someone whom I can offer genuine care out of love for You. Amen.
July 28-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:19-20, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul has a great hope that’s found “in the Lord Jesus.” Paul uses this prepositional phrase several other times in his letter. He loves “in the Lord;” his confidence is “in the Lord;” he rejoices “in the Lord;” he desires others to rejoice “in Christ,” to welcome Christian leaders “in the Lord,” and to always stand firm “in the Lord.” All that we are is because we are “in the Lord.” If we’re not “in the Lord,” we are nowhere. We have nothing. We have no hope. Paul has such hope in spite of writing from prison and not being able to visit his friends in Philippi. He hopes to send Timothy so he can get a report of how they’re doing. Paul trusted Timothy because he had “no one else like him.” The actual wording in the Greek is that Paul and Timothy had the same soul. They were soulmates. They had the same interests, priorities, and attitudes. They were so similar because they were into Christ. Jesus was what brought them together and kept them together. Do we have such a spiritual soulmate? Is there someone who shares deeply in the faith as Timothy did with Paul? If not, ask the Lord to show you who is available for you.
Relate it to your life.
My joy increases dramatically when I share deeply with someone about my spiritual life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank you for spiritual friends. Lead me to find that special person to go deep with. Amen.
July 29-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:21-24, For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul cannot say enough good about Timothy. He stood out among others as he refused to look out for himself but put the interests of Jesus and the Philippians ahead of his own. He was an excellent example of Paul’s earlier teaching in this chapter of having the same mindset as Christ. Timothy was the ideal model that Paul wanted to send so they would know how to live humbly for the sake of others creating a positive, loving environment of unity. It appears Paul had a short list to draw from to represent him to his friends. What if we were with Paul, would we have been on his short list? What made Timothy rise above the others? One thing Paul mentions is that he showed genuine care for the Philippian’s welfare. Timothy’s concern for them was real because he had an authentic faith in Christ. He had a personal life-changing encounter with Jesus and his love for them naturally flowed out of his growing faith. This was such a priority because Jesus was his priority. One of the signs that we are authentic disciples is that we do not live primarily for ourselves but live to benefit the spiritual welfare of others, starting with our families and extending to those in our church, community, and around the world. Based on this one marker of discipleship, how well are we doing?
Relate it to your life.
One indicator of my spiritual growth is whether I have increasing concern for the spiritual welfare of others.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me Your heart to serve and pray for the spiritual wellness of others. Amen.
July 30-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:25-27, But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s second example of genuine care Is Epaphroditus. Neither Paul nor Timothy could go was free to Philippi. This was a great solution because: (1) Epaphroditus was from Philippi. (2) He was trusted both by the Philippians and Paul. (3) Paul could count on him to convey the message of unity, humility, and selfless service because he had already modeled it in a significant way (4) The Philippians had heard of Epaphroditus’s near-fatal illness, and they were anxious to know of his condition. What Paul now chose to do with Epaphroditus, the Philippian church had first done by sending him to take their generous financial gift to support Paul. But not only that, the intention was for him to stay on as a genuine friend showing their love and care for Paul while he was in prison. Paul had high a regard for him by calling him his brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. In spite of his illness, he accomplished his mission. The test of genuine care is showing up when others are at their lowest and sticking by them through it all.
Relate it to your life.
Am I a true friend and stick with others when they are going through the most difficult moments of life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me strength and compassion to stay with others when they are struggling. Amen.
July 31-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:28-30, Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul wanted to make sure the Philippians warmly welcomed Epaphroditus as he was being sent to give them an update on Paul and see for themselves that he had recovered from his illness. In first going to see Paul who was imprisoned, he did a good and necessary act of ministry to encourage and help Paul, but it nearly cost him his life. A few years ago, I heard a testimony from a black pastor serving a white church in Indianapolis. He told that in 1968 he was a snotty nose kid playing outside a church. A layman invited him in for punch and cookies leftover from Vacation Bible School which he did not attend. The layman asked his mother if he could bring this boy and his brother to church each week. Then, he was asked if he wanted to go to church camp the next week. The boy said he couldn’t afford it. The church said they would pay for him to go. He went and was chosen camper of the week. He said he was eventually saved in that church and was called into ministry in that church. He went on to pastor several churches and found himself being voted to serve in the highest position in that denomination. He said it all started because a white layman genuinely cared for a young black boy in the tumultuous 60’s when it wasn’t a popular thing to do. Epaphroditus and this unnamed layman model the kind of genuine care and risk-taking concern for others that can change a life and change a world.
Relate it to your life.
Offering loving care is not always easy but is always necessary as followers of Jesus Christ.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, take me out of my comfort zone to show Your love and care to others. Amen.
August 1-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:28-30, Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Observe what it is saying.
When our youngest son Caleb and his wife Liz moved into their first house, their neighbor brought them a gallon of ice cream. The next week the same neighbor brought them lasagna. Do you know what Caleb said about them? They are his new best friends! Actually, he said, they remind him of the caring people at Blue Grass Church. Does that statement ring true about you? You take food, stop and talk, or introduce yourself to your neighbor. You show genuine care by building bridges and creating new relationships. You can invite someone to church. What if God wanted to use you to bring someone to faith so they would be used by Him to serve the church in a significant way? When’s the last time you reached across social, economic, or racial lines to show genuine care and concern to someone? Do you take time to listen? Do you have time to volunteer? You have something to offer that can ultimately make a difference in someone’s life and make a better community.
Relate it to your life.
When was the last time I showed genuine care to someone?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me the desire and courage to show Your love and care to those around me. Amen.
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:19-20, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
Observe what it is saying.
As we recently celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday, we appreciate the many values that make us such a great country. However, we admit we have our flaws. Each week seems to bring a new crisis that highlights the anger, evil, or the hatred that lies deep within so many resulting in violence and vicious words. Overall decency, concern for others, and cooperation with one another appear to be at an all-time low. Such hostility can even show its ugly head in the larger Body of Christ where disagreements over theological, social, and moral issues are often done in an unhealthy way. As Jesus wept over an unresponsive Jerusalem, so I imagine He weeps over our world as well. And if we are not already, maybe, we should be doing some weeping of our own. Maybe, we should be calling out, crying out to God to forgive us, to save us, to change us. If the church doesn’t take the lead to humble ourselves before the Lord, who will? It is our responsibility as God’s loved, holy, and chosen people to offer his heart and voice in the midst of so many voices clamoring for their position to be heard. Because we’re the keepers of truth and grace, we need to humbly set the example. Paul said Timothy was such a model of the faith because he showed genuine care for the Philippians. May we be like Timothy and offer such love and care for others in the Body who are experiencing difficult times. We can offer a text, a call, a visit, a card, or a gift of encouragement and pray for God’s peace, provision, and power to be known.
Relate it to your life.
I have been placed in the church to demonstrate the care of Christ to others in practical ways.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, prepare for me today someone whom I can offer genuine care out of love for You. Amen.
July 28-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:19-20, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul has a great hope that’s found “in the Lord Jesus.” Paul uses this prepositional phrase several other times in his letter. He loves “in the Lord;” his confidence is “in the Lord;” he rejoices “in the Lord;” he desires others to rejoice “in Christ,” to welcome Christian leaders “in the Lord,” and to always stand firm “in the Lord.” All that we are is because we are “in the Lord.” If we’re not “in the Lord,” we are nowhere. We have nothing. We have no hope. Paul has such hope in spite of writing from prison and not being able to visit his friends in Philippi. He hopes to send Timothy so he can get a report of how they’re doing. Paul trusted Timothy because he had “no one else like him.” The actual wording in the Greek is that Paul and Timothy had the same soul. They were soulmates. They had the same interests, priorities, and attitudes. They were so similar because they were into Christ. Jesus was what brought them together and kept them together. Do we have such a spiritual soulmate? Is there someone who shares deeply in the faith as Timothy did with Paul? If not, ask the Lord to show you who is available for you.
Relate it to your life.
My joy increases dramatically when I share deeply with someone about my spiritual life.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, thank you for spiritual friends. Lead me to find that special person to go deep with. Amen.
July 29-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:21-24, For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul cannot say enough good about Timothy. He stood out among others as he refused to look out for himself but put the interests of Jesus and the Philippians ahead of his own. He was an excellent example of Paul’s earlier teaching in this chapter of having the same mindset as Christ. Timothy was the ideal model that Paul wanted to send so they would know how to live humbly for the sake of others creating a positive, loving environment of unity. It appears Paul had a short list to draw from to represent him to his friends. What if we were with Paul, would we have been on his short list? What made Timothy rise above the others? One thing Paul mentions is that he showed genuine care for the Philippian’s welfare. Timothy’s concern for them was real because he had an authentic faith in Christ. He had a personal life-changing encounter with Jesus and his love for them naturally flowed out of his growing faith. This was such a priority because Jesus was his priority. One of the signs that we are authentic disciples is that we do not live primarily for ourselves but live to benefit the spiritual welfare of others, starting with our families and extending to those in our church, community, and around the world. Based on this one marker of discipleship, how well are we doing?
Relate it to your life.
One indicator of my spiritual growth is whether I have increasing concern for the spiritual welfare of others.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me Your heart to serve and pray for the spiritual wellness of others. Amen.
July 30-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:25-27, But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul’s second example of genuine care Is Epaphroditus. Neither Paul nor Timothy could go was free to Philippi. This was a great solution because: (1) Epaphroditus was from Philippi. (2) He was trusted both by the Philippians and Paul. (3) Paul could count on him to convey the message of unity, humility, and selfless service because he had already modeled it in a significant way (4) The Philippians had heard of Epaphroditus’s near-fatal illness, and they were anxious to know of his condition. What Paul now chose to do with Epaphroditus, the Philippian church had first done by sending him to take their generous financial gift to support Paul. But not only that, the intention was for him to stay on as a genuine friend showing their love and care for Paul while he was in prison. Paul had high a regard for him by calling him his brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. In spite of his illness, he accomplished his mission. The test of genuine care is showing up when others are at their lowest and sticking by them through it all.
Relate it to your life.
Am I a true friend and stick with others when they are going through the most difficult moments of life?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me strength and compassion to stay with others when they are struggling. Amen.
July 31-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:28-30, Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Observe what it is saying.
Paul wanted to make sure the Philippians warmly welcomed Epaphroditus as he was being sent to give them an update on Paul and see for themselves that he had recovered from his illness. In first going to see Paul who was imprisoned, he did a good and necessary act of ministry to encourage and help Paul, but it nearly cost him his life. A few years ago, I heard a testimony from a black pastor serving a white church in Indianapolis. He told that in 1968 he was a snotty nose kid playing outside a church. A layman invited him in for punch and cookies leftover from Vacation Bible School which he did not attend. The layman asked his mother if he could bring this boy and his brother to church each week. Then, he was asked if he wanted to go to church camp the next week. The boy said he couldn’t afford it. The church said they would pay for him to go. He went and was chosen camper of the week. He said he was eventually saved in that church and was called into ministry in that church. He went on to pastor several churches and found himself being voted to serve in the highest position in that denomination. He said it all started because a white layman genuinely cared for a young black boy in the tumultuous 60’s when it wasn’t a popular thing to do. Epaphroditus and this unnamed layman model the kind of genuine care and risk-taking concern for others that can change a life and change a world.
Relate it to your life.
Offering loving care is not always easy but is always necessary as followers of Jesus Christ.
Do something.
Lord Jesus, take me out of my comfort zone to show Your love and care to others. Amen.
August 1-Philippians-The Journey of Joy
Write out the Scripture.
Philippians 2:28-30, Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.
Observe what it is saying.
When our youngest son Caleb and his wife Liz moved into their first house, their neighbor brought them a gallon of ice cream. The next week the same neighbor brought them lasagna. Do you know what Caleb said about them? They are his new best friends! Actually, he said, they remind him of the caring people at Blue Grass Church. Does that statement ring true about you? You take food, stop and talk, or introduce yourself to your neighbor. You show genuine care by building bridges and creating new relationships. You can invite someone to church. What if God wanted to use you to bring someone to faith so they would be used by Him to serve the church in a significant way? When’s the last time you reached across social, economic, or racial lines to show genuine care and concern to someone? Do you take time to listen? Do you have time to volunteer? You have something to offer that can ultimately make a difference in someone’s life and make a better community.
Relate it to your life.
When was the last time I showed genuine care to someone?
Do something.
Lord Jesus, give me the desire and courage to show Your love and care to those around me. Amen.
Posted in Daily Devotionals