Philippians 4: 20-23
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 23 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
20 Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
21 Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. 22 And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
And with this we conclude our study of the book of Philippians. May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit. Grace is favor from God that we don't deserve. We couldn't do anything to earn it, yet God chose to give to us freely. In the end, all that matters is our relationship with God and what He's done for us, and that's what Paul wants us to remember as we close out this study.
Are you relying on God's grace, or your own works?
-Jeff-
Philippians 4: 18-19
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
18 At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. 19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
I know that this verse is talking about money, but I can't help but think that the word gift was used on purpose. Don't think for a second that all God wants is your money. He wants so much more than that. In fact, some of us don't have any money to give, but we can offer God our time or our talents. Now, those things should never replace giving money to a church, but God wants more than just your money.
It's not a bad thing to have stuff, but God doesn't want your stuff to have you! What I mean is if you can't give your last 10 dollars, then that's exactly what God will ask for, because he wants to be more important to you than stuff.
And verse 19 says that if we give then we can be confidant that God will supply all of our needs as well, because that's the kind of God He is.
-Jeff-
Philippians 4:14-17
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 15 As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. 16 Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. 17 I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
When Paul speaks of sharing in his difficulty, he's talking about money. The group that he was writing to had helped to fund his ministry, and this is his thank-you letter. I find the last sentence of this letter interesting. He says that he wants them to get a prize because of their giving. We should never give in order to get something, whether from God or from people, but if you read the Bible it's obvious that those who give are blessed.
Malachi 3 says this: 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!
This is the only part of the Bible where God says to test Him. When we give, God is there waiting to pour out His blessings upon us!
-Jeff-
Philippians 4:13
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
When was the last time you tried to do something that was too big for you? When Kadin was four we started giving him an allowance (really even when he was younger he'd get a penny for doing chores). It's amazing how nice that is to be able to say to the kids "Do you have any money?" when they're asking for everything in the entire store. But to get back on track, he learned to save money for things that really had value. In fact, one time I challenged him that I would match his money if he wanted to save for a Nintendo DS (remember, he's four at this point), so he got to work doing odd jobs for people and saving allowance til he'd earned about $40. He still plays his DS a ton. I remember thinking that there was no way he could do it, yet he did. He even skipped hot chocolate at the coffee stand (when his sister got one) so that he could save his money.
The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ, so what are you believing for? Are you trying to raise money for missions? Are you hoping your friend will get saved? Too often as Christians we focus on what we can't do, instead of what God wants to use us to do.
In closing, let me ask this question: "What is the one thing you would do today, if you knew there was no chance you could fail?"
-Jeff-
Philippians 4:10-12
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
If there's one prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be patient". If there's a second prayer a person should never pray, it's "God, teach me to be content". I know I've said this over and over again throughout this study, but PAUL IS IN PRISON!!!!! You wanna talk about someone backing up his words with actions!?! It would be easy to read this and say "Yeah, but Paul never went through what I'm going through." And you'd be right. I'm sure he never had to deal with his best friend getting a new video game, when all you have is this old one. All he had to deal with was Prison (twice), shipwreck (three times), beaten with rods (three times), stoned (not the good kind :p) (once). Not to mention the verbal attacks which I'm sure were constant.
When you have nothing it's easy to go into survival mode. It's when we start to get a little bit that we look around and say, why can't I have that? That's when we need to learn to focus on what God has given us, and look for ways to be a blessing to others (by the way, the word "concern" above could be translated as giving money).
-Jeff-
Philippians 4: 8-9
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
I'm blessed with the type of personality that assumes that everyone likes me. I don't pretend that everyone wants to be my friend, but I'm shocked when I find out someone's mad at me. When I meet you, you can do anything short of spit in my face and I'll leave thinking that we had a good conversation. I know not everyone is wired that way, but I thank God for making me like that. I rarely read into things, and honestly it's better that way. I could spend all my time analyzing things and making assumptions, but in the end what's the point?
So rather then dwelling on whether or not someone likes you, spend time thinking about the good things in life, and the God of peace will be with you.
-Jeff-
Philippians 4: 6-7
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When I was younger we used to always say "Pray through for the Breakthrough!" God wants us to come to Him with our problems. If there's something that's bothering you, take it to Him. And not just one time, but continually until you get your answer. What you'll find is that after you've prayed enough God will send you His peace, and you won't be able to understand what happened, but you're just not worried like you were 10 minutes ago. The Bible calls that faith, and it calls faith a shield, and a shield is a piece of armor that you use to protect either your heart or your mind. So if you learn to pray through, the enemy won't be able to assault you with worry, because your heart will be protected.
Are there areas in your life that need protection?
-Jeff-
Philippians 4: 4-5
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
I guess this verse doesn't really need an explanation does it? Be joyful all the time. Don't get caught up in the pettiness of life, but fix your focus on Heaven. When you're having a bad day, remember that soon you won't be here anymore, and when you're having a great day, thank God for it!
What kind of day are you having today?
-Jeff-
Philippians 4: 1-3
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
1Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
I feel bad for Euodia and Syntyche, and not just because their parents hated them (I know this because their parents gave them such awful names!), but because when we get into a fight, maybe our friends hear about it, and sometimes the whole school hears about it. But in this case, everyone who's read the New Testament for the last 2,000 years has heard of their fight! I wonder what it was? Part of me thinks it was probably a fight over what color the new church carpet should be. Or maybe it had to do with whether the Bible study should be on Mondays or Tuesdays. Whatever it was, these were mature Christian women who got into the Bible for their fighting. I read this as Paul saying, "Oh come on... Just get over it already!"
And how many times do we fight with people over stupid stuff, when the whole world is at stake? What would happen if we shifted our thinking from getting our own way to how to win the lost more effectively? Why does this stuff always consume us?
Here's a trick I've learned: "I'm sorry, you're right, I'm an idiot" Say that and fights end almost instantly. There are times when you'll have to stand up to someone, but most of the time it's just petty. Our church secretary Lynnette says we need to learn to be more like ducks, and allow all of the bad things to just roll off our backs.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 18-21
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
18For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
If your God is really your stomach, does that mean my God is bigger than yours? Sorry, I couldn't resist... Nevermind... Anyways... If you've ever gone on vacation for a period of time you know that eventually your thoughts turn towards home. I doesn't matter how much fun you're having, you start to miss your friends, or your routine, or your Wii. When Tiffanney and I got married we went to Hawaii for our Honeymoon. It was glorious! We had so much fun there, laying on the beach, then swimming in the ocean, then swimming in the pool, then laying next to the pool, it was one of the coolest things I've ever done. But something strange happened around day four or five. We found ourselves longing for home. That's right, we wanted to leave HAWAII and return to rainy, dreary, cloudy Washington! (We've vowed that when we go back, we won't make that same mistake, lol).
If you are a Christian the Bible says that you are born again and that you become a citizen of Heaven! And as a citizen of Heaven we should be focused on that eternal prize, rather than on food, pleasure or any of the other things that so often sidetrack us. So forget those things today and try to live life looking towards the prize!
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 15-17
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
15All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
In yesterdays devo we talked about running the race focused on God, and today Paul tells us that if we're mature, we'll do just that. One of the things that separates people who are mature from those who are immature is there ability to stick with something. You see, maturity isn't as much about how many big words you know, in fact, often people who are mature will talk less. But when they do talk they're the ones you want to listen to, because you know it will be good.
The next sentence says exactly what you think it does. Paul says if you disagree with him, your wrong and God will be proved right! I love his boldness there, but really his confidance is in God, not himself. We've all met Christians we've disagreed with, but in the end, God's way will prove right.
So to sum up todays devo, don't open your mouth unless you know what you're talking about, because in the end God will be proved right! I'm sure there's a sermon in there somewhere.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 12-14
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Back when I was in 7th grade (no, it wasn't that long ago) I decided to try out for the track team. I wanted to maintain my basketball playing shape, and I thought being forced to run would make me a better baller. Well, let's just say my dreams of track glory ended in about 2 meets. I came in second to last (but not last place) in both meets in the 800 meters, and that was about enough for me. One thing I did learn while I was there was that when you get close to the finish line you put your head down and run through the tape. You can't slow up right before you cross the goal! If you do you will lose.
We need to learn how to push forward in the face of all obstacles, running this race with one goal in mind, to pursue God wherever He might take us!
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 10-11 Part 4
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Make sure you take the time to read parts 1-3 in the sidebar on the right. The word Christ is a greek word that is the same as the Hebrew word Messiah. The word Messiah literally means "The Anointed One". The word anoint means to pour, or to smear on. In the old testament (the first part of the Bible), when someone would become a leader, or a king, they would be "anointed" with oil as a symbol of their new power. The Bible says that we've been given a new power too.
The Bible says that the same power that raised Christ Jesus from the dead is at work in us. That same anointing that Jesus had, which allowed Him to perform miracles, heal the sick and raise the dead is the same anointing that God has placed on us. When we come to know Christ, that anointing that was poured on Him will rub off on us. That's what Paul means when he says he wants to know the power of God. I know that's what I want. I want to see God use me to perform miracles. How cool is that, right?
The last part of this verse talks about the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. God wants us to walk in the power of God, but if you remember back to our study of Phil 2: 9-11 the reason that Jesus was exalted was because he humbled Himself. When you go out of your way to reach out to someone, it's not because you're trying to be the bigger person. When you humble yourself to serve someone else, don't think of it as being humiliating. Because when you do those things, God honors that and gives you more of His anointing. If Jesus was the ultimate servant, and we want to be closer to Him, we need to be willing to serve.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 10-11 Part 3
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
If you haven't had the chance to read parts one and two yet, check out the sidebar and click over to them first. It will help to get us all on the same page. Yesterday we learned that Christ isn't Jesus' last name, but it was a title used to describe the person the Jews were looking to for salvation from the Romans. We heard the word Messiah thrown around a lot during the last election, and while I think most of it was sarcasm, it still shows that people feel helpless and needed someone to show them the way. That's what Jesus did for us. He showed up when we were at our lowest point and rescued us. If you want to know more about this salvation that God has offered us, click here.
What I love about God though, is that He didn't just save us and then leave us on our own. When we read Philippians 2: 12-13, we saw that salvation wasn't a one time event, but rather something that needs to be lived out. We will only be able to live this out if we have a relationship with Jesus. anything short of that will eventually lead to us turning away from God. Take some time to pray and just be with God today.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 10-11 Part 2
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Sometimes when you read through the Bible you need to stop on a verse and look a little deeper into it. Often there is more than one meaning to a scripture, or at least more than one thing we can learn from it. So we're going to take a couple days to look over these verses and see how much truth we can learn from them.
This may come as a surprise to some, but the Bible wasn't written in English. In fact, the Bible we have today is a translation of the original, which was written over more than a thousand years by people in different countries, who spoke at least 3 different languages. I bring this up because there's a word in our text today that's not English. We skip over it all the time, but when we understand what that word means it will help us understand several portions of the Bible. That word is Christ.
The word Christ wasn't Jesus' last name. He didn't get it because Joseph Christ married Mary Christ, and they had a baby named Jesus Christ. The word Christ is actually a greek word that is a translation of the Hebrew word Messiah. The Messiah was the person the Jews were looking for to save them from the Roman occupation. So when Paul says I want to know Christ, he's talking about his savior! There's so much more, but you'll have to wait til tomorrow.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 10-11 Part 1
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
If I had to pick one verse as my favorite, out of the entire Bible, this one would probably be the one. I've preached more times on these two verses than any other, I've spent more time thinking about it, memorizing it, praying about what it means. This is a good verse. So what is Paul trying to say?
I want to know Christ! If you never learned anything else but poured your life into that one statement, I'm convinced you'd be okay. I want to truly know Him though, like Moses or Abraham did, because they talked with Him face to face, or like the disciples who followed Him around for 3 1/2 years (and the rest of their lives after that). I just want to know Christ!
Spend today thinking about ways to get to know your Savior better.
-Jeff-
Part 2 coming tomorrow
Philippians 3: 8-9
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
In this passage the two words that really stick out to me are "surpassing greatness". What is the greatness that is being surpassed? All of our stuff. Paul says I consider everything a loss compared with how great it is to know God and to have His righteousness.
Now righteousness simply means "right standing before God". You see, our righteousness cannot come through the law, because none of us are good enough. We will never make it on our own. Nothing we can do can make us right with God, which is why He gives us His righteousness. If you haven't made the decision to follow Christ yet, now is your opportunity.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 2-7
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 2Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
Today's post deals with something that we don't talk about anymore, and yet it was massively important not only to them, but to us as well. The issue of circumcision was important to them because it was a sign of God's covenant with Abraham. Circumcision was the sign for them of being "saved". If you were circumcised, you were in, if not, you couldn't be right with God.
In this passage Paul lists all of the great things he's done. He talks about his studies, how strict he was in following the law, and how he even went as far as to persecute Christians. Among Jews of his day, Paul was a rock star.
But listen to the next verse: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. In other words, not only didn't he gain anything from all that stuff, but he said it was a loss to him. I think Paul thought about all of the stuff as a waste of time, and I think he was sad that he had thought it was so important before.
So what do you care about? Athletics? Grades? Popularity? Take some time today to think about things that are eternal, and place your focus on them.
-Jeff-
Philippians 3: 1
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). What does that mean? It's easy to get wrapped up in life, to anticipate the next video game or to get hurt when a friend talks about you behind your back. In fact, when we allow ourselves to think about that stuff, it's easy to assume that God isn't taking care of us or that He doesn't love us. And when we think about that too much, it's easy to walk away completely. So when Paul says that rejoicing in the Lord helps to safeguard our faith, it's pretty obvious, and yet Paul also says it over and over (and over and over) in the next two chapters. Keep reading and I'll show you all about it.
Take sometime today to thank God for His goodness and for taking care of you.
-Jeff-
Philippians 2: 25-30
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
25But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27Indeed 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. 28Therefore 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. 29Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, 30because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.
Christians, like anyone else, can become really short sighted. It's easy to bash on older people because they don't like the same style of music, or they think it's too loud, or they won't give up their spots in the church, etc. Sometimes we get really narrow minded when we look at church styles, assuming that our way is the best way. What we don't realize is that there are others in the church who have seen church work in a particular style. I got the chance to sit down and talk with one of the older saints in our church recently, and he told me all about how they built the church, and how they got the property and everything else. And you know what? I listened to him and I honored him, because he paved the way for our church to be where it is right now. So the next time we want to complain about so and so doing whatever, remember that they were here first, and take a moment to honor them.
-Jeff-
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