God Speaks
In a Letter to the Philippians, Paul Addresses How to Live Out Joy In Christ Even In Difficult Circumstances
Verse of the Day: And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ–to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Philippians 1
Reflection: The Apostle Paul (along with Timothy) wrote this letter to the leaders and other believers in Christ in Philippi while in prison. It is a very joy-filled book. Whether Paul is discussing his sufferings, his possible death, the jealousy of other Christian leaders, or other opposition, he continually rejoices in the fact that the Gospel is being preached, received, and acted upon. Paul, like Jesus, endured much suffering for the joy set before him, seeing many people set free from the guilt and power of sin and growing in their faith in God. Paul was sure that the power of the Holy Spirit which began the work of salvation and transformation in the Philippians (and all believers) would bring it to completion when Christ Jesus returns. This was why Paul worked so hard and endured so much in defending the truth and telling still others about Christ. He saw things (good and bad) working out as “a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ.” (Philippians 1:12 TLB) The Gospel was being preached and Paul was glad. He went on to urge the Philippians to cooperate with each other and the Holy Spirit for the same purpose.
Prayer: Dear God whom Paul so joyously served, please help me and other believers to live as he lived and pray as he prayed. I’m borrowing a small sample of such a prayer, “My prayer for [believers I know and those I don’t] is that [they] will overflow more and more with love for others, and at the same time keep on growing in spiritual knowledge and insight, for I want [them] always to see clearly the difference between right and wrong, and to be inwardly clean, no one being able to criticize [them] from now on until our Lord returns. May [they] always be doing those good, kind things which show that [they] are a child of God, for this will bring much praise and glory to the Lord.” (Philippians 1:9-11 TLB) May I and other believers live like Paul “in eager expectation and hope that [we] will never do anything that will cause [us] to be ashamed of [ourselves] but that [we] will always be ready to speak out boldly for Christ . . . and that [we] will always be an honor to Christ whether [we] live or whether [we] must die.” (Philippians 1:20 TLB) I particularly pray this for my brothers and sisters in Christ who are currently facing live-threatening persecution anywhere in the world today. Wherever believers in Christ are and whatever level of opposition we are facing, I pray that we will stand “firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel, not being frightened in any way by [our] opponents.” (Philippians 1:27-28 HCSB) I rejoice to think that we will not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will thank God for those who led me to faith in Christ Jesus and/or have helped to transform my life and develop my trust in and obedience to Him. (Be specific.)
- I will thank God for ways He is using even negative circumstances to advance the spread of the gospel around the world. (Be specific.)
- I will ask the Lord to show me people I can partner with to help spread the gospel, then contact them.
- I will ask myself at the end of each day, “Was what I did today worthy of Jesus’s suffering and death on my behalf or reflect His goodness?” [If the answer is no, I will ask the Holy Spirit who lives in me to forgive me, cleanse me, and help me to improve tomorrow.]
Philippians 2
Reflection: Paul was in prison after establishing the church at Philippi; God used Paul’s letter to the church there to encourage the Gentiles that they could also become believers in Christ. . How could they cheer him up or cheer him on? How can any group of believers bring cheer and encouragement to their leaders? Paul said, “. . . make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish [greedy]; don’t try to impress others [with your ‘woke-ness’?]. Be humble, thinking of others as better [more significant] than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” (Philippians 2:2-4 NLT) Paul goes on to tell how Christ gave us an example how to do that [see 2:6-11] Paul goes on to describe how they [we] should be living in verses 2:12-15. We should, “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (verse 15). Further, Paul used Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of men who exhibited this kind of behavior as they cared for Paul on behalf of the Philippians and for them on his behalf.
Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, You care for all Your children. We trust You to set leaders like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus over Your flock. You already sent Jesus as our Savior and example of living a pure, self-giving life. Please empower us by Your Spirit to really put into practice what He and they modeled for us. We need to do this out of love for You, to bring joy to our leaders, and to further the spread of the Gospel, causing unbelievers to take note and turn to You. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will look for ways to come into agreement with other believers and work with them in spreading the good news about Jesus, then carry them out.
- I will have conversations with at least three other people, even those with whom I disagree, seeking to clarify my understanding of their viewpoint.
- I will look for ways to put the interests of others ahead of my own, then do them.
- I will make a list (at least 10) of people like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus that I can look to as role models. These can be people I know or read about in books.
Philippians 3
Reflection: Can we really say that whatever happens we remind each other to be glad in the Lord? After all Paul was writing this from prison and warning the Philippians about false teachers who were making trouble for them and him. He went on to clarify that our salvation is not based on outward actions or rituals like circumcision, but by worshiping God in our spirit, relying on what Jesus has done for us, and obeying the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Paul gave his heritage and personal experience as evidence of how he used to rely on his own efforts to be right with God. But now he considered all these self-efforts and noteworthy accomplishments as worthless garage compared to knowing Christ Jesus in all His power and glory. Paul set aside these things he formerly highly valued in order to “become one with [Christ], no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save [him]; for God’s way of making us right with Himself depends on faith–counting on Christ alone. [When he gave] up everything else–[he] found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought Him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with Him. So, whatever it [would take, Paul was determined to] be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead.” (Philippians 3:9-11 TLB] Paul didn’t consider himself perfect or complete, but he continually strained toward the goal to receive the prize God had in store for him in heaven, his (and other faithful believers’) eternal homeland. We believers are not to get too absorbed in things here on earth. We are to keep looking forward to Christ’s return. When He does come back, He will change our dying bodies into ones like His own. By His mighty power, Jesus Christ will conquer and rule over everything everywhere.
Prayer: Dear Almighty God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, please help me to turn away from relying on my own background and accomplishments to make me right with You. Instead, help me to rely on all that Jesus accomplished by His suffering and death on the cross. Thank You that when I give up my goals and objectives to be conformed to Him, You use my obedient suffering and death to self to shape me to be more and more like Him. You will even change my dying, earthly body to be like His glorified, resurrected one. In the meantime, help me to follow Paul’s example, the principles he taught in his letters and the patterns set by godly people through the centuries. I want to live on earth as a citizen and good representative of heaven until Jesus comes to take me there where I will see Him rule, and we will bring You glory forever. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will examine my own motives to see if I have been relying on my own background and accomplishments to give me right standing with God or relying on Christ’s obedience, suffering, death, and resurrection.
- I will ask a trusted believing friend to honestly tell me if I have been a good representative of heaven or not.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to serve and suffer well, so that He can continually make me more like Christ.
- I will read and contemplate a book on heaven (like Heaven by Randy Alcorn) so that I can be better prepared for where, by God’s grace and my faith in Christ, I will spend eternity.
Philippians 4
Reflection: Paul longed to meet in person with the believers in Philippi because he considered their growth in living for Christ to be his joy and the Lord’s reward for his work among them. Whatever the disagreement between the two women, it could be resolved if they would come together and rejoice in the Lord; if they would be unselfish and considerate of each other; if they would remember that the Lord is coming soon; if they would not worry but pray about everything, and if they would tell God their problems and thank Him for His answers. Then they would experience God’s peace which is more wonderful than the human mind can grasp. His peace would keep their hearts and minds at rest as they trusted in Jesus and obeyed Him. What is most important is that we focus on whatever is true, good, right, pure, and lovely, and let our minds dwell on the fine, good traits in others. We need to be grateful and praise God for all He has done for us in Christ. If we want to experience the peace that only God can give, we must be continually putting into practice the principles Paul and the other writers of scripture taught and modeled. Like Paul, we need to learn to be content in whatever circumstances God has allowed in our lives. After all, “[we] can do everything God asks [us] to with the help of Christ who gives [us] the strength and power.” (Philippians 4:13 TLB) Our gifts to God’s workers are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that pleases God. He will reward us for them in His time and in His way. In the meantime, we can trust Him to “supply all [our] needs from His riches in glory, because of what Christ Jesus has done for us.”
Prayer: Dear Father God who so graciously guides and provides for His children, please help me to put into practice the principles Paul laid out for the two quarrelling women. Please help me to rejoice in You always; seek to be unselfish and considerate of others; not to worry about anything, but to pray (talk with You) about everything; and always thank You in the midst of it all however You respond. Then You promise to give me Your peace of mind and heart. You always keep Your promises. Please help me to “[f]ix [my] thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all [I] can praise [You] for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all [I] learned from [Paul and other writers of scripture] and what [they modeled. Then You,] the God of peace will be with [me]. ” (Philippians 4:8-9 TLB) “Now unto [You] God our Father be glory forever and ever.” (Philippians 4:20) AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, which one of these He wants you to work on or something else more personal that He points out.)
- Whenever I speak or interact with people (like on social media) I will follow this anonymous advice I was given: I will THINK first: T is it true? H is it helpful? I is it inspiring? N is it necessary? K is it kind?
- I will be on the lookout for how my brothers and sisters in Christ are carrying this out and compliment them.
- I will meet with a younger believer to encourage them and model the behaviors mentioned in this chapter.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to keep my mind focused on all the good, kind, beautiful things mentioned here.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.