September 24, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Leviticus and Philippians? Here’s today’s reading:
Philippians 1 (NIV)
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you.……Continue Reading
Philippians 1
Philippians 1
According to the introduction, Phillippi was colony of retired Roman soldiers. Looking in Acts 16:11-40 you see Paul`s secondary journey to this place. Paul and Silas were beaten and put in prison. While they were in prison; they gave glory to God. They prayed and sang praises to God and at midnight the doors of the prison were opened. The jailor comes to Christ and his whole household. Before they were imprisoned; they spoke to women and Lydia a business women heart was opened {came to Christ} and then was baptized including her household. These are the people of Phillippi that Paul is now writing to again now in prison for the cause of Christ. Most believe that Paul was in Rome when he wrote this book. And of course many others were saved here and they started a church. This church contributed to Paul all of his days. Because of his boldness of preaching Christ even in chains; many others became bold also to preach Christ. May we ever be so bold. As he said in Phil. 1:21 {For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.} But when speaking for Christ, remember that we represent Christ and are His lights to a dark world. Without Christ they are doomed to Hell. We are to carry ourselves in such away that glorifies Him. As we draw closer to the Lord; He will help us to speak boldly for Him. He will give us knowledge and discernment and to be filled with all the fruits of righteousness. Phil. 1:9-11. God bless you all.
A letter of joy. From a Roman prison. Can only think this morning of pastors messages as of late. Paul has known poverty and he has known riches. But he considers them all rubbish compared to knowing Christ more and even sharing in his sufferings. To find true joy not in our circumstances but true joy of Jesus is what we need to do. Imagine being a soldier chained to Paul. What do you think the conversation was like. As Paul writes. The whole palace guard knew of the gospel. And his chains give people strength to boldly preach To live is Christ. And to die is gain. How true a statement. We are here on earth for a short time. No matter where we are. Let others see Jesus by just being who God has meant us to be. Full of joy. No matter what our circumstances. As ambassadors for Christ. We can rest when our lord calls us home
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
”For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.“
Philippians 1:21-23 NKJV
We all should live in this tension of recognizing that to die or be raptured and be with Christ is better, but to remain and minister is fruitful in the interim. Paul seems confident that he will remain….not sure how he knows.
”Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,“
Philippians 1:24-25 NKJV
In verse 18, Paul expresses that the gospel is truth regardless of who preaches it or for what motive it is preached.
The truth is the truth.
So many good nuggets in this chapter. What assurance there is in our sanctification that God is committed to that work and will move that forward as long as we are willing to participate with Him. And we do that by letting our love grow in knowledge and depth of insight. Love may not lead us to discern what is best, but knowledge by itself may not accomplish what is best, expressing the right heart in certain matters. And we also participate with Him by growing in purity and righteousness so that we can become blameless, not perfect but not having a charge be able to brought against us. Another way we participate with Him is to have a passion for the gospel that Paul had where he thought little of his condition and reputation, but much of the condition and reputation of the gospel. And all of this flows from the mindset that to live is Christ and to die is gain. What a beautiful way to express the essential nature of the Christian life. It’s not about who we are, or what we gain…but it is about Jesus! How can we best live out His life, and His will in our lives. And then realize that there is no shoe that can drop, no circumstance that can happen that really matters, because if I die, then it is gain. How easy it is in our current world not to think like Paul. Boy would it be good to go home!!! Yet, there is so much to do, so many lives to impact, so many opportunities to share Christ!!! The world needs the light and salt that we bring. Let’s make sure we shine bright and remain salty..in the right way…
I’m repeating what Pastor said because it reasonated with me this morning: “It’s not about who WE are, or what we GAIN, it’s about Jesus. How we can best live out HIS life and HIS will for our lives.”
Philippians 1