Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
Take a few minutes to read the entire first
chapter of Philippians, reflecting on all that we’ve covered this week:
Joyful
in Hope. Paul
and Timothy were writing to family. They had great joy because of their
fellowship — koinōnia — with their Christian brothers and sisters. They also had the joy of
knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. They had an unshakeable joy because of the hope
of eternal life with God.
“It is right for me to feel this way about
you, since I have you in my heart” (Phil. 1:7). “Whom have I in
heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my
heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:25-26).
Patient
in Affliction. Paul
was writing to the Philippians from prison. He was an incredible model of
patient endurance. What was the secret to his patience and joy? Paul kept his
eyes fixed on heavenly, not on earthly, things.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though
outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that
far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor.
4:16-18).
Faithful
in Prayer. Paul
constantly remembered the Philippians (and all the other churches) in prayer.
As he prayed for them, so too, they were praying for him. Paul confidently
asserted that, through the Philippians prayers and God’s provision, his
imprisonment would turn out for his deliverance. It was through their prayers
that he was strengthened! “And pray in the Spirit on all
occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert
and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that
whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known
the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:18-19).
God is
Faithful. Lastly,
God is faithful. He will not abandon us or leave us as orphans. He is faithful
to us even when we are faithless. It is true that the Lord rebukes those who go
astray, but “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” (Rev. 3:19). God disciplines us for our good — that we
may share in His holiness (Heb. 12:10). “Never will I leave
you, never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
Prayer: Father,
You continue to sustain us in every need. Help me turn my eyes toward You and
live a life worthy of the Gospel. Amen.
For to
me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians
1:21
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
Paul had a victorious vision for his life. He
didn’t fear death and he saw each day as a blessing from God. To live was to be
with Christ on earth and to share in the encouragement, love, and joy of his
fellow brothers and sisters. To die was to receive the crown of glory which
Jesus had won on Calvary. In short, Paul couldn’t lose. Neither can we.
Paul didn’t draw his joy from his
circumstances. If that were true, he would have had a rotten life. He wrote to
the Church in Corinth: “Five times I
have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten
with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I
spent a night and day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I
have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my
fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the
country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored
and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides
everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly
burn?” (2 Cor.11:24-27)
No, Paul’s source of joy was found in Jesus.
He fully understood that this world was fleeting and that he had everything he
could possibly want or need in Jesus Christ. That is the true meaning of
Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.” Paul
considered everything else as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ. He
bought the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46).
Rather
than complaining about the circumstances he found himself in, Paul continued to
rejoice and worship God. Through his obedience, God used Paul to reach the
entire palace guard where he was imprisoned. It’s incredible.
As you go through your day today, look for
how God is moving in your life. Place your fears and frets in His hands; trust
Him to deliver you from each snare and difficulty. Wait patiently for the Lord.
And live this day through His power and love.
Prayer: Father
God, I will fix my eyes on You. With you by my side, I will not be shaken. You
are my portion and my cup. You are my strength. You lift me up when I am
discouraged. You are my ever-present help in time of need. As I go throughout
this day, I pray that You would strengthen me by Your power and fill me with
Your love. Come, transform my faith and life. I love You. Amen.
