Read the Bible in a Year (11DEC19)

DAILY REMINDER – Today, December 11’s Bible reading is Philippians 1-4.

NEXT DAY REMINDER – Tomorrow, December 12’s Bible reading is Colossians 1-4. May God bless you with the reading of His WORD.

PHILIPPIANS’ Introduction

The letter to the Philippians, also known as the Prison Letter, along with Ephesians, Colossians and Philemon, was written during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment around 61 A.D. The church at Philippi had sent a gift through Epaphroditus to Paul, but he became sick while in Rome and was eager to return home. Paul wrote this brief letter to express his thanks and appreciation to them.  This book centers around being joyful in the Lord, but Paul also gave warnings for them to look out for such as selfish ambitions, human righteousness, faithlessness, and pride. Paul also talks about the incarnate Christ and admonishes them to endure to the end in peace and love.

 

PHILIPPIANS MOMENT – (10DEC19) “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain” (Philippians 2:14-16). Paul found himself imprisoned in Rome at the time of this letter for the sake of Christ. Nonetheless, he was not discouraged nor dismayed but took joy for being found worthy to endure such trials. The church in Philippi sent Epaphroditus as a representative to Paul in Rome to give him gifts. While there, Epaphroditus got deathly ill, and the church grew worried about him, so he was eager to return home to relieve them of their worries. Prior to his return, Paul wrote this letter to thank them for their generosity in sending his fellow co-worker with gifts and to give them words of both encouragement and warning so that they may live in unity.

As a result of Paul being imprisoned, he was a witness for Christ to the whole palace guard, and many fellow believers became more confident and bolder in their teachings. Then there were those who preached out of impure motives because they wanted to stir up trouble for Paul. Paul, nevertheless, did not get angry, for God was the One who would judge them according to their deeds. Paul admonished the church to serve the Lord out of the same humility that Christ did, for He became a servant and did not see himself as being God’s equal to take advantage of his position. God rewarded Him by exalting Him above every name whereas all knees will bow. Therefore, we are to have the same humility towards Him and with others, so that He may reward us as well in being His humble servants. We are to do this cheerfully without grumbling or complaining.

The Apostle Paul could have been bitter about his circumstances, but he was quite the opposite. He wrote: “…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I 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. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:11b-13). How many of us would have the same attitude as Paul if we had to be imprisoned for our beliefs or for spreading the Gospel?

The day may soon come when we will be tested as to if we will stand for Christ or deny Him. We should all ask Jesus to prepare our hearts to make the ultimate stand for Him. So many Christians in the WEST believe that they will escape such things in a pretribulation rapture, but  in any case, would you give your life for Jesus as the apostles and many within the early church did? Would you forgo your job as a teacher if you were told to misgender a child? Would you leave your church if they endorsed homosexual marriage? Would you be willing to lose your life’s savings if you were required to take a microchip implant? What if you were told to never speak in the name of Jesus or you would lose your freedom, would you risk it all for Christ? Many may celebrate the birth but few will not stand for the King. We must all evaluate ourselves and ask the Lord to prepare our hearts for if and when such a time as this should arise. Something to ponder….