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Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 20 Philippians 2:12-15

APRIL 20 – PHILIPPIANS 2:12-15

LIGHTS IN THE WORLD

Continuing our reading plan, we stay in Philippians 2 by looking at verses 12-15. In this section today, Paul returns to the exhortations which he began earlier in verses 2-4. Verses 14-15 (and 16) give specific instructions on how to work out God’s “good purpose” (v. 13) concerning daily Christian living. Paul had shown them in 1:27-2:13 the kind of attitude and actions they were to follow. They were to demonstrate in their corporate and individual life this kind of conduct that would prove worthy of the great calling that God has given them. He uses all things to emphasize the inclusiveness of this command.

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world (NASB)

Key Takeaways:

Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 20 Philippians 2:12-15

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 16 Psalm 9:9-10

April 16, 2020

PSALM 9:9-10 GOD IS OUR STRONGHOLD

Today’s devotional is a quick reminder about who God is, especially during times of trouble. We are attacked often during these trials to trust ourselves, others, or other means, but this psalm speaks to the value of trusting God.

9 The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 16 Psalm 9:9-10

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 14 – Psalm 8

April 14, 2020 – The Majesty of God:

Today, we turn our attention to the Majesty of God. We focus on the only God there is and whose handiwork is all around us. Today, we look at Psalm 8 and look to follow the example of David by acknowledging God and His majesty:

1 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2     Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
4 what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

5 Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
6 You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

9 O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • The majesty of God
    • The word majestic suggests splendor and magnificence. It is a fitting note of praise for the Lord of Creation.
  • We are created as majestic creatures
    • We and all other human beings are valuable because God Himself created us in His own glorious image
  • God’s plan
    • God can use all of us no matter how strong or weak to silence evil

Context/summary:Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 14 – Psalm 8

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – PHILIPPIANS 1:15-18

April 13, 2020 – PHILIPPIANS 1:15-18

“His Kingdom”

Today, we continue our “Unshakeable” reading plan by looking again at Philippians 1. This time we look at verses 15-18. The passage reads:

15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. (ESV)

Key Takeaways:Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – PHILIPPIANS 1:15-18

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 7 Psalm 22

April 7, 2020 – Psalm 22

Today we look at Psalm 22 which talks of the Messiah being pierced. Due to time and size of discussion on this classic psalm, I will skip the verse-by-verse and instead give an overview. Much has already been said about this psalm in detail that we will skip here. There are a few verses that I want to touch on, but this is really a general overview about this classic psalm.

General Overview:

David apparently felt forsaken by God, as he was surrounded by his enemies’ scornful persecution. He lamented his tremendous suffering and his desperate struggle with death, pleading with God to deliver him from such a horrible end. Apparently, his prayer was answered, for he was able to declare to the elect and to the world that the Lord answered his prayer.Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 7 Psalm 22

Quarantine Devotional – Psalm 4 God’s Presence and Peace

April 4, 2020 – God’s presence and peace

Today, we look at Psalm 4 to see how the psalmist looks to God in prayer and puts their trust in Him. The passage reads:

Psalm 4 – Evening Prayer of Trust in God.

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!

You have relieved me in my distress;

Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

2 O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach?

How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself;

The Lord hears when I call to Him.

4 Tremble, and do not sin;

Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,

And trust in the Lord.

6 Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?”

Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O Lord!

7 You have put gladness in my heart,

More than when their grain and new wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

For You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety. (NASB)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:Read More »Quarantine Devotional – Psalm 4 God’s Presence and Peace

Quarantine Devotional – Philippians 1:12-14 Spreading the Gospel

April 3, 2020, (Spread of the Gospel)

In continuing our reading plan, today we look at Philippians 1:12-14. In this section, we read about how God used Paul to spread the Gospel in a very difficult season. It reads:

12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, 13 so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 14 and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. (Phil. 1:12-14; NASB)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Examine your situation and see the good
    • Ask God what He wants you to learn, how He wants you to grow, and what is He teaching you through these things. Paul could have been deeply depressed about his imprisonment, but saw the “joy” in that he was there for the cause of Christ by advancing and progressing the gospel message
  • Encourage others
    • Paul encouraged the Roman believers and the Philippians by being bold and courageous and telling others about Christ. Whether through word or deed, we all can look for ways to encourage fellow believers to do everything we can to advance the gospel
  • Progress and Advancement of the Gospel Message
    • The Greek word used for progress or advancing (prokopēn) the gospel was used to describe blazing a trail before an army.[1] Paul, therefore, saw the events as forging new territory for the gospel. They took Paul into contact with a select group of people, soldiers and Roman officials, who otherwise would have had no relationship to him, and they also prompted a renewed evangelistic effort in the city. While others may have seen the end of missionary activity, Paul saw the new ways the gospel could advance. The events which seemed to inhibit the freedom of the gospel became its springboard. Paul did not say “in spite of” these events, but rather “through them.” There is a note of sacrifice here. Paul’s private concerns did not matter; the gospel did.
    • This is where it is interesting for us in this new day. The virus has spread all over, and now many churches are scrambling to learn how to stream their services. Some have had more successful weeks than others. Some are dealing with overwhelming challenges; while some are already experienced in the live stream universe. (It should be remembered that we are also facing attacks from Satan and his demons as they try to derail these streaming experiences. It is something we need to remember to pray against.) Whatever the case may be, churches, pastors, and missionaries are blazing a new trail on reaching members and the masses through these trials and tribulations. Through all of these “circumstances” God is using something that we tend to see as a hindrance into something mighty and magnificent. People are now tuning into churches that others would never have tried to go to or attend. A friend of mine is pastor of a small church that has 80 normal congregants. The first week of live streaming, they had 500 people viewing their service. The next week, 3,000 people tuned in to see the service. Think about that for a second and what God did. The service experienced all sorts of technical issues and was not smooth, but the fact remains that 2,900 people viewed a church service that otherwise would never have attended any service.
    • When we come out of this, our churches are going to be far more experienced in live streaming and identifying ways to connect with the online community. We can view this with eyes that see the negative or we can take Paul’s approach and see the positive. So, when the next tribulation comes, our churches will be ready and have planned ahead for something like this. It is not easy, and it takes a lot of work. It is grueling and stressful. But God is going to do something so good that it is beyond what we can imagine. And He is already at work doing something amazing.

Read More »Quarantine Devotional – Philippians 1:12-14 Spreading the Gospel