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APRIL 30 DEVOTIONAL– PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20 Generosity

APRIL 30 – PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20

GOSPEL GENEROSITY

Today, we continue our reading plan by looking at the Philippians generosity. Paul looked on their missionary gift as an investment that would pay them rich spiritual dividends. The church entered into an arrangement of “giving and receiving”; the church gave materially to Paul, and received spiritually from the Lord. The Lord keeps the books and will never fail to pay one spiritual dividend!

Paul looked on their gift as a spiritual sacrifice, laid on the altar to the glory of God. There are such things as “spiritual sacrifices” in the Christian life (see 1 Peter 2:5). We are to yield our bodies as spiritual sacrifices (Rom. 12:1–2), as well as the praise of our lips (Heb. 13:15). Good works are a sacrifice to the Lord (Heb. 13:16), and so are the lost souls that we are privileged to win to Christ (Rom. 15:16; it is God doing the work, we are just a vessel He is using). Here, Paul sees the Philippian believers as priests, giving their offering as a sacrifice to the Lord. In the light of Malachi 1:6–14, we need to present the very finest that we have to the Lord

Contentment comes from adequate resources. Our resources are the providence of God, the power of God, and the promises of God. These resources made Paul sufficient for every demand of life, and they can make us sufficient too.

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (NASB)

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Find contentment in Christ, not in material things.
  • Trust God with your worries, trials, and tribulations. He will meet your needs.
  • When God gives to His obedient children, He gives according to His infinite riches in glory

CLOSER LOOK:

Read More »APRIL 30 DEVOTIONAL– PHILIPPIANS 4:14-20 Generosity

April 22 – Philippians 4:4-8 Devotional – Rejoice in the Lord

APRIL 24 – PHILIPPIANS 4: 4-8

REJOICE IN THE LORD

If anybody had an excuse for worrying, it was the Apostle Paul. His beloved Christian friends at Philippi were disagreeing with one another, and he was not there to help them. We have no idea what Euodia and Syntyche were disputing about, but whatever it was, it was bringing division into the church. Paul does not write, “Pray about it!” He is too wise to do that. He uses three different words to describe “right praying”: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. “Right praying” involves all three.

Whenever we find ourselves worrying, our first action ought to be to get alone with God and worship Him. Adoration is what is needed. We must see the greatness and majesty of God! We must realize that He is big enough to solve our problems. Too often we rush into His presence and hastily tell Him our needs when we ought to approach His throne calmly and in deepest reverence. The first step in “right praying” is adoration. The second is supplication, an earnest sharing of our needs and problems. After adoration and supplication comes appreciation, giving thanks to God (see Eph. 5:20; Col. 3:15–17).

We are prone to pray about the “big things” in life and forget to pray about the so-called “little things”—until they grow and become big things! Talking to God about everything that concerns us and Him is the first step toward victory over worry. The result is that the “peace of God” guards the heart and the mind.

Peace involves the heart and the mind. “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You” (Isa. 26:3). Wrong thinking leads to wrong feeling, and before long the heart and mind are pulled apart and we are strangled by worry. We must realize those thoughts are real and powerful, even though they cannot be seen, weighed, or measured. We must bring “into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).

Read More »April 22 – Philippians 4:4-8 Devotional – Rejoice in the Lord

April 22 – Philippians 3:17-21 Devotional – Hope in God Alone

APRIL 22 – PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21

HOPE IN GOD ALONE

Today, we are reminded that our hope is in God alone. Many in this world are led by their appetites and desires for things, materials, and possessions. They focus on the earthy things and the things that do not matter. All of this is especially convicting for me as someone who struggles with self-control and discipline, especially when it comes to food. In this passage, Paul again called on his readers to follow his own example and not that of the Judaizers.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul says: “Follow my example of living, not the example of those who walk after the world.”
  • Righteousness cannot be gained by our works; it is found only by faith in Christ. Therefore, forsake all things, just to know him; and press toward the goal of spiritual maturity, keeping in view the goal of your eternal home in heaven.
  • Our Hope is in God. Look forward to that day with Him
Read More »April 22 – Philippians 3:17-21 Devotional – Hope in God Alone

Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 21 Psalm 18:1-2

APRIL 21 – PSALM 18:1-2

GOD IS MY ROCK & FORTRESS

Today, we look at a short section of Scripture to remind ourselves of who God is. Just as David did, it is good to remember who God is and how He is our Rock, shelter, fortress, and stronghold, especially in times of trouble. Throughout this lengthy Psalm, we see David remember many ways in which God delivered Him. During these difficult times, it is good for us to do likewise in remembering the ways God has provided and cared for us.

1 “I love You, O Lord, my strength.”

2 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;

My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (NASB)

Key Takeaways:

Read More »Covid-19 Quarantine Devotional – April 21 Psalm 18:1-2

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