Philippians – December 16

When I write these blog posts I’m not writing a complete commentary on the reading, but I'm mostly writing about what stuck out to me. Even if no one ever read the posts, writing them is a huge blessing to me as I meditate on what I read. I desire that you too will read the daily reading and meditate on that which the Lord may highlight in your heart. Then go on one step further and journal what you see; the power of meditating God’s Word will deepen to another level as you do journal.

In Philippians 1:3-4 Paul writes, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” When we pray and make requests to God, there should be an expectation in our heart that God hears us, loves us, and answers our prayers. When this reality hits us, we can’t help but get happy; the joy that comes from Him wells up in us and increases that expectation of what He will do. Praise God!

Paul says in Philippians 1:8, “For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.” How wonderful and powerful it is that God places His love and affection in our heart for one another. Let’s make sure that love isn’t covered over with selfishness, unforgiveness, hurt and other such things.

Paul writes in Philippians 2:20-21 and says, (except for Timothy) “I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” What a sad commentary on so many that worked with Paul. They didn’t sincerely care for the church; their pursuit was to advance their own interests. They were trying to build their own kingdom… Uh….. I mean their own ministry. It’s one thing to be faithful to do what the Lord calls you to do, but we must ask the question, “Why do I do what I do?” Is our life really laid down in true love for others, or do our pursuits have our own interests mingled in with them? It is something to think about, and something to ask the Lord to purify in our heart. When what we do is really out of love, we don’t care what we look like, we don’t change our course when we are misunderstood, betrayed, or go through hard times. Help us all Lord to have the “mind of Christ,” being willing to humbly serve others and pick up our cross for the joy set before us (see Philippians 2:5-8).