Category: Philippians

I thank my God every time I remember you (Philippians 1:3).

In college I had a prayer wall, where I had pictures of friends and family posted.  There was no rhyme or reason to the arrangement—just dozens of snapshots stapled to the wall of a dorm room.  Every time I looked at those pictures, I remembered people who were important in my life. Some I saw every day; some were thousands of miles from me. Just seeing those photos prompted me to pray for them.

This is what Paul is talking about.  These are people he cares for, people who are important to him.  He wants them to know that he is thinking about them, covering them in prayer even when he can’t be with them. He may not  have snapshots, or staples for that matter, but the principle’s the same.

Who’s on your prayer wall, Beloved?  Whose face popped into your mind when you read this Scripture?  Spend some time in prayer for them today. Start your weekend by bringing someone you love before the throne of God.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons…(Philippians 1:1).

I’m feeling a little Philippianial.

Shall we?

Much of this letter to the Church at Philippi is going to be concerned with knowing who we are and whose we are. Paul hits the ground running. He identifies himself as a servant of Christ–not an apostle, but a servant. He takes the humble route–a road he will encourage us to travel in a little bit–undermining any thoughts the Philippians may have had about boasting or bragging by pointing out that he, The Paul, is merely a servant.

Then he turns to his audience and addresses them as saints. Holy Ones, whom the Lord of the Universe has chosen as his own. There can be no higher position in creation. It’s like, before he even begins his discourse, Paul is sending us a message:

You are so much more than you think.

And so much less.

Chew on that today, Beloved.

Happy Wednesday

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen (Philippians 4:23).

Well, Beloved…we did it.

The entire book of Philippians

Go us.

So…Paul signs off with a simple sentence, a benediction to his readers. But it’s more than a simple, “That’s all, folks!” He manages to encapsulate, in a few words, a big chunk of the Christian life:

1. It’s grace–you can’t earn it.
2. It’s Jesus–always, ever Jesus.
3. It’s your spirit–God works from the inside out.

Take that reminder with you into your Friday.

The Lord of Everything chooses to love you, in spite of…well…you. He’s given you all you need to live and to serve and to be amazing.

So, go live.

Go serve.

Go be amazing.

Happy Friday, Beloved.

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

The key word here is needs.

And God.  God is always a key word.

And, you know, Christ Jesus.

But right now I’m talking about needs.

God will give me what I need, just like any loving father. Not every want or desire or whim of my flesh, but my every need. And what I need, more than anything…

is him.

This ties back into the idea of contentment. When I trust God I am satisfied with what I have, not stressed about what I don’t. This frees me to give. Giving to God’s people brings me closer to him, which deepens my reliance on him, causing me to trust him more, producing greater contentment with my situation, which frees me to give, drawing me closer…

Let the circle be unbroken.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles (Philippians 4:14).

God is all you need.

But

people…that can be nice, too.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.

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 4:13).

The secret isn’t a what. It’s a who. Not the Seuss kinda who.

Jesus

The answer to human nature

The only thing we truly can never get enough of

Beloved, if you are in Christ, then what you have today is his provision for you. Rejoice in it–whatever it is. It is enough.

Beloved, if you are in Christ, then who you are today is the result of his work in you. Rejoice in it–whatever it is. You are enough.

Happy Tuesday, Beloved.

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty (Philippians 4:12).

When I was 19 I lived alone in a little cabin in the mountains. I had just started a new job and didn’t know that paychecks often came a few weeks behind the actual work dates.

Surprise

At one point I was living off generic ramen noodles with the occasional egg tossed in. In the last day or two before payday, the eggs were long gone and the ramen ran out and I engaged in what I called a financial fast–code for no money with which to eat. I sat at an empty table and read my Bible during meal times, going for the whole spiritual food is more valuable than physical food deal.

It ranks as one of the best times of my life.

These days I never go hungry. At least, not physically.

Hmm.

Happy Monday, Beloved

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances (Philippians 4:11).

The word I hold on to here is learned.

Learned gives me hope. It tells me that Paul wasn’t always content, either. That word lets me know that Paul was once like me, looking forward and backward and all around instead of being content with where he was, who he was, what God was doing in the moment. And if Paul can learn…

When I was a little kid I thought that content was a verb. The only time I encountered the word was on aerosol cans–you know, contents under pressure. I thought that meant that the stuff inside the can would do something–would content–if you squeezed it. I’m not sure what I thought it would do, exactly. Explode or something, I guess. The concept was intriguing and vaguely unsettling.

But content is not a verb, is it? It’s not something you do.

And that’s the point.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. (Philippians 4:10).

I’m a schoolteacher.  Because of our schedule, there is one month during the summer when I get no paycheck. For many years I covered the gap by teaching summer school.  It was tight, but it worked.

Until the year they decided–at the last minute–not to offer summer school.

Uh, oh.

Cathy and I mentioned our tight situation as a prayer request in our Sunday School class. Together we prayed that God would provide, and he did.

Through them

Our brothers and sisters in Christ showed up the next week with trunks full of supplies for us. Love made manifest in produce. I gotta tell you, it was uncomfortable being on the receiving end of such a thing. It was humbling, and I’ve never enjoyed being humbled. I felt stupid and inadequate and distinctly loserly.

But the gift was given in joy, not judgement. One look told me that our friends were genuinely happy to have the chance and the ability to help. We were blessed. They were blessed. The Father was pleased.

Beloved, don’t miss out on your opportunity to give today.

Or your opportunity to receive.

Each can be a blessing.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved.