Philippians is a letter littered with joy, and there’s a reason. If you stop and smell the roses in your life and recognize from whom all those blessings originate, you’ll see your reasons for joy. Maybe you’re still grieving from a loss in your family or the loss of a job. Grieving is healthy, and joy is, too. Everything doesn’t have to be going your way to be joyful. In the very beginning of Philippians, Paul gives us a practical thing to do to help us find some joy.
GIVE THANKS TO GOD BECAUSE HE HAS BLESSED YOUR LIFE WITH A SUPPORTIVE BELIEVING FAMILY.
OK, maybe your family is the farthest thing from believing. That’s not the family I’m talking about. The church is to what I’m referring. Then you may say that you don’t have supportive people in your life. Ask yourself why. If you’re connected and active in a Bible-believing church, I find it hard to believe that you would not have supportive believers in your life unless you need to learn some people skills, you’re way off in left field, you distance yourself from people, or it’s a horrible church. Paul said to the Philippians, “I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you” (Philippians 1:3). You may just need to take a risk and get to know some of your church family. If you don’t meet with the church regularly, that’s most probably all on you.
PAUL WAS THANKFUL…
- for the Philippians because they were very supportive of him and thinking of them brought him joy. “always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer” (Philippians 1:4 CSB).
- for the Philippians because they were supportive not just by mouth but by money. “because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:5 CSB). “And you Philippians know that…no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. …you sent gifts for my need several times. …I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided…” (Philippians 4:15-16,18 CSB).
- to God because He is faithful to finish what He starts. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 CSB).
- for the Philippians because he truly loved them from the bottom of his heart. “Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:7-8 CSB).
Look at your life. God has placed supportive believers around you which is a reason for joy. Sometimes you just need to open your eyes…or go enroll in a people-skills class.
This week you’ll read…
2 Kings 22-25: “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the Lord’s sight and walked in all the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn to the right or the left” (2 Kings 22 in The Christian Standard Bible).
1 Chronicles 22-29: “Then David blessed the Lord in the sight of all the assembly. David said, “May You be blessed, Lord God of our father Israel, from eternity to eternity. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to You. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and You are exalted as head over all. Riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler of everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and it is in Your hand to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, our God, we give You thanks and praise Your glorious name” (1 Chronicles 29 in The Christian Standard Bible).
Psalms 96-105: “My soul, bless the Lord, and all that is within me, bless His holy name. My soul, bless the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your iniquity; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with good things; your youth is renewed like the eagle” (Psalms 103 in The Christian Standard Bible).
Amos 1-9: “Look, the days are coming—this is the declaration of the Lord God—when I will send a famine through the land: not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” (Amos 8 in The Christian Standard Bible).
Philippians 1-4: “Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4 in The Christian Standard Bible).
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CSB are daily readings linked to The Christian Standard Bible on BibleGateway.com.
MSG are daily readings linked to The Message Bible on BibleGateway.com.
NLT are daily readings linked to The New Living Translation on BibleGateway.com.
Thoughts on Life and Jesus 