• Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 27, 2020

    Running the Race – #6 Philippians 1:18-24 – What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 26, 2020

    Running the Race – #5 Philippians 1:12-17 – Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 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. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 25, 2020

    Running the Race – #4 Philippians 1:9-11 – And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9‭-‬11 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.1.9-11.NASB In today’s society, we hear a lot about love. People talk about how we should love one another and we should act in love. And God’s word supports that, to an extent. Here Paul is reminding the…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 24, 2020

    Running the Race Philippians 1:6-8 – For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6‭-‬8 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.1.6-8.NASB We are not perfect. I realize that probably doesn’t come as a shock to…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 23, 2020

    Running the Race Philippians 1:3-5 – I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3‭-‬5 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.1.3-5.NASB Yesterday we saw Paul’s prayer for grace and peace for the people of Philippi. Today we see that praying for them gives Paul joy. Do we take joy in our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do we lift others up in prayer and remember them, or are we too focused on ourselves all the time? How can we increase our focus on praying for…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – February 22, 2020

    Running The Race Over the next several weeks, we are going to study through Philippians. This great book helps us understand how to run the race of life in a way that God has called us to run. Read Philippians 1:1-2. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:1‭-‬2 NASB https://bible.com/bible/100/php.1.1-2.NASB This initial greeting sets the stage for the book. Paul, the apostle and missionary to the Gentiles is the one who wrote the book. He is sending this…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – May 27, 2017

    Greet others with grace. That is how Paul ends Philippians. In chapter 4, verses 21-23, Paul indicates that they should greet each other in Christ Jesus. He explains that the Believers where he is send their greeting. Then he goes on to state that the grace of the Lord Jesus should be with us. As we encounter other believers, we are to see them as we would see Jesus. We’re to treat them as we would treat Jesus. And in many cases, that means giving them Grace. Seeing the best side of them is part of how Grace can look when we’re around other people. Other people are not perfect.…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – May 25, 2017

    Are we truly thankful? In Philippians 4:10-13 we see Paul expressing his heartfelt thanks for the people of Philippi and all they had provided for him. Paul clarifies that he thanks them, not so that he can get more from them, but so they receive recognition and reward for their sacrifice. Paul explains that he can do this because he has learned the secret to being content in every situation regardless of his material surroundings. His secret? He knows that he can do anything through Jesus Christ who gives him strength. Any situation that we find ourselves in, any circumstance, we can find the way through because of the strength…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – May 24, 2017

    What are we thinking about and what are we doing? Reading Philippians 4:8-9, we see the importance of the things that we are spending our time thinking about. What we think about ultimately becomes what we do. If we are thinking about things that are right, pure, lovely, then the things that we will do will line up with those thoughts we have. If we’re spending our time thinking about things that are mean, stressful, overwhelming, unkind, then those will be the types of actions that we will do. Ultimately, our thoughts dictate our actions. We must guard our thoughts and guard our minds if we desire to have actions…

  • Devotional

    Christian Devotional – May 23, 2017

    Yesterday we saw that peace should guard our hearts. Today we learn what should be on our minds. Philippians 4:8-9 discusses what we are to spend our time filling our mind with. As we look back on our day yesterday, do those words listed in verse 8 describe our thoughts from yesterday? If not, we are to repent and start today differently. How can we do that. Surround ourselves with people and things that are like that. If we are around negative people, we will have negative thoughts. If we listen or watch negative things, we will have negative thoughts. Only by surrounding ourselves with the things of Christ will…