“Every time I think of you, I thank my God. (4)And whenever I mention you in my prayers, it makes me happy. (5)This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it. (6)God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.” (CEV)
✝️ Verse 3: We note that every time the Apostle Paul thinks about the Philippian Church, he thanks Father God for them.
✝️ Verse 4: Here, the Apostle Paul states that every time he prays for Church at Philippi, it makes him very happy. Note, that Paul is in prison as he is writing this epistle; however, he is happy, because of his thoughts of the Church at Philippi reaching people for Jesus.
✝️ Verse 5: Paul states that his happiness was because every since people at Philippi started being converted, and a Church was started, the Church at Philippi had been very active in preaching the Gospel and leading other people to Jesus.
Also, we can see in Paul’s writing, that the Church at Philippi helped support him as well. The Church at Philippi we’re working as missionaries and supporting the Gospel work that Paul had began.
One commentator said, “We today might take the lesson to heart that the sign of our professed love for the gospel is the measure of sacrifice we are prepared to make in order to help its progress.”
✝️ Verse 6: The Apostle Paul gives all glory to God, and told the Philippian Church that, “God is the one who began this good work in you.”
Paul continues and says, I’m certain that Father God will continue working through you until Jesus returns to take us all to Heaven.
✳️ Are you saved⁉️
✳️ Are you working for Jesus and telling others about Him⁉️
✳️ Are you committed to living, and working, for Jesus until He returns and takes us all to Heaven⁉️
If so, I borrow from the Apostle Paul and pray the following prayer for you.
“I pray that your love will keep on growing and you will fully know and understand how to make the right choices. Then you will still be pure and innocent when Christ returns. And until that day, Jesus Christ will keep you busy doing good deeds that bring glory and praise to God.” — Philippians 1:9-11 (CEV)
Hang On! You’ve almost made it to the end of the week.
Our Bible verse, and devotion for today, comes to us from …
• Psalm 37:4 •
“Delight yourself in the Lord, [Do what the Lord wants you to do], and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (ESV)
You know, so often, when we pray, we’re busy asking the Lord for what we want, and what we think we need.
✝️ How long has it been since you prayed and didn’t ask Jesus for anything?
✝️ When was the last time that you prayed, “Lord, not my will, but your will be done in my life?
✝️ When was the last time you went into your prayer time, and didn’t say anything, and just listened for the Lord to speak to you?
We are not given points for the amount of words we pray, or the amount of needs we have. Father God is most impressed, not by the words we say, but simply that we’ve taken the time to be, or speak, with Him.
✝️ Delight yourself in the Lord. Ask the Lord what He wants out of your life. Take the time to simply sit in His presence. This is what gets you the desires of your heart.
You’ll be most blessed as you seek to do His will in your life.
“The LORD is good, A strength and stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows [He recognizes, cares for, and understands fully] those who take refuge and trust in Him.” (AMP)
The message that the Lord wants us to get out of this verse is …
✝️ The Lord is benevolent, loving and caring towards those who seek after Him as their protection in times of trouble, rather than relying on their themselves and their own ideas.
In 2 Samuel 22:31-36, the prophet explains how the Lord helps those who are faithful towards Him:
“As for God, His way is blameless and perfect; The word of the LORD is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge and trust in Him. (32)For who is God, besides the LORD? And who is a rock, besides our God? (33)God is my strong fortress; He sets the blameless in His way. (34)He makes my feet like the doe’s feet [firm and swift]; He sets me [secure and confident] on my high places. (35)He trains my hands for war, So that my arms can bend (pull back) a bow of bronze. (36)7You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your help and gentleness make me great.” (AMP)
‼️ Trust in the Lord, and He will always guide, direct and protect you in your times of trouble ‼️
My prayer for you today, is that you will feel the presence of the Lord with you, and that you’ll have many opportunities to share Jesus with others.
Our Bible verse and Devotion comes to us, today, from …
• Matthew 5:3 •
““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (ESV)
The Contemporary English Version explains the meaning of this verse a little more clearly.
“God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!” — Matthew 5:3 (CEV)
In Matthew’s account of the Beatitudes, Jesus explains that, “the poor in spirit,” means meekness, and not poverty stricken.
Here, Jesus is speaking about those who humbly trust God, even though their loyalty may cost them oppression and material disadvantages.
This “poor in spirit” person is the individual who is humble toward Father God, who have an unworldly attitude, and who places their trust only in Him.
The kingdom of heaven belongs to, and/or consists of the above kind of men and women. These kind of people are God’s people.
⁉️ Have you trusted Jesus to forgive you and save you from your sins❓
⁉️ Are you the, “poor in spirit❓”
⁉️ Are you trusting, and dependent, on Father God, and His Son Jesus, alone, to provide for you and meet all your needs❓
⁉️ Have you humbled yourself to the Lord, and are completely His, and His only❓
‼️ If so, then you are the ones who’s reward will be living eternally in the Kingdom of Heaven ‼️
I close with this verse from James 4:10.
“Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].” (AMP)
May we all be eligible for all the promises of Father God.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (ESV)
In addition to the Holy Spirit, a divine Counselor (v. 26), Jesus promised to leave us divine Peace, as well (v. 27).
✝️ The peace that Jesus has now given us is not like the peace the world gives us.
✝️ In the Old Testament, false prophets proclaimed peace when there was no peace (Jeremiah 6:13–14).
✝️ In New Testament times, Roman peace, was won and maintained by force.
✝️ When people say, ‘Peace be with you,’ or ‘Peace be to you,’ it is an expression of hope and goodwill.
✝️ However, when Jesus said He would give His peace to His disciples, much more was involved. He would be leaving them a peace of mind, and heart, in the midst of trials and persecutions; a peace they would experience with the coming of the Counsellor (Galatians 5:22).
It was on these grounds that Jesus could say, “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
✝️ Today, when we accept the grace of Jesus, and trust Him with our lives, He gives to each of us a genuine peace, that transcends anything, and everything, that previously would have caused us to fear, or fret (Philippians 4:7).
This morning’s scripture, and devotion, reminds me of the old church song called, “Peace, Peace Wonderful Peace.”
Stanza/Verse 2: What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace, Buried deep in the heart of my soul, So secure that no power can mine it away, While the years of eternity roll.
Stanza/Verse 3: I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace, Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control, For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day, And His glory is flooding my soul.
Chorus: Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace, coming down from the Father above. Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray, in fathomless billows of love.
Here is a devotion, I read this morning, that I thought was so good, I wanted to pass it on.
— Pastor Gene
“LIVING TO PLEASE GOD ALONE”
From: Today in the Word By: Brad Baurain
Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
Following Jesus should impact every area of our life. It changes the way we work and how we spend our money. It shapes the way we treat our neighbors and the way we address conflict in our own homes and marriages. But in this portion of Paul’s letter, he addresses a topic that may not always be talked about in the church: sexuality.
Here Paul speaks frankly and strongly against all forms of sexual immorality. He did so in part because sex played a large role in pagan religions in Thessalonica. But he also did so because sexual purity is an important part of holiness in general. As Paul did (1 Thess. 2:4), we should live to please God alone—and God is perfectly holy and righteous. The apostle had wanted to teach the Thessalonians more about the Christian life, and although he couldn’t do so in person, he could write this letter (vv. 1–2).
Human sexuality was a key area of temptation for the Thessalonians because sexual purity or faithfulness was not a prevailing moral standard in that culture. Unlike the pagans, Christian believers were to avoid all forms of sexual immorality (vv. 3–6). If they could not control their own bodies, they would be slaves to their “passionate lust” or desires. If they acted on these selfish and out-of-control desires, they would hurt others. That is to say, commit- ting sexual impurity might mean committing violence against a brother or sister in Christ.
God’s will for them, by contrast, was that they should be sanctified and live holy lives (vv. 3, 7). This included acting with self-control and honor in regard to their own bodies, and with holiness and love in regard to others. This aren’t merely human standards, but God’s commands (v. 8; see also 1 Cor. 6:18–20).
Sexuality can also be an area of challenge for today’s Christian. Compare today’s attitudes and problems with those facing the Thessalonians. How is it similar? What is different?
PRAY WITH US
“Much has changed since Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, but we still live in a sex-saturated culture. Lord, help us live according to your holy standards, regardless of what our society permits or promotes.”
I have a great Word for you today. It’s found in two different Bible verses.
• Proverbs 18:10 •
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].” (Amplified Translation)
• Proverbs 29:25 •
“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” (ESV)
✝️ Proverbs 18:10a: “The name of the LORD is a strong tower;”
• The Lord is your strength to power you through any situation you find yourself in.
✝️ Proverbs 18:10b: “The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].
• The righteous, those who have an ongoing relationship with Jesus, are not only safe, but are placed high above the enemy of their soul.
• When we’re established in Jesus, the evil one can’t get us unless we allow him to. We still can be tempted; however, Jesus gives us the strength to overcome our temptations, if we trust in Him. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
✝️ Proverbs 29:25b: “whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
• Those who trust in the Lord, or those who places their confidence in the Lord, will always be safe and secure.
Here are a few final words, from the Apostle Paul, from the book of Colossians.
• Colossians 4:2, 5-6 •
“Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful. (5)When you are with unbelievers, always make good use of the time. (6)Be pleasant and hold their interest when you speak the message. Choose your words carefully and be ready to give answers to anyone who asks questions.” (CEV)
✝️ Verse 2: Don’t ever stop Praying.
✝️ Verse 5: Always be a Witness to those who don’t believe in Jesus.
✝️ Verse 6: When Witnessing to unbelievers, be pleasant and interesting, using the right words, and always ready to answer their questions about Jesus.
⁉️ Are You Letting Your “Jesus” Light Shine On Others ⁉️
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. (15)Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. (16)In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
Today, our Bible verses, and devotion, comes to us out of
• Romans 10:9-10, 13 •
“So you will be saved, if you honestly say, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe with all your heart that God raised Him from death. (10)God will accept you and save you, if you truly believe this and tell it to others. (13)All who call out to the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” (CEV)
These 3 verses of scripture are very self explanatory. The main things you need to get from these verses are …
✝️ Father God raised Jesus from the dead, and Jesus is Lord of all. You must believe this with all of your heart.
✝️ God will accept you, and save you, if you believe in Him, and tell others that you believe in Him.
✝️ All those who believe, and call out to Jesus, will be saved, and blessed with abundant life on earth and eternal life in heaven.
If you haven’t done the above yet, would you do it right now? Follow the ABC’s below, and call on Jesus right now.
Our Bible passage and devotion is from Jude 24-25 this morning.
• Jude 24-25 •
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, (25)to the only [wise] God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” (ESV)
✝️ Jude 24: “Keep” — Here, the Greek word for, “Keep,” is phylassō. It means to “guard.” • We must watch that we stay close to the Lord, but only He can guard us so that we do not stumble. • When we do our part, that is stay in a right relationship with Jesus, then He will do His part and guard us from the evil one, keep us from falling away from Him and present us blameless before Father God.
✝️ Jude 25: “to the only [wise] God…” • In essence, Jude closes his book by saying, To God alone be the Glory! • There is but one God, and the KJV states, “to the only wise God…” • Not only is He a, “wise God,” but He is also our Savior. • An Old Testament Reference to Father God also being our Savior is Isaiah 45:15 — “Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.” • A New Testament Reference to Father God also being our Savior is Romans 16:27 — “To the only God, who alone is all-wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever! Amen.” (GNB) • Jude closes his book by offering the Lord an awesome praise. “be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
✝️ How does this relate to us today? Jude warns us to …
❗️Watch for false teachers. ❗️Keep a strong relationship with Jesus. ❗️Build your faith through prayer and reading God’s Word. ❗️Witness to the lost. ❗️Always offer praise to God!
May you stay close to Jesus and praise Him in all you do.
Pastor H. Gene Allen 