Focus
Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.
Read
Philippians 1:12-18
12 I want you to know, beloved, that what has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that my imprisonment is for Christ; 14 and most of the brothers and sisters, having been made confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.
15 Some proclaim Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill. 16 These proclaim Christ out of love, knowing that I have been put here for the defense of the gospel; 17 the others proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but intending to increase my suffering in my imprisonment. 18 What does it matter? Just this, that Christ is proclaimed in every way, whether out of false motives or true; and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice
Reflect
A much-needed lesson for us in this epistle is that we can actually have joy in this world today despite what it feels like on Facebook, the news, or in our politically turbulent times. Paul was imprisoned, yet he had reasons to be joyful. He was still contributing to the work of God, but more than that, he had friends who were praying for him, visiting him, and sustaining him.
When I am feeling down and frustrated, I take the advice from a hymn I learned a long time ago, “Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your blessings, see what God hath done. Count your blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.” When I practice that advice, I come to the same conclusion as Paul, “Yes, and I will continue to rejoice.”
Pray
God, let us rejoice in the time we have on this earth. Remind us that behind all that we see, taste, touch, hear, or smell is you and your good plan working out unimaginable joy. Amen
Go with God!
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