Devotional Thoughts

Philippians 3:13-14    "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,  (14)  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Everyone has a past with which we either applaud or wrestle. We can look back with regret or we can spend all our time looking back with pride. Either way of thinking back can be instructive or destructive. There was a man who came to Jesus one day with the desire to follow Him.  "And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  (62)  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:61-62) That doesn't seem like an unfair request but it is apparent that Jesus knew if the man returned to his house, the memories would prevent hi...

Philippians 3:10-12    "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  (12)  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." May I say this morning that it is easy to praise God when everything is going well in our lives. It is easy to sing "O How I Love Jesus" when the skies are blue and the sun is shining brightly upon us. But what about when we are in the valley of discouragement? How is it when life is not going so easy for us? Are we still as quick to praise Him and share the good news of our precious Lord when the weight of the world is heavy upon us? Paul was sharing his heart and mind with us in this book of Philippians.  He knew his purpose in Christ was to share the...

Philippians 3:9-11    "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:  (10)  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;  (11)  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead." If I may connect a couple thoughts, it might give some understanding concerning this.  Today's verses are a continuation of a thought. Paul had expressed a desire to "win Christ.. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness..."  He goes on to say, "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection." It seems to me that this is something that we all too often neglect in our everyday lives. The Holy Spirit, through Jesus Christ, has given us "the power of the resurrection" to be victorious in our lives. We do not have to give in to ...

Philippians 3:7-8   But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things  but  loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them  but  dung, that I may win Christ" What are things? That covers a lot of territory, doesn't it?  Defining the word, "things", requires that we trim down our list to those "things" that hold the most interest to us. In the first six verses, Paul defined his thoughts on that word. His definition was wrapped up in his pedigree. Until his Damascus Road experience, Paul's main concern was his position in life and in the Jewish traditions. What is my definition of the word? How would I define, or list, the things that I hold most dear.  I think it would come back to the statement in chapter 1. "To me, to live is __________." We all have our own definition that could be placed in tha...

Philippians 3:7-8    "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. (8)  Yea doubtless, and I count all things  but  loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them  but  dung, that I may win Christ" In sports, the win/loss record is very important. Coaches lose their jobs if they consistently lose more than they win. Starting players are benched if they do not perform well enough to contribute to the team's winning record. Even at the amateur level, wins are very important.  The win/loss record was also very important to the Apostle Paul. No, he wasn't on a baseball team or any other sports team, but he did use those types analogies.  In today's verses, you will see those two words used by him. But his use of the words was concerning his daily walk with Christ. If I draw attention to myself and my "victories", then I take away ...

Philippians 3:1    "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe." Repetition is the key to learning. Sometimes we repeat the same mistakes because we did not learn from them the first time. But on the positive side, repeating something helps instill it in our minds. Peter would say it in this manner, "Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth." (2 Peter 1:12)  Throughout the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, we see things repeated. That is not just to fill space; rather, it is for our learning.  For instance, it is very important that we understand "My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:2)  In this verse, David is reminding us that God is our help, but also the importance of understanding that the same God who is our help is also the ...

Philippians 2:14-16    "Do all things without murmurings and disputings:  (15)  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;  (16)  Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." "For to me to live is Christ... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus... God works in you to will and to do after His good pleasure...  Do all things without murmurings and disputings."  The children of Israel throughout their journey in the wilderness were known for several things.  They ate manna from heaven. They drank fresh water that flowed out of a rock. They saw Moses go into the top of the mountain where he communed with God for forty days. They made a calf from gold and said it was their god. They murmured and they complained.  All of the w...

Philippians 2:12-13    "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  (13)  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." It might be tempting to take these two verses out of context as we look at them.  But to avoid that, let's think back on where Paul is writing from and what he has been saying. Just a very quick review tells us that Paul expressed confidence in the power and purpose of the Lord in everything that happens in his life. He has confidence that the Lord will complete that which He begins. He spoke of living in the faith of the Gospel and using the mind of Christ as we go through this life. He encouraged humility with boldness in Christ by treating others  as you would want to be treated. He wrote concerning the life of Christ as a servant and the manner in which the Father exalted the Son. Th...

Philippians 2:9-11  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: (10)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of  things  in heaven, and  things  in earth, and  things  under the earth (11)  And  that  every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ  is  Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The world says, "Look out for number one because no one else will."  The natural mind (the Bible calls it the carnal mind) seeks self-gratification.  Let me go first. This is good for me. God says, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." We saw the mind of Christ yesterday.  He humbled Himself to be a servant to others.  What did that get Him?  Some might say, "Well, no one appreciated what He did and He wound up on the cross." That's the carnal mind's way of thinking.  But God gave Him a name which is above every na...

Philippians 2:5-8    "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  (6)  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:  (7)  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  (8)  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." "Let this mind be in you."  This indicates to me that there is an exercise of faith and commitment that must be practiced in order to achieve the objective of having a servant's heart.  Our minds are  precious commodities in which we must guard against the things that enter them. The old adage certainly applies, "Trash in - trash out".  But the reverse of that is also true - "Good things in - Good things out".  Paul is exhorting us to  use the "mind of Christ" which has been given to us. See 1 Corinthians 2:16. Christ...

Philippians 2:1-3    "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,  (2)  Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  (3)  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." Paul had just written concerning "striving for the faith of the Gospel," by which he intended for the Philippians (and you and me) to pattern our lives according to the very Word of God. For the rest of this beautiful book of Philippians, Paul is going to instruct us as to how we are to exhibit our belief in the Word of God (striving for the faith of the Gospel). In this second chapter, we see Paul beginning from the inside as to how we are to accomplish our goal. It begins in our hearts and minds. If I do not have a heart for other people, then our faith will be difficult to e...

Philippians 1:27-28    "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;  (28)  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." When Paul wrote, Strive together "for the faith of the gospel," he was writing from a heart that is settled upon "the faith of the gospel."  Do I have "the faith of the gospel"? Do you have the faith of the gospel? What does that mean?  I say that I believe the Word of God and it gives me peace and comfort, but do my actions agree with my words?  Do I strive to live according to the faith of the Gospel? Paul would write to the Thessalonians, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God wh...

Philippians 1:25-26    "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;  (26)  That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again." Sitting in prison, Paul was contemplating the reality that he could possibly be put to death. It seems he was reconciling in his mind that he would have been immediately transported into the presence of the Lord if he had been executed. His relationship with Jesus Christ was such that he knew that would be the best thing for him. He would not have to suffer in the flesh anymore if he was taken home to heaven; but, he also realized that Christ had begun a good work through him. In verse 22, he admitted, "... I am in a strait betwixt two..."   But his ultimate desire was not placed upon the thought that he preferred; rather, the promise that had been given him. He said in our text, "having this confidence..."  What was...

Philippians 1:21-22   "For to me to live  is  Christ, and to die  is  gain. (22) But if I live in the flesh, this  is  the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not." "For to me to live is ________" Fill in the blank. What is life to me? What do I want, or need, in life in order for it to be complete?  For some, the blank might be filled in with position, power, riches, or success in some area of life. James had the same thought in mind when he asked, "Whereas ye know not what  shall be  on the morrow. For WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  For that ye  ought  to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."  (James 4:14-15) Seeking the will of God is the proper manner in which to answer the fill-in-the-blank in the first paragraph. Life is too short to try to find all the answers of life on our own. Paul...

Philippians 1:18-20    "What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (19)  For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, (20)  According to my earnest expectation and  my  hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but  that  with all boldness, as always,  so  now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether  it be  by life, or by death." Paul had just said Jesus is declared and he was set for the defence of the Gospel. That is to say, he was ready to speak and give an answer for the hope that was in him. Peter spoke of this same defence in his letter to those people who had been scattered because of persecution.  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and  be  ready always to  give  an answer to every man that asketh y...

Philippians 1:14-18    "And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.  (15)  Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:  (16)  The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  (17)  But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  (18)  What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. " (John 1:1, 14)  When Jesus walked upon this earth, people had many thoughts concerning Him. Some thought Jesus was some sort of magician and w...

Philippians 1:12-14    "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  (13)  So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;  (14)  And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." Do you ever wonder why things happen in your life? I think we probably wonder about that more when bad things happen; more so, than when we are in the good times of our lives.  As we read this book of Philippians, again understanding that Paul is in prison, he doesn't ask "why" this has happened to him.  In verse 12, he tells us why this happened to him: "the things which happened unto me have fallen out ... unto the furtherance of the gospel."  Can you imagine? Paul is saying, "I am in this prison cell so I can preach the Gospel to people that I would have otherwis...

Philippians 1:9-11    "And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;  (10)  That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;  (11)  Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." Let's keep in mind that Paul is in prison as he was writing this letter. The reason for his being in prison was due to his preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  People's lives were being turned upside down in one way or another. There were some whose lives were turned upside down because the Gospel went against their traditions of worship. They were steeped in the law and did not like that their ideas and ways of worship were being changed. There were others who worshipped idols and their livelihood was being affected by this Gospel that Paul was zealous in preaching. Thankfully, there were those who ...

Philippians 1:6    "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Throughout this book, it is important to remember that Paul was in prison as he wrote this letter. Things may not have been as he had expected concerning places he had been and people he had preached to.  Did he expect to wind up in prison? I don't know.  Here are the words of Jesus concerning Paul:  "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." (Acts 9:16)  Maybe he did know what was ahead for him, maybe he didn't. There were people in Paul's life who did things to cause him to lose confidence in them. He admitted that he had had to confront the Apostle Peter. He was disappointed in Mark and sent him with someone else. But his confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ was one thing that never left him. There are many situations in life that can catch us off guard. There are many th...

Philippians 1:3-5    "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  (4)  Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,  (5)  For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" It is interesting that Paul begins and ends this letter with the words, "My God".  "I thank my God..... My God shall supply."  We will see in this book that Paul speaks of his former self and his current position in Christ.  We all can think of our former selves and our current self in Christ.  Without trying to incorporate the entire book in one devotion, we all have things in life that we would like to leave behind as we press toward the mark.  The difference between former and present is found in God, and only in Him. Paul speaks of God as he expresses gratitude for the saints at Philippi.  There is a special bond between them. It was at Philippi that the Holy Spirit directed Paul to go. It was at Philippi where Pa...

Philippians 1:1-2    "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  (2)  Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." As we begin our study of Philippians, it seems very important to use a very basic teaching that was taught to us as children: Stop, Look, and Listen.  I don't hear those words very often anymore, but we were taught this rule as the proper approach to a railroad crossing.  It was very advantageous for us to heed that warning. I think it is important also as we begin a study of Paul's writing. So we stop, look, and listen to the Apostle Paul as he begins this letter. He identified himself by name: Paul. Then he identified himself by his office: "servant of Jesus Christ." And now we listen to see what is going to be approaching as we begin this study: "Grace and peace." Paul, the servant of Christ, is going...

Psalm 150:1-6    "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  (2)  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.  (3)  Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.  (4)  Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.  (5)  Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.  (6)  Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD." In this 150th, and final, Psalm, we see the word, "praise" listed 13 times, if I counted correctly. Let me try to make a distinction between worship and praise.  Although praise consists of worship, it seems to me that there are times when I silently worship God in my spirit. Praise consists of making a sound that expresses worship, honor, glory, and thanksgiving unto the Lord.  We are instr...