The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:20-26 (day three)

“To live is Christ.”

To comprehend, help, create, build, dream, celebrate, give, remember, participate, laugh, gather, hope, work – in short, to live – is possible because of the universe’s originating and animating presence, which is Christ. It is true of all persons, from the staunchest skeptic of God’s existence to the tiniest trusting child: Christ is behind all the living and moving and having being. The very act of disbelieving is possible because Christ has made it possible. And the act of asking, “What must I do to be saved?” is possible because Christ has made human beings with the capacity to see and yearn and wonder. Paul eventually learned that the one who enabled Stephen to die with such confidence is the one who enabled him (Paul) to live with such grace. So it is for us all.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:20-26 (day two)

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, vs. 25

Over the past six months I have invoked Revelation 22:20 – Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Perhaps you have too. Why are we experiencing so much turmoil, anger, fear, suffering, and doubt? Wouldn’t it just be better if God just called us all home right now? The Apostle Paul would say yes, and no. There is no doubt to be with Jesus is the ultimate completion of all things, and it is right to long to be there. If, however, he has chosen to tarry then it does not do well to sit around and mope. Paul says that we are to be about progress and joy in the faith. Therefore when Jesus does come back he will find us ready (Matthew 24:36-25:13).

Stay vigilant, dear friends, and with whatever time God grants us let us endeavor to work out our calling with joy.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day seven)

“Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” vs 18

The thing that was most important to Paul is that the Christ is being proclaimed. Paul doesn’t care that he is imprisoned. He doesn’t care that others are trying to compete with him. He doesn’t care about the things that could hold him back, because nothing is holding God back. Christ is being proclaimed. That is worth rejoicing.

What does this teach us?

1. Trust God. Even when the plans we made don’t work out, God has a plan. Lean into this plan and watch God work.
2. Proclaim Christ. When our plans don’t work out, lean into God’s plan by making the Gospel known.
3. Rejoice in the Lord. God’s plan is at work no matter what. Find joy in watching the Gospel progress.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day six)

What I appreciate most about Paul is that his theology is not theory. His theology is not pie in the sky, with all talk and no action. No, Paul practiced what he preached. When in prison he wrote, “Don’t worry about me, God is really using my imprisonment.” When jealous preachers tried to make things worse for him he wrote, “I still rejoice, because at least they are telling people about Jesus, even if they do have the wrong motives.”

So, when you go back and read things like Romans 8:28 (NLT),

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

you believe Paul, because it was his life. He lived what he wrote. Now, we might be tempted to marvel at Paul’s grit and endurance, but what shines brightest is not Paul’s character, but the object of his affection-Jesus.

Paul’s life and words only make sense because of Jesus.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day five)

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel,”  Paul begins this section of his letter by declaring “gospel progress” is being made by his imprisonment. What does he mean by this term?

Gospel progress shifts attitudes and perspectives in the hearts and thoughts of believers from hopelessness and despair to joy and assurance (vs 18-19).
Gospel progress brings about courage and faithfulness in the actions and priorities of believers to boldly witness. (vs 14).

Gospel progress brings influence, awareness, and understanding of the message of Christ to non-believers (vs 13).

Are you experiencing gospel progress (joy, assurance)?  Are those believers close to you experiencing gospel progress (courage, faithfulness)?
Are non-believers who are around you and who interact with you experiencing gospel progress (hearing and seeing the message of Christ)?

May gospel progress come to and through the Body of Christ at FBCSA!!

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day four)

Paul would never fit into our present day ‘cancel culture’.  Rather than rejecting the ones who were preaching Christ with the wrong motives (i.e. – out of envy, selfish ambition, or impure motives), Paul trusted in the Holy Spirit to take the name of Christ and use it for the spread of the Gospel.  What seems to be obvious to our human reason or logic can completely change when the Holy Spirit enters the picture.  Joseph recognized this truth when his brothers sold him into slavery.  “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.”  Joseph recognized that God can use any circumstance for His Glory!

Today, we are often very hard on TV preachers, celebrities, politicians or social media influencers who may use the name of Christ but do not believe or live exactly as we do.  We need Paul’s perspective so we can rejoice that Christ is proclaimed…our prayers and Christ’s Spirit can use all circumstances for God’s Glory and His purpose.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day three)

“What then?”

Paul’s question is often your own when difficulties appear. You might not ask it in the same way. Perhaps you say, “What am I supposed to do now?” Or the question might arise in your mind as more of a statement: “Everything is falling apart.” It’s easy then to envision a range of very unpleasant outcomes. Not Paul. Faced with horrific suffering, he says, “Anything’s possible from here.” Paul was ordinary. He suffered, wept, worked, and felt the sting of injustice. But he had learned from Jesus that we don’t live in a deterministic universe. He had learned from Jesus how to expand his understanding of what is possible. That’s how joy took root in his life.

Re:Verse passage – Philippians 1:12-19 (day two) 

Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, vs. 18

In reading this text again I was reminded how often I allow circumstances to determine my value, my effectiveness, and my outlook. I would venture to say that I am not alone in this. I would like to believe that in whatever situation I can find a way to rise above the circumstances, but I am often deterred by current climate, poor resources, lack of motivation, or a myriad of other reasons why my particular task can’t be accomplished to the degree I had hoped. I need to hang out with Paul more. In that case I will likely find myself in more dire situations that I have ever imagined, but I will also come to understand that it is Jesus who had defined my worth, not my circumstance. This shift in focus in attitude is essential for each of us. Paul isn’t grousing, he’s witnessing. He’s not complaining about things not being fair, he’s looking for ways to share the gospel. Let’s be like Paul.