JOY
Today’s Reading: Philippians 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Paul’s letter among the ruins of ancient Philippi.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Philippians 1:3-4
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy…
In Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, he was under house arrest. The Romans had a practical financial plan. Prisoners who had resources payed for their own imprisonment costs. The initial purpose of this letter is to thank the congregation in Philippi for their financial support.
This was the first church Paul planted in Europe. Philippi was a Roman military city where Paul had experienced a severe beating and imprisonment. The warden of the prison and his family would’ve been there at church when this letter was read. The members no doubt expected “JOY.” After all, Paul, and his co-worker, Silas, had been singing praises to God (probably a Psalm of David) at midnight, their feet and hands securely fastened, when an earthquake hit the city and the shaking set them free. Read Acts 16:9-40.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, grant me the grace to exude joy in the midst of circumstances that would not naturally produce joy. Thank You for those You have allowed to bless my life. I pray that I will consistently pass on the blessing! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
When I opened my Bible to read Philippians, I found my notes from the message I brought at the home-going celebration of Leah Johnson. This special person in my life showed joy in very difficult circumstances. A mother of five, she still had time for me. I was 16 years old and still needed a mother figure. Her third son, Wallace, a classmate of mine, brought me home with him again and again. Leah, a single mom, welcomed me with love and joy. My own mother had died when I was 12, and my father had returned to Egypt where his services were required as a missionary. I can see in my mind’s eye her loving face, complete with the warmest smile I could imagine. I do thank God upon every remembrance of Leah and her family.
I’m taking the liberty of more than 100 personal words today. When the television opportunity presented itself in 1962, I had no idea how I would pay the bills. While I had the blessing of the congregation of which I was Pastor, there was no way that a television ministry could be funded out of the general fund of the church. I believe God speaks to me from the pages of Holy Scripture. Here in Philippians chapter one I found what I believe was, and still is, God’s answer to my prayer for the money to fulfill my vision to use television to communicate the Good News of Jesus. The Amplified Bible, which brings out all the shades of meaning present in the original text, is the translation that particularly spoke to me. Here are the words in which I found the answer of God to the challenge: Philippians 1:3-5 in the Amplified Bible says…
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty and petition for you all with joy (delight). [I thank my God] for your fellowship (your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news (the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.
This is exactly what has been happening. Check out the Crossroads Ministry at www.crossroads.ca. I resonate with the same joy expressed by Paul throughout his letter to the people of Philippi.
Yours for a joy-filled life based on the love and provision of God!
David
P.S. Apparantley there was a problem for some with the link I gave in yesterday’s blog to the interview with Pastor John Kilpatrick whose church experienced a great revival. If you still want to see it, try clicking HERE.
A modern gate prohibits visitors from walking into an ancient prison in Philippi, likely where Paul and Silas were held and miraculously delivered.
The spectacular Theatre of Ancient Philippi.
Wonderful start David, to a beautiful book of the bible-Philippians- “HE” is my GOD WHO supplies ALL of my needs! (Phil.4:19) One of the many verses I committed to memory in 1975 or shortly after I and my sweetheart gave our hearts to the LORD JESUS in a little country church in Grassie Gospel church. I can remember Pastor Sam Learning teaching on the book of Philippians and such beautiful words from the very throne room of God “burned” deep into our souls and spirit as Blessed Holy Spirit spoke wonderful truths to this unregenerate Roman Catholic sinner who rarely darkened the doorsteps of any church, however on this particular Sunday on a cold, cold day in January, my sweetheart and myself found ourselves in a bible believing church responding to a gospel message from the book of Philippians. Shortlt afterwards, we were blessed to attend Circle square ranch in Arden Ont. where we met you David Mainse and several staff persons from 100 Huntley street. It was there that our 2 sons made a public confession of their faith in JESUS Christ. Such precious memories.
Wonderful testimonies. Thank God for those special people in our lives in the past and today!!! God moved on my behalf yesterday answering prayer. Had the privilege of seeing Philippi twice. Praise God!
Praise God if we are imprisoned may we sing the praises of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Great interview by Lorna Dueck and what a dedicated man who continues his faith and teachings in adversity many of us would shy away from.
Philippians is such a lovely study.
Thanks Rev. M. for your persistence in this study. Printing everything out so my grandson will be able to enjoy it when he’s old or mature enough.
Blessings fellow saints.
I’m excited as we go into Philipians…what an uplifting passage!
Thank you Pastor David for your faithfulness in sharing your time and wisdom with us!
Thankyou David for that wonderful daily blog , for good and interesting instruction. As well for example of an obedient prayerful life, and the care for your blog readers. On top of the list for glorifying God in many ways.
I am asking to be resuscribed to your daily blog at the above email address.
Thanks.
woul
God lives in the praises of His people. Psalm 22: 3 Good to keep in mind. Thanks all.
I had to chuckle..prisoners who had resources paid their own prison costs.. good idea
please pray the Lord will grant me energy to get things done, it takes me a week to do what I could do in a day, also, pray that I met up with a young person whom I met the other night and maybe he would be able to give me a hand and make some spending money,
also,
please pray the Lord will grant me a financial breakthrough! thank you and I am happpy to be in the New Testament.
blessings to everyone
Amen Ger!! What was your answer?
God Bless you, Kathie! 🙂
Amen! I love today’s message, prayer, and Paul–my favourite saint of the Bible! May everyone be richly blessed today, as we live for Christ and Christ alone. Amen!
For some reason I havn’t received your Blog the last few days so I signed up again. Hope I don’t get it twice now maybe I accidentially unsubscribed miss it.
Hello, Kathie, I trust to be helping to teach the Word at the mid-week Bible Study at our church. I will let you know when it happens. God bless you.
I’ll be away until the 22nd of July…not sure whether I’ll be able to connect there, if not I’ll do catch-up when I come back
God bless you all
Yesterday’s show had guys with paint on there faces singing a awesome song I had the song written down but misplaced it …. Mercy ??? Does anyone know
mercy me flawless