“EVEN MORE JOY”
Today’s Reading: Philippians 3
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A majestic arch marked the main entrance to the Amphitheatre in ancient Philippi. The city was established by Philip II of Macedon in 356 BC and abandoned in the 14th century.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Philippians 3:10
“That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death…”
Paul (formerly known as Saul – read Acts 9:1-22) is a prisoner in Rome. What a man! He writes this letter in which he uses the words “Joy,” “Rejoice,” “Rejoicing,” “Glad,” “Gladness,” etc. 11 times. We should feel more joyful already. Paul’s incarceration did not inhibit his vision for his future! He states his goals: (1) “That I may gain Christ.” (2) “That I may know Him.” (3) “That I may know the power of His resurrection.” (4) “That I may know the fellowship of His sufferings.” (5) “That I may be conformed to His death.” (6) “That I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (7) “I press on!” (8) “I forget those things that are behind.” (9) I reach “forward to those things which are ahead.” (10) “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus!!!” Anyone who is forward-looking, like Paul, will experience “JOY” also.
Paul’s warnings at the beginning of today’s reading come from his own background. He had been the chief legalist, and he had boasted for years of his standing in the Jewish denomination known as the Pharisees. Now he quickly makes it clear that none of these religious accomplishments are worth anything, in his opinion, in comparison to his relationship with Jesus! Let us be constantly conscious of the fact that we who believe IN Jesus (not just about Him) are not into a religion (outward observances) but are in a personal relationship with Him.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are closer to me than the breath of my lungs. You are my Friend, my constant Companion, closer than anyone else could ever be. I pray all those goals listed above by one of my fellow believers in You, Paul. “This one thing I do!” Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I think that over the years I’ve received hundreds of letters, phone calls, e-mails, and personal encounters where someone is suffering from depression. Of course, I always suggest professional help for severe cases, but without exception I have said something like this, “If I were your physician and gave you a prescription, would you have it filled, and would you faithfully take it?” “Yes,” they would answer. “Well, here it is” I would write or say. “It will take you 5 minutes each day. Read the book of Philippians once every day for 30 days. This letter of Joy will rearrange your thinking and you will begin to rejoice.” For those who have taken my prescription, no one has ever told me that it failed to do the job!
Yours for giving this reading a fair shot at bringing new “JOY” into our lives,
David
P.S. If you missed the first two blogs from Philippians, I strongly encourage you to go back to the two previous days and partake of this four-course spiritual meal. Tomorrow will be the dessert!
This was the marketplace of ancient Philippi.
Even those who don’t speak Greek can likely decipher the words on the second line of this inscription found among the ruins of Philippi…”Province of Macedonia” and “Philippi.”
Eating up the Word, every morsel and bite, and rejoicing in the Spirit of joy! Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, we press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Blessings fellow saints, amen!
With All I Am, Hillsong
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0AyxEMFRbI
Holy Spirit, help me to absorb every morsel of this, “delicious meal.”
As I read over and over these three chapters, I am reminded of our obligation as believers, as Paul says,”that whatever we do should be for the gain of Christ Jesus”.
I pray,and by the prayers of other believers, that we will
press on to win the prize of the goal,”heavenward”.
Thank you, Pastor Manes, for your blessing and encouragements, each and every day. God bless you!
Amen and amen, Beverlee and Denise I am full to overflowing after such a great meal. Thank you Pastor David and many blessings to you and everyone who reads this blog. Eleanor M.
I PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY NEW HEIGHTS I”M GAINGING EVERY DAY.
sorry I meant gaining.
Amen to all that has been said today! Thank you, thank you. Was reading this book to a friend last night who was depressed as unable to drive anymore.
AMEN!!! read the book of Philippians, every day……also read the Proverbs, one chapter a day for every month……
Am loving your blog and remembering the trip I took with you to Israel, what a country…..now I wanna go back…..
Bless Us O Lord
For These Thy Gifts
Which We Are About To Receive
From Thy Bounty
Through Christ Our Lord
Amen.
Amen
Am shaken tonight as I just read the obituary of a lady three years younger than me whom I stood beside on Wednesday in the pool. She died suddenly yesterday although she looked strong and healthy. I am sorry we never conversed although I thought I knew who she was.
Ger your friend was fortunate that she had you as a friend even though you may not have talked, you stood beside her, God planned that moment!
I’m so sorry Ger! Do you think it was cancer? My mother looked strong and healthy right up to the day she passed. Or maybe that’s just what she was showing us. She was all about US!
Thank you for your response Sah and Kathie. They say it was her heart as she was short of breath and also diabetes which was recent. I never really got to know her but you’re right Sah, I believe the Lord planned that moment and I trust her thoughts turned heavenward.
I did miss them, and have done exactly as you suggest in this blog…these chapters are most uplifting and encouraging.
Thank you for these pictures…and your uplifting prayer!!