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 paid 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. I resonate with the same joy expressed by Paul throughout his letter to the people of Philippi. Check out the Crossroads Ministry at www.crossroads.ca.
Yours for a joy-filled life based on the love and provision of God!
David
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.
Oh thank you so much friends for your prayers. I was able to eat yesterday & am feeding well this morning. My medication was changed & I feel a bit more stable. The extreme heat expected this week is a bit threatening. I would usually not go out in it but I have 2 appointments with specialists & 1 is @ 4 pm on Thursday so the drive back home in heavy traffic is bad. I will try to change that appt with cardiologist. I know he is very busy in Burlington & he gave me that time. I will try. Thank you so much. God is GOOD. (& so are you).
God bless you,Doreen.
Manna
May fear vanish before your face
As His joy goes before your feet
And may your words show His grace
To those whom you should meet,
For you are that child of God
And in you is the One they need;
So fear no journey as you trod
For you have manna with which to feed.
G.W.Marshall/ 23 March, 2019
Thank you William!
Doreen…May God be with you and endow the doctors with wisdom. I look forward to hearing briefly of today’s results and I shall continue to pray for you and your healing.
Dr changed my appointment to earlier in the day Thursday. Praise God.
Continuing prayer for Ann.
Só glad you’re feeling a bit better, Doreen.
Praying that your appointments this week will go well (including the drive to and from)
God bless you!
Amen…I expect Anne has thousands,if not millions,praying for her.
Ron has a very heavy load to carry so he needs our prayers too.Blessings
Praise God your are feeling better Doreen, will continue to pray for you and dear Ann.
Blessings to all, Eleanor M.
When I was a baby Christian and doubting my faith,Pst.John Fortier would always encourage me with Philippians 1:6 (“…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”).I have since come to know that “He” is always working in us once we have surrendered sincerely to Him….even though we may not feel that “good work” taking place,for He is “gentle”.God bless
(I just chuckled for I have 12 files to search for poems and none of them can I recite and so many I don’t recall.My point being:I just happened to click file 7 and scrolled down and started reading this one That’s when I chuckled at the words from the above mentioned scripture.Praise God !)
When I Surrender
When I surrender to you,
The temple is yours to clean
And now I’m yours in all you do
To show me what I’ve never seen.
We grow up in Satan’s realm
Where his darkness hides our path
But when we give to You the helm,
You clean out all the hate and wrath.
It’s your blood that took our sin,
In an act of Godly love,
Which began a ‘good work’ within
To finish in heaven above.
GW(Bill) Marshall/07 June,2015
So glad to hear you are feeling better today, Doreen. Is there someone who could drive you to your appointment on Thursday? That has nice cool a/c in their car. I said a prayer for you already this morning. God is so good.
Am praying for Ann as well. She and Ron certainly do have a lot on their plate. They are so blessed to have wonderful family to help them out.
Bill, I enjoyed your poem, When I surrender.
Blessings to all blog readers today.
My prayers are with you both Doreen and Ann. Just trust in the Lord he will take you through these days of darkness.