Daily Word

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. Philippians 4:4-5. The command to rejoice can always be obeyed, even in the midst of conflict, adversity, and deprivation, because joy rests “in the Lord”, not in favorable circumstances. Reasonableness denotes a generous spirit that rises above offences, or a forbearing spirit, of which Jesus provides the perfect example. Such a person does not insist on his rights, and only such persons learn the secret of joy. Today is a great day to learn the secret of joy regardless of what circumstance may come your way!

weekend Quote

There are only two choices. If our lives are characterized by sin, then we are sin’s slaves. If we are characterized by obedience, then we are slaves to righteousness. Either way we are not our own masters. ~ John MacArthur

Weekend Quote

God is over all things, under all things, outside all, within, but not enclosed; without, but not excluded; above, but not raised up; below, but not depressed; wholly above, presiding; wholly without, embracing; wholly within, filling. ~ Hildebert of Lavardin

Weekend Quote

I have no home, until I am in the realized presence of God. This holy presence is my inward home, and, until I experience it, I am a homeless wanderer; a straying sheep is a waste howling wilderness. ~ Anonymous (1841)

For many, of whom I have often told you and tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. Philippians 3:19-20. Paul weeps, not because he fears someone can undo what Christ has done, but because of the destruction in store for opponents of the gospel. This destiny completes the destructive process initiated by their own sin. What is your mind set on today?

Daily Word

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:17. Paul’s example is the opposite of what follows verses 18 &19. Paul is faithful to the cross, Christ is his glory, and his mind is set on heavenly things. Is there anyone in your core of influence that you recognize as faithful to the cross, whom Christ is their glory, and their minds are set on the heavenly things? Perhaps today is a good day to step back and look at whom it is that you tend to follow...

Daily Word

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14. Paul’s objective is salvation in all its fullness. It is because “Christ Jesus has made Paul His own” that he presses forward toward the goal of life in glory. Often times what lies behind becomes the anchor in our lives that prevents us from pressing forward. What is the anchor in your past that needs to be forgotten? Be reminded that just like Paul Christ Jesus has made YOU His own!

Daily Word

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Philippians 3:12. Since the prize of salvation in its fullest has not yet been won, perfection of any kind is impossible and attempts at it should be avoided. The saving process that will be consummated on the day of Christ and the resurrection from the dead has already begun. Obedience to His word is the key to “making your own”. How will you “press on” today?

Daily Word

That I may know Him and the power of his resurrection, and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11. Paul’s most passionate longing is greater than a mental awareness, but of a deeper personal union with Christ. It is through participation in the sufferings of Christ that the power of Christ’s resurrection is manifested in the life of a Christian. Today, whatever it is you are going through be reminded that your perseverance depends on the will and the work of a Sovereign God.

Weekend Quote

Idolatry is not only the adoration of images…but also trust in one’s own righteousness, works and merits, and putting confidence in riches and power. ~ Martin Luther

Weekend Quote

No one wants to die on the cross – until he comes to the place where he is desperate for the highest will of God in serving Jesus Christ. ~ A. W. Tozer

Daily Word

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on Faith. Philippians 3:9. Paul now recognizes that salvation is based not upon human attainments of obedience to the law, but entirely and exclusively upon “the righteousness of God”, given to those united with Christ. The ground of salvation is the merit of Christ. Faith as the instrument does not provide value of its own but links us to Christ and His merit.

Daily Word

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, Philippians 3: 7-8. Paul freely discards all sources of self-confidence and personal profit for Christ here. The Greek word is more graphic; it means “refuse” and was once translated as “dung”. Paul flings away in disgust whatever interferes with “the surpassing knowing of Christ.” How different would your relationship with Christ be today if you were to thoroughly take account and rid yourself of all the unnecessary interference in “knowing Christ” more deeply?

Daily Word

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14-15. The Philippians may have been guilty of grumbling against church leaders, as the Israelites did against Moses. Paul describes the quality of life required for “children of God”. To “shine as lights in the world”, in contrast to being crooked and twisted, yet offering up hope. In what area of your life do you find the most to grumble and question about? Perhaps today is the day to stop and shine instead?

Daily Word

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13. Regeneration is birth, sanctification is growth. ‘Sanctify” means to set apart to God, for His use. To work out your own salvation is recognizing that God is at work in the arena of your will and actions. Fear and trembling is simply awe and reverence rather than panic and alarm. How often do you really set yourself apart to God, walking in His Obedience in an effort of working out your own salvation?

Daily Word

Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11. Christ’s humility is His glory. Paul means that the utterance of the name “Jesus” is the signal that “every knee should bow” to offer Him worship and acclaim Him Lord. When was the last time you got a little weak in the knee’s upon hearing the name of Jesus, or has it just become way to common for you?

Weekend Quote 4.15.12

It easy to learn the doctrine of personal revival and victorious living; it is quite another thing to take our cross and plod on to the dark and bitter hill of self-renunciation. ~ A.W. Tozer

Weekend Quote

Every advance that we make for God and His cause must be made at our inconvenience. If it does not inconvenience us at all, there is no cross in it! If we have been able to reduce spirituality to a smooth pattern and it costs us nothing -no disturbance - no bother and no element of sacrifice in it - we are getting anywhere with God. ~ A.W. Tozer

Daily Word

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7. Christ is truly human. He had to be completely human. At the same time, Paul makes a distinction between Christ and the other human beings. Unlike them, He has no sin. And regarding His divine nature He remains transcendent over created reality; He cannot cease to be a heavenly being even in His humiliation. It is a mindset of humbleness and servant hood we are to hold among ourselves. How does that apply in your daily walk with those around you?

Daily Word

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4. Our pride makes us competitive by nature and tries to lift us above others, so promoting conflicts rather than harmony. By contrast, humility accepts a place of service, with concerns for the needs and interests of others. Love is essential for humility. While Christ is our supreme example of humility; He is first Lord and Savior. What changes will you make to walk in humility starting today…and continued every day?

Daily Word

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 2 Philippians 2:1-2. To follow Christ’s example, we must first be in Christ. In our union with the savior we find encouragement to pursue unity with each other. How does unity apply in your life; are you of “the same” more towards the world or Christ?

Daily Word

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, Philippians 1:27. Paul not only appeals to the unity among believers; but he urges them not to break under the pressure of opposition; to excerpt pressure of their own by proclaiming the gospel they believe in and living worthy of it. What does it mean to you to live “worthy of the gospel”, and how often do you stand firm in your beliefs?

Daily Word

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which shall I choose I cannot tell. Philippians 1:21-22. Christ is Paul’s reason for being. Paul recognizes that death will not sever his union with Christ; rather it will bring him into a deeper experience of that union. What does it mean to “live as Christ” to you? How different would your daily walk be and would it impact those around you?

Weekend Quote from 4.8.12

It takes real faith to begin to live the life of heaven while still upon the earth; for this requires that we rise above the law of moral gravitation and bring to our everyday living the high wisdom of God. And since wisdom is contrary to that of the world, conflict is bound to result. This, however, is a small price to pay for the inestimable privilege of following Christ. ~ A.W. Tozer

Weekend Quote

In coming to Christ we do not bring our old life up into a higher plane; we leave it at the cross. The corn of wheat must fall into the ground and die. ~ A. W. Tozer

Daily Word

For I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, weather by life or by death. Philippians 1:19-20. Paul expects to be released from prison, but cannot be certain of it. God will deliver him through His appointed agencies, both human and divine. Paul’s passion is neither to live nor to die, but to see Christ magnified whatever happens. How would the circumstances change in your life if you took the same approach, and mind set as Paul?

Daily Word

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1:14. While we are not imprisoned physically like Paul; each of us are equally strengthened and encouraged by the Lord to proclaim the gospel fearlessly. If even a quarter of all those whom filled the churches throughout midweek services and on Sunday mornings lived a lifestyle so public in their beliefs in Christ, and the promises given in His word. How much more could we impact our world? What is lacking in your confidence that prevents you from speaking His word without fear?

Daily Word

I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. Philippians 1:12. The Word is clear that each of us will face tests and trials throughout our life time. While each serves its own purpose building faith, character etc. We more often than not become so focused on ourselves that we fail to recognize the opportunity that lies within to advance the gospel. When the circumstances of life attempt to imprison you today will you advance or hinder the gospel?

Daily Word

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-10. The absence of love shows that supposed knowledge is worthless, and love is itself knowledge of the deepest kind. As this is my prayer for you today…Pray this also for others in your life…

Weekend Quote

To try to find a common ground between the message of the cross and man’s fallen reason is to try the impossible, and if persisted in must result in an impaired reason, a meaningless cross and a powerless Christianity. ~ A. W. Tozer