Philippians – The Happiness Letter

“Do you know her?” one woman says to another. “Yes, I do! She’s the real thing!” replies the other. This is probably followed by the good deeds that person as done or is doing for others. What a way to be known? Right?

Do we “rejoice and be glad” for the accomplishments in God’s work done by others? Paul was. As mighty and miraculous, dedicated and passionate as Paul was, he rejoiced in what God was doing in the lives of those he knew. I love that. THAT is just one of the things that causes him to rejoice. It is what I notice this morning and rejoice with him for those I know in my life who are following God and being obedient to what He asks of them to be and do. Smiling even now, as I think of them, and I am thanking God that they did not “grow weary and give up in doing good”.

Philippians 2, The Message
17-18 Even if I am executed here and now, I’ll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ’s altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout’s fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don’t feel sorry for me.

19-24 I plan (according to Jesus’ plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy’s the real thing. He’s been a devoted son to me as together we’ve delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I’m hoping and praying to be right on his heels.

25-27 But for right now, I’m dispatching Epaphroditus, my good friend and companion in my work. You sent him to help me out; now I’m sending him to help you out. He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you. Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about, he’s been wanting to get back and reassure you that he is just fine. He nearly died, as you know, but God had mercy on him. And not only on him—he had mercy on me, too. His death would have been one huge grief piled on top of all the others.

28-30 So you can see why I’m so delighted to send him on to you. When you see him again, hale and hearty, how you’ll rejoice and how relieved I’ll be. Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace! People like him deserve the best you can give. Remember the ministry to me that you started but weren’t able to complete? Well, in the process of finishing up that work, he put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.

Who do WE need to thank God for and if possible, thank them in person or with a note of praise and thanksgiving?

What do we learn?
–Rejoice together and be glad for each other.
–We are all in this together.
–Be delightful and delighted with each other and to God.
–Pass on what you know and the position you hold to others so they can carry on the work.
–Take more joy in teaching someone else to do what you did better than the way you did it than doing it yourself.
–Take joy in where God will take you next…
–Be the real thing!

Dear Heavenly Father, We are even learning lessons in how to rejoice and the reasons to rejoice. This is not a selfish happiness that quickly fades but a deep lasting forever joy we find in you and for others. Thank you, Lord for this encouragement this morning. Thank you for your Presence in our lives. Thank you for the power of Your Holy Spirit that rushes through us like a mighty river, cleansing us from all the debris in our lives that builds up. Continue to do what you must to transform us to be all you intended for us to be…then do.
In Jesus Name, Amen