“Go with me back in history a couple of thousand years. Let’s go to the city of Rome. The thrilling metropolis of gladiators, chariots, and empires. But don’t stop at the coliseum or palace. Go rather to a drab little room, surrounded by high walls. Let’s imagine that we can peek into the room and look. Inside we see a man seated on the floor. He’s an older fellow, shoulders stooped and balding. Chains are on his hands and feet. And chained to him is a guard from the Roman army.

It is the apostle Paul. The apostle who has traveled all over the world. The apostle who has liberated people in every port. The apostle who was bound only by the will of God is now in chains—stuck in a dingy house—attached to a Roman officer.

Here is a fellow who has every reason to be in a slump!

He is restricted by walls. He is afflicted by friends. He is conflicted by danger.

He is writing a letter. No doubt it is a complaint letter to God. No doubt it is a list of grievances. No doubt he is writing the New Testament version of Lamentations. He has every reason to be bitter and complain. But he doesn’t. Instead, he writes a letter that two thousand years later is still known as the treatise on joy.” –Max Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

This is a letter of joy and rejoicing through all circumstances of life.  Jesus told his followers before leaving earth to go back home; “in this world you will have troubles, but relax, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) We must ask ourselves;

Do we truly believe in Jesus as the overcomer of all that is here on earth?  Paul did.

Philippians is my favorite book of encouragement.  I have used the words of Paul over the years, numerous times, to encourage others as they live for Jesus.  “Every time I think of you, I give thanks for you…”  No matter what Paul is going through while sitting in jail, he teaches us to be like Christ, who thought of others, putting aside His own interests, giving His life for ours.  Jesus is the Source of our joy!  Paul thanks believing friends who also decidedly follow Jesus and receive His joy in the work.  Paul is a committed servant of Jesus Christ.  He rejoices when believing friends also serve Jesus by telling the Message of redemptive salvation for all.

Dear brothers and sisters all over the world, I thank God for you right now! 

For you who read this daily and receive the peace that God gives to us; I thank you God for you!

For some of you who pop in once a while seeking encouragement; I thank God for you! 

For some who have read God’s Word with me over the years and passed it on to others; my heart is filled with joy! 

For you who have given your whole being to Jesus as Lord and live to serve Him; I rejoice with you! 

Every time I think of you, those I have met face to face and many I have not; I thank God for you.  I pray for and with you.  Pray for me as I continue to write words of joy and encouragement by the guidance of His Holy Spirit.  Pray, too that others will come to know and follow Jesus.  It is with a glad heart that these “Daily Manna” messages that proclaim Jesus’ salvation for all are written. 

Brothers and sisters, I thank God for you and pray that God who began this work in us would help us to keep at it until that glorious Day when Christ returns to take us home for eternity!

Philippians 1, The Message

^1-2 Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

A Love That Will Grow

^3-6 Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

^7-8 It’s not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

^9-11 So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Pray with and for each other as God’s way of loving Him and each other!

Pray for all who God brings to our minds. God knows who could use the encouragement of knowing someone is praying for them.

Pray with joy and thanksgiving on our hearts.  Rejoice in the honored privilege to boldly come to the throne of God who hears and answers with compassion and knowing what is best for us.  Thank God for listening to our hearts as well as our words.

Pray in all the details of life for God delights in us who pray believing.

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
    but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephania 3:17, NIV

“The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.” Psalms 37:23-25 NLT

Paul relentlessly and continually pointed to Jesus as his strength and his protector. He told the church in Philippi that they must trust God at all times, even when things seemed difficult.  When we truly rejoice in God, we can find peace in the middles of our storms, knowing that God is sovereign, most holy, and is always with us through it all. 

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:20

Lord,

Thank you for all who are coming to you this morning with praise on our lips.  I will rejoice in this day you have made.  And again, I say rejoice.  I am glad for your Presence in our lives.  I am grateful for your guidance.  Cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and continually restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.

In Jesus Name, Amen