What Are Your Motives?

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 1:15-20. In this Scripture Paul says he knew that some of those who were preaching Christ were doing it out of envy and strife. What did Paul mean by this? There were those who were using this time that Paul was imprisoned as an opportunity to gain an advantage over him. They were trying to advance themselves.

Some of them were envious of Paul’s ministry. They wanted to add to Paul’s suffering by trying to surpass him in ministry and make him look bad. Paul didn’t care about competing with them. His ministry was about serving God and furthering the gospel of Christ. It wasn’t about making a name for him.

We all need to work together and cooperate to share the gospel. There is enough work for all of us to do. We don’t have any reason to be competing in the work of the Lord. There are a lot of people to reach. We are wasting precious time when we try to compete with one another. We should support one another’s ministry instead of trying to tear each other down to make ourselves look better. We need to pray for each other.

Paul also knew that there were those who preached the gospel as an act of goodwill, truly wanting to further the Gospel of Christ. They preached the gospel out of a love for God and as an extension of Paul’s ministry while he wasn’t available. Paul was happy that the gospel of Christ was being preached. He wasn’t concerned about their motives. Do you rejoice that the gospel of Christ is being preached?

Paul thanked the Philippians for praying for him. He knew God answered their prayers. God gave Paul an ample supply of the Holy Spirit of Christ to comfort and keep him in spite of the circumstances.

Paul knew that God was in control even though the circumstances didn’t look too good at the moment. Paul still fully trusted God. Paul was awaiting his trial before Caesar Nero and he didn’t know what the outcome would be. Paul turned the situation over to God. Paul’s hope and trust in God gave him confidence to know that whether he lived or died Christ would be glorified in his body.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 1:15-20

15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:

16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

 

Things to think about:

• How can we work together to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?

• Do you make it a habit to pray for other Christians? What are some things we can pray about on their behalf?

• How can we support other ministries who preach or teach the gospel?

 

 

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see that Paul rejoiced because the gospel of Christ was being preached in spite of his circumstances and others motives. He wasn’t nearly as concerned about himself as he was the furtherance of the gospel. Paul counted on the prayers of the Philippians and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to keep him during this difficult time.

Help us to put aside our selfish desires and focus on spreading the gospel of Christ to this lost and dying world. Help us as Christians to work together to further Your kingdom. Give us the same kind of trust and confidence in You Paul had. We love You, LORD. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

– Philippians 1:20

 

Featured Book:

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi

by Deborah H. Bateman

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi is a Daily Bible Reading study of the book of Philippians by Deborah H. Bateman. The book of Philippians is from the New Testament of the Bible and is one of the Apostle Paul’s letters. In the book of Philippians Paul encourages the saints at Philippi to be strong in their faith, to stand fast in the Lord, and to be content in Christ.

Paul loved the Philippians and it shows in his writing to them. Paul knew that they loved him as well. The Philippians showed their love for Paul by supporting his ministry.

Paul would never forget the Philippians because of the way they cared for him when he ministered to them. They would always have a special place in his heart.

Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. He wanted to make sure they never let anybody steer them in the wrong direction. He wanted them to stay on course and do the things he had taught them whether he was with them or not.

The Book of Philippians: Paul’s Letter to Philippi contains ten Daily Bible Reading lessons. Each lesson consists of a brief commentary, the Daily Bible Reading Scripture, several questions for contemplation or discussion, and a prayer for the day to go along with the lesson. This is a great Bible study for individual daily devotions or for a group Bible study.

For those of you interested in Bible journaling, may I suggest you pick your favorite Bible verse from each lesson and journal about it. This will be a great reminder of the lessons you learn as you read and study this book.

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Have a blessed day,

Deborah

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