I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 1:9-14. Paul starts this portion of Scripture with his prayer for the Philippians. Paul prays that their love will abound in knowledge and in judgment. The Philippians had a lot of love. They had shown Paul their love by supporting him and his ministry. Paul still prayed that their love would grow. Why do you think Paul would pray for their love to grow when they already had so much love? Do you think we can ever get too much love?
Paul prayed that their love would be founded in knowledge and judgment. He wanted them to approve things that were excellent and be sincere without offense until Christ’s return. Paul’s desire for them was that they would be filled with the fruits of righteousness. This wasn’t something they could do on their own. They could only do this through their relationship with Christ. Bearing such fruit is a sign of God’s work in our lives.
Paul wanted the Philippians to understand that even though he had been arrested and was in prison, God’s work through him still continued. God used Paul’s situation to further the gospel. Don’t you love the way God takes something that the enemy meant for evil and turns it around for HIS glory? Paul’s imprisonment led to many conversions for Christ in the palace and other places as well.
Many of the brethren became bold about preaching the Word of God, without fear. They saw how God used Paul’s imprisonment to further the gospel. They saw that Paul was joyous in spite of his circumstances. Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel of Christ. He still proclaimed it even when he was imprisoned. God used this time when Paul was imprisoned to have him write these letters to the churches to encourage and instruct them.
You may not be in what you consider the ideal situation. If you turn it over to God He can use it for His glory. You may be in a job you don’t particularly like. Ask God to use you there to reach someone for His kingdom. You may be in another situation that you aren’t particularly happy about. Turn it over to God and see how He can bless you and use you in spite of the circumstance.
Daily Bible Reading:
Philippians 1:9-14
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Things to think about:
- What was Paul’s desire for the Philippians?
- How did God use Paul’s circumstance to further the gospel?
- Has God used your circumstance to further the gospel of Christ?
Prayer of the Day:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see that you used Paul’s situation to further the gospel of Christ. Help us to turn our lives and our situations in life over to You for the advancement of Your kingdom. Help us to rejoice in You in spite of our circumstances. Give us strength and confidence to be bold in sharing the gospel with others. We love you, LORD. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Daily Bible Verse:
knowledge and in all judgment;
– Philippians 1:9
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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