Rejoice in the Lord

Today’s Daily Bible Reading is from Philippians 3:1-11. Paul exhorts the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. We can’t base our happiness on our situations or circumstances. If we do, we will be miserable. We can only base our joy on trusting God to work all things together for good as is stated in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Paul warns them by saying, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.” What do you suppose Paul means by that statement? Paul was telling them to beware of anyone who would try to devour them by telling them anything other than the true gospel. There were those who were legalistic. They still believed their salvation was based on the law of the Old Testament. They didn’t base their Christianity on faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Paul goes on to remind them that as Christians, we are the circumcision who worship God in spirit; rejoice in Jesus Christ and have no confidence in the flesh. Paul says that if any man thinks he can have confidence in the flesh it would be him. Paul was circumcised on the eighth day. He was a descendant of Abraham from Israel. He was born in the tribe of Benjamin. Paul says, he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. He was a Pharisee concerning the law. Paul was zealous, he obeyed the law.

Whatever was gain to Paul he counted as loss for Christ. Paul says he counts everything as loss for the knowledge of Christ. Paul suffered loss of everything, but counted it as nothing in order to win Christ. Paul knew his righteousness wasn’t found in anything he did. It was found in faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Paul’s desire was to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and to be made conformable unto His death. Paul was willing by any means to attain the resurrection of the dead. Paul’s desire was to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He suffered a lot for the cause of Christ, but he didn’t put his hope in his flesh or anything he had done. His only hope was his faith in what Jesus Christ did on the cross so we might have eternal life.

 

Daily Bible Reading:

Philippians 3:1-11

1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:

5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

 

Things to think about:

• Is your hope in Christ?

• How can we trust in Christ and not our circumstances to make us happy?

• In what ways do you rejoice in the Lord knowing that He works all things together for good?

 

Prayer of the Day:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank You for this Scripture in the book of Philippians. We see where Paul exhorted the Philippians to rejoice in You in spite of their circumstances. Help us to do this as well. Paul told them to beware of those who might try to mislead them. Help us to be on guard and know Your Word so we will know the truth and not be easily misled. Paul reminds them that the only hope we have is in Christ’s death on the cross and His resurrection. Help us to place our hope in Him. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

 

Daily Bible Verse:

me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.

– Philippians 3:1

 

Christian Music Video: Rejoice in the Lord (a cappella) – Hamilton Family

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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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