Philippians 1 - 4 (17th December) - Sky

If you’ve had trouble seeing how faith can be dressed in everyday work clothes, read Philippians. It puts lofty truths into practical terms.

Philippians 1

In prison, Paul consistently preaches the Gospel thus coming out with the chapter title, Paul’s Chains Advance the Gospel.

V6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the days of Jesus Christ

When we trust Christ, we are already fully saved. But GOD’s work in our lives continues until the day of Christ Jesus, the time that he returns or until the time when we die and stand before him. Only than shall we be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

Courage can be contagious, but Paul has set an example to the believers to speak up. Even during great hardship, Paul ignored the potential negative consequences to share the message. His example challenges others to be just as bold in telling other the world of GOD.

Philippians 2

We learn a very important lesson from this chapter today, imitating Christ’s humility.

Christ enjoyed complete equality with the Father. Even in human form his essential nature remained unchanged; he was still God. Yet so that he might take away the sins of the world, he voluntarily laid aside the privileges and glory of his heavenly authority.
When people recognize and confess Christ’s lordship they will be saved.

Like a new generation, we are to shine like the stars in the universe. To be someone bright and to shine for our GOD, how is it to you to shine in wherever you are?

Philippians 3

The book Philippians continue to teach us further lessons in our walk with Christ.

Paul has come into a greater understanding in his walk, and that is he has no confidence in his flesh. Nothing good has come and will ever come out from it, and that’s a lesson we should take home. Only the Holy Spirit can tutor and mentor us in our walk in righteousness.

V13 – 14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize which GOD has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes we tend to wonder away from the goal, with our hurts, struggles, past. But we forgetting what is behind and straining what is ahead towards the goal.

Philippians 4

We are to think of lovely, pure, right, noble and true thoughts. Paul is not talking about fleeting impressions that invade our thinking. Thoughts of temptations or discouragement can come unannounced. But we can discipline ourselves, making conscious choices to contemplate good things. Reading uplifting Bible verses, for example, listening the Holy Spirit to get us to the right track. Convict yourself to be discipline in your thoughts today.