Perseverance

Devotion for Aug. 22 – Aug. 28 - Perseverance

Think as you read:

What does perseverance look like for a Christian?

Read Philippians 4

Explore God’s Word

- Who does Paul ask to help Euodia and Syntyche to get along (v. 3)? Do you think this is referring to the entire Philippian congregation, or a single person?

- What reason does Paul give for urging the Philippians to rejoice and be gentle (v. 5)?

- What will happen when the Philippians refrain from being anxious, and offer their requests to God with thankfulness (v. 7)?

- What else does Paul say will bring peace as they persevere (vv. 8-9)?

- What is the “secret” (vv. 11-13) Paul has learned about being content in every situation (v. 13)?

- Paul assures the Philippians that God will meet their needs according to whom (v. 19)?

- Paul’s reference to “Caesar’s household (v. 22)” demonstrates that the Gospel had penetrated the hostile city of Rome. As Paul exhorts the Philippians to persevere, why might this be encouraging news to end on (v. 22)?

Apply God’s Word

- Have you ever been in a position to help two other Christians get along? When situations like this arise, do you try to justify not getting involved by claiming “it’s none of my business?”

- Rejoicing is integral in helping us to persevere. Do you struggle with being able to sincerely rejoice? What might be causing this?

- Are you able to bring your requests to God without being anxious? When you have succeeded in doing this, what difference has it made?

- What true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (v. 8) things do you have to focus on?

- What are you in need of? Have you discovered Paul’s secret of being content for yourself?

Respond in Prayer

Ask God to help you do what is necessary to enable yourself and others to persevere faithfully. Rest in Scripture’s promise that your strength does not come from yourself.

Self-Denial

Devotion for Aug. 15 – Aug. 21 – Self-Denial

Think as you read:

How much should your goals, achievements, and social status influence your identity?

Read Philippians 3

Explore God’s Word

- Who and what does Paul warn the Philippians against (vv. 2-3)?

- What things could Paul place confidence in if he wanted to (vv. 4-6)?

- How do these things compare to knowing Christ (vv. 7-8)?

- What does Paul have confidence in (v. 9), and how has that affected what he wants (vv. 10-11)?

- In order to know Christ and share in his resurrection, what must Paul do (v. 13)?

- Does Paul expect everyone who is a Christian to feel the same way (v. 15-16)?

- Who should people that share Paul’s feelings look to for help (v. 17), and what should be their ultimate focus (vv. 20-21)?

Apply God’s Word

- Do you know people that put too much emphasis on material things and personal accomplishments? How does associating with them affect your spiritual life?

- What things do you have to be proud of? How do you keep from becoming too proud?

- Paul’s desire to know Christ was so strong that he compared everything else to “rubbish” (King James captures this truth the best when it translates this word as “dung”). Do find this statement to be extreme or over the top?

- If so, how do you reconcile Paul’s claim that all who are “mature” (v. 15) should have this view?

- What priorities might you need to “forget” in order to strain “toward what is ahead (v. 13)?”

Respond in Prayer

Thank God for who you are, what you have, and what he’s allowed you to do. Ask for his help and conviction to give up any of this that takes away from your relationship with Jesus.

Emily Grace

It's strange walking into your room. Seeing all the new furniture, decorations, and bright colors is surreal. It's obvious something is different in there. Even the dog explores it curiously during the day. At night, he sleeps on your floor, basking in the brand new scent of items fresh from their packaging. We never go in there, unless we are working, because it is not our room. It is yours.

Isn't that strange? You have a room, clothes, and furniture, and you are not even here to claim it! Your name hangs to the left of the entrance on a pink and brown decoration your mother painted. It matches the colors on your curtains, crib, and the blanket that is draped over the chair we will rock you in when you wake us in the middle of the night.

This room and all of its contents just sit there, idly waiting for someone to bring life into their midst. We could break the silence ourselves, and perhaps start eating our dinner in there every night, as we discuss the day's activities. But that would be ridiculous. It is not our place to do that, it is your room. We talk about it as if you already live here. "Where is the furniture polish," I ask your mom. "It's in Emily's room," she responds. It's in there because she has been meticulously making things just right for your arrival.

But we are not the only ones that are acting out of sorts. Your aunts, uncles, grandparents, and our friends (some that I hardly know) have begun buying you all kinds of things that will find their way into your room. You'll learn that things like this do not often happen in our world. Time, energy, and money are not typically lavished on someone that people have never met. Rooms are not left lifeless with brand-new merchandise for children that people do not know. Yet, all of this sits, quietly waiting for you.

We have no idea what you will look like, who you will take after, or what you will be good at. Those are just some of the reasons people are given gifts and awards in society. But none of them describe the care and attention that has been directed towards you. You have done nothing to earn it, nor have you influenced anyone to get it for you. The only thing that has merited such a production on your behalf is this: you are ours. You belong to us. And for that reason alone, you are already loved far beyond what you could possibly comprehend.

Unity

Devotion for Aug. 8 – Aug. 14 – Unity

Think as you read:

What difference does unity make in the life of a church and its individuals?

Read Philippians 2

Explore God’s Word

- What does Paul ask the Philippians to do in order to “make his joy complete (vv. 1-2)?”

- Whose example does he point to that will aid them in doing this (v. 5)?

- Whom does Paul remind them is working “in” them to help them in following Christ’s example for unified living (vv. 12-13)?

- Why is Paul so greatly concerned about how the Philippians conduct themselves (vv. 14-16)?

- Why does Paul want to send Timothy to the Philippians (v. 20)?

- Why was Epaohroditus sent by the Philippians to Paul (v. 25)? Why did Paul say he was distressed (v. 26)?

Apply God’s Word

- What keeps you from being completely unified with everyone in our fellowship?

- Out of the things that prevent this, how much of it is within your control?

- Paul says YOUR attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus (v. 5). In what ways have you tried to justify not having this attitude towards others?

- In our current state, would past leaders of our church be able to claim that “I did not run or labor for nothing (v. 16)?”

- What can you do in our church to build relationships of “genuine interest (v. 20),” like Timothy and Epaphroditus had with the Philippians?

Respond in Prayer

Pray for unity within our fellowship. Ask God what he wants YOU to do to help make this happen. Ask for forgiveness for the times you’ve failed at doing this.

Suffering

Devotion for Aug. 1 - Aug. 7 - Suffering

Think as you read:

Have you traditionally thought of suffering as having a positive or negative impact on your Christian walk?

Read Philippians 1

Explore God’s Word

- What does Paul give thanks for on behalf of the Philippian congregation (vv. 3-5)?

- What confidence does Paul express towards the Corinthian congregation (v. 6)?

- What positive result has come about Paul’s imprisonment (vv. 12-14)?

- What two ways does Paul say he will be delivered from his current suffering (vv. 19-20)?

- In the midst of suffering, what choice is Paul struggling with (vv. 21-22)?

- What does Paul tell the Philippians that they have in common with him (vv. 29-30)?

Apply God’s Word

- Because of their strong bond, Paul was able to give thanks and pray for the Philippians while he was in prison. Do you have strong relationships like this with other Christians that might encourage you during periods of suffering? How might you build on and improve these?

- Paul rejoiced in his suffering because he saw how it could benefit others. How might you allow God to use your suffering to share his love with others?

- Has it been an encouragement to you when others have told you about struggles they’ve faced that are similar to yours? How might you do the same for someone else?

Respond in Prayer

Ask God to show you others that understand your suffering, as well as ways he can use you in the midst of it.