Archive | June 2022

Philippians 2:19-21

Jun16

But I hope in (or trusting in) the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:19‭-‬21 NASB

I don’t know about you but I struggle with “For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”

How about you? What are your interests in this short life that you live? Do you wonder why you are on this earth? Do you have a purpose beyond just getting up each morning and surviving each day until you die? Are our successes, our interests satisfying? So satisfying that earth is all we want or need? Life is hard and to think this is all there is to it is disheartening, distressing, and downright heartbreaking.
God has a better plan. When our focus moves from self, “me, me, me” to God, we look to eternity and thus live differently. When we seek the interests of Christ Jesus we find all we need, want and blessings from God. We have hope. We have a new perspective on life that leads us to joy in serving God and others.

Jesus, Savior, giver of life. I exalt You! I seek Your forgiveness for focusing my thoughts, my ways, interests above Your way and Your interests.
I will seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, believing the promise that all my needs will be added to me.
God teach me to love others, and not act unbecomingly; nor seek my own way. Love is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered.
Lord, help me not to seek my own good, but that of my neighbor to please them, not seeking my own profit but the profit of many, so that they may be saved. For was that not the reason You came to earth Jesus, so people may be saved? My interest will be Your interest, Jesus. The salvation of many. Guide my way, I pray, in Your name Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Matthew 6:25-33/1 Corinthians 13:5/1 Corinthians 10:24/1 Corinthians 10:33 NASB

🌹do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:17-18

Jun15

Philippians 2:17-18

But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
Philippians 2:17‭-‬18 NASB

God of my joy, I pray Your joy overflows to others through me so we may rejoice together in the service of our faith.
Lord, I pray asking for a heart that will most gladly spend and be expended for the sake of the souls of others so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to Your glory, God! Therefore, Lord, I ask that I will not lose heart at my tribulations on behalf of others, for they are Your glory. In Jesus name, amen.
Corinthians 12:25a/2 Corinthians 4:15/Ephesians 3:13 NASB

🌹knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:3‭-‬4 NASB

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon

Philippians 2:14-16

Jun14

Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove (become) yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear (shine) as lights (luminaries, stars) in the world, holding fast (forth) the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Philippians 2:14‭-‬16 NASB

Glorious God, may I find reason to glory because I did not run this race of life in vain nor toil in vain.
Forgive me of my grumbling or when I dispute because it brings dishonor to You. Transform me into a blameless and innocent child of Yours, above reproach in this perverse and crooked world that acts corruptly toward You, for they are not Your children but are a perverse and crooked generation.
Lord God, may I be found righteous in Your sight, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of Your word, Lord.
God, as Your beloved child, help me to imitate You by walking in love, just as Christ also loved me and gave Himself up for us all, an offering and a sacrifice to You, Lord God, as a fragrant aroma.
And God I pray I will solemly testify and keep on exhorting, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” For and to the glory of God, in the name of Jesus, amen.
Deuteronomy 32:5‭/Luke 1:6/Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2/Acts 2:40

🌹“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14‭-‬16 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:12-13

Jun13

So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:12‭-‬13 NASB

Jesus, my Savior, the living source of my salvation, I bow in humble adoration of Your amazing gift of life.
Jesus having been made the perfect man, You became to all those who obey You the source of eternal salvation.
I pray for obedient participation in the gospel, now until Your return. For I am confident of this very thing, that You began a good work in me and will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
For it was fitting for You — for all things are from You, and through You are all things — in bringing many to glory. You are the perfect author of their salvation through sufferings. I thank You God for being the perfector of my salvation and surrender to Your continued authorship in the working out of my salvation.
Lord God, equip me in every good thing to do Your will, working in me that which is pleasing in Your sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 5:9/Philippians 1:5‭-‬6/Hebrews 2:10/Hebrews 13:21

🌹There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons.
Ephesians 1:23 NASB
which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
1 Corinthians 12:6 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:8-11

Jun10

Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:8‭-‬11 NASB

Yesterday’s devotion spoke of the humbleness of Jesus. His grace bestowed upon us. He became poor so we could become rich.

Jesus, my Savior, You are worthy to be praised, for by Your humbleness You brought salvation. What we do see is You, Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels, and because, You suffered death for me and others, You are now “crowned with glory and honor”. Yes, by the grace of God You tasted death for everyone. By this I am humbled, Lord. Out of obedience to the Father You were delivered over to the hands of godless men and put to death, nailed to a cross. For through one man’s disobedience all were made sinners, even so through Your obedience, Jesus, many can be made righteous. For this I am truly grateful. And by Your seeking the will of the Father and not Your own You have shown me what I must do, seek Your kingdom first.
I will fix my eyes on You, Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before You endured the cross, despising the shame, and now sit down at the right hand of the throne of God far above all rule and authority and power and dominion. You are far above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come! In Your glorious, everlasting name I pray, amen.
Hebrews 2:9/Acts 2:23/Romans 5:19/Matthew 26:39/Hebrews 12:2/Ephesians 1:21 NASB

🌹For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Romans 14:9 NASB

Is Jesus your Lord? Your Savior? If not, He can be. The Bible says,
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
Romans 10:9 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:5-7

Jun9

Have this attitude in (or among) yourselves  which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped (utilized or asserted), but emptied (laid aside His privileges) Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:5‭-‬7 NASB

Jesus, You demonstrate the perfect humbleness, totally void of pride. I pray for this attitude to be in me. Even though I find it hard to grasp that You being the Word, existing with God in the beginning and are God, would leave Your place on high, leaving the Father to come to earth as a bondservant. But You did, Jesus. You became flesh and dwelt among mankind. Your glory was seen, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. You came to serve and give Your life a ransom for many, me included. Your grace abounds to me for rich as You were, You became poor for my sake so that through Your poverty I might become rich. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God, You did: sending Your own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, Jesus condemned sin in the flesh, HALLELUJAH!! Jesus  as You took on the form of a bondservant, I want to follow in Your footsteps as a bondservant – Your slave. A person who is Your property and wholly subject to You. I surrender my life, my way, my all to You. All for Your glory Lord God in Jesus name. Amen.
John 1:1/John 1:14/Matthew 20:28/2 Corinthians 8:9/Romans 8:3

🌹But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law,
Galatians 4:4 NASB
Jesus existed from the beginning. He always was, always is and always will be. He was made human in the image of God!! But unlike us He was a perfect human! We are made in the image of God through sanctification (to be made holy; set apart as sacred; consecrated) by who? Jesus Christ, Himself.

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:3-4

Jun8

Do nothing from (according to) selfishness (contentiousness) or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3‭-‬4 NASB

God, in this world that is “all about me”, I confess my selfishness and empty conceit. I  pray I will not be selfishly ambitious but proclaim the name of Christ from pure motives. I pray I will obey the truth and run from unrighteousness to obey righteousness. I  pray, Lord God for Your church, that we will not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another but to be devoted to one another in brotherly love giving preference to one another in honor. May we be subject to one another in the fear of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in His name and for His glory, amen.
Romans 2:8/Philippians 1:17/Galatians 5:26/Romans 12:10/Ephesians 5:21 NASB

🌹Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.
Romans 15:1‭-‬2 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 2:1-2

Jun7

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being (that you be) of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Philippians 2:1‭-‬2 NASB

Because of Your sacrifice on the cross, Christ Jesus, I crucify the flesh with its passions and desires. I find comfort in Your love for me and through fellowship with the Spirit desire to live with and also walk by the Spirit. Make my heart tender and compassionate toward Your church, Your people. I pray we can be a people of the same mind, loving one another as You have commanded us to do, and work together with one mind and purpose for the church, kingdom and Your glory, Lord God. Amen
Philippians 2:1-2/Galatians 5:24‭-‬25 NASB

🌹The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
2 Corinthians 13:14 NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 1:27-30

Jun6

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Philippians 1:27‭-‬30 NASB

Father of the Gospel, Jesus Christ, I pray for Your church. I pray that we would conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of Christ’s sacrifice. Help us to be on the alert, standing firm in the faith, and to be strong. I pray all that we do would be done in love. I ask Lord God for the congregation of those who believe that we would be of one heart and soul; and not one would claim that anything belonging to them was his own, but all things were common property to us all for the benefit of the gospel. God, through this bond of brotherhood in Your church, help us to persevere through faith in the midst of all persecution and afflictions which we face, helping us to endure. This is a plain indication of Your righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which indeed we are suffering. God, as we, Your church, proclaim Jesus, help us admonish and teach every person with all wisdom, so that we may present every person complete in Christ. May this be our purpose in the church, laboring, striving according to Your power working mightily within us.
God, my hope is to one say say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith”. I know that in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which You Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved the appearing of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ in whom I pray, amen.
1 Corinthians 16:13‭-‬14/Acts 4:32/2 Thessalonians 1:4‭-‬5/Colossians 1:28‭-‬29/2 Timothy 4:7‭-8

🌹Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
Hebrews 12:1

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Matthew 5:12‭ NASB

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon 

Philippians 1:21-26

Jun3

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:21‭-‬26 NASB

Have you ever thought about the moment when your eyes gaze into the eyes of your Savior Jesus Christ?

I imagine it to be exuberant, overflowing with breathless joy, complete speechless awe that rips away every fear, hesitation, doubt, distrust, apprehension, inhibition. That will be true freedom. Abounding, pure, overflowing flood of love never experienced before.To say the least I am looking forward to that day.

we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8

But today God has a plan for His kingdom and lost souls. Now is the time for fruitful labor.
Now is the time to go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 NASB

🌹God help me to be faithful to encourage brothers and sisters of faith to be fruitful and faithful to spread the gospel to the lost of this world, being diligent until the day our faith is made sight. For Your glory and in Jesus name I pray, amen. 

Continually Seeking Him, 

Sharon