Month: March 2024

Philippians 4:21a Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. 

Verse 23 resonates with me today, probably because I have used the phrase “grace upon grace” quite a bit of late. But as I looked up the word grace in the online dictionary, I’m not finding any definition that quite fits what I mean when I use it in this capacity.

Philippians 4:21b …The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 

When I look up “grace upon grace” (a reference to John 1:16–who knew?), I find “a constant, overflowing gift,” but of what? For me, grace upon grace means cutting yourself some slack, not beating yourself up over things, recognizing that you are doing the best you can in a given moment. For me, it is much easier to give others grace upon grace than to apply the concept to myself.

Philippians 4:22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

Precious Savior, Thank You for grace upon grace. Thank You for the ability to give others grace in any given situation. Help us all to get better at practicing grace upon grace with all we encounter, including ourselves. Amen.

Philippians 4:23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Have a blessed day.

Philippians 4:18a I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent….  

Today I would like to focus on verse 19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” When I meditate on that verse, it brings me comfort. God will supply ALL my NEEDS. He even supplies so many of my wants and desires.

Philippians 4:18b …They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

On the mountaintops, when things are good, it is so easy to believe this truth, to feel this truth. But in the valleys, verse 19 is just as true. In the valleys, God is still supplying all my needs. If I’m honest, He’s still supplying wants and desires in the valleys, though it is much harder for me to see and acknowledge because I’m preoccupied with the valley.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Precious Savior, Thank You for meeting all my needs according to the riches of Your glory. Thank You for being with me on the mountaintop and in the valley. Help me to feel Your presence, no matter where I am. Amen.

Philippians 4:20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Have a blessed day.

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 

Verse 11 is something that I am still working on–contentment in whatever circumstances. I know the secret to contentment in any circumstance, that’s in verse 13: I can do all things through Him who gives me strength, but the contentment is where I am working.

Philippians 4:11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 

Honestly, I’m still working on the process of finding myself discontent and breathing through it, recentering myself on Him. Deep breath in: I will be ok. Deep breath out: This will be ok. Deep breath in: God’s got me. Deep breath out: He is with me; He is for me.

Philippians 4:12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the truth of these verses. Thank You for Your strength and Your presence. When I find myself discontent, whatever the reason, help me to recenter myself on You–Your sovereignty, Your peace, Your love. Give me strength to be content exactly where I am. Help me remember that You are with me, holding me. Amen.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Have a blessed day.

Philippians 4:8a Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— 

Father, I know that I always see more of what my mind focuses on. If I look for the good, I find the good. If I look for the negative, it’s everywhere. Help me to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable. Help me to keep my eyes and my heart focused on You.

Philippians 4:8b …if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 

Lord, Help me remember that You are present, sovereign, and unchanging, regardless of my circumstances. I can focus on You and on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, no matter my current circumstances. Help me to root my mind and heart in You. Always.

Philippians 4:9a Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice…. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for these truths that You reveal to me as I sit in my recliner each morning. Thank You for the truth that my heart so readily soaks up. Help me to remember Your word, Your truth, as I go throughout my day. Help me to remember Your sovereignty, regardless of my circumstances. Amen.

Philippians 4:9b …And the God of peace will be with you.

Have a blessed day.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!   

The second part of verse 5, for me, is the key to today’s verses. “The Lord is near.” How can I rejoice in the Lord always? This world is such a mess. I can rejoice because the Lord is near. How can I let my gentleness be evident to all? This world will eat me alive if they see my tender heart. I can let my gentleness be evident because the Lord is near.

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Verse 6 is truly difficult for me. How can I be anxious about nothing? Because the Lord is near. And He wants me to hand every situation over to Him, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Help me Jesus. You are near.

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Precious Savior, Thank You for the peace and hope that is present in today’s verses. Help me cling to the fact that You are near. Help me to be anxious for nothing, to hand everything over to You, to have a thankful heart, so that Your peace, which transcends all understanding, can guard my heart and mind in You. Amen.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Verse 1 makes me smile. “…you whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown.” These are his brothers and sisters in Christ that he’s speaking so dearly to, his family in Christ. It just warms my heart to hear the affection.

Philippians 4:2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 

I am also intrigued to hear him call so many women by name. I tend to think of Christ’s disciples as male, of Christ’s society as male-dominated, and both are true, but clearly women were active in the cause as well. Again, it makes me smile.

Philippians 4:3a Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel…. 

Precious Savior, Thank You for the reminder that we all have a place in Your kingdom work. Thank You for the reminder to love our brothers and sisters in Christ as the family they are. Thank You for who You are and who You are to me. Amen.

Philippians 4:3b …along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Have a blessed day.