Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
Devotions on Philippians 1:1-18a
Monday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“I thank my God every time I remember you” (Philippians 1:3).
Family and friends gathered around Sally for her one hundredth birthday. Part of the celebration, as usual, was an opportunity for Sally to share with everyone the wisdom that she had learned over the years. When that time came, Sally sat up straight and said with a loud, clear voice, “One thing I’ve learned is that complaining doesn’t cut it. Being thankful is the only way to be happy.”
Paul knew that Sally’s words were true. Thankfulness is a frequent topic of his letters. In the opening sentences of his letter, he stresses his thankfulness for the people in his life. The Philippians were God’s gift to Paul, and they had been through a lot together.
Paul’s words remind us that people are God’s gift to us. We can be thankful for those who share life with us, who stand by us in difficult times and who celebrate the good times with us. Perhaps it would be good, if we not only gave God thanks for the people God has blessed us with, but also told the people around us how thankful we are for them.
Thank you, Lord, for our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. They fill up our lives. Amen.
Tuesday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
Lorenzo was a craftsman. His favorite medium was stained glass and his creations were beautiful. Piece by piece he put his designs together. He made sure that everything fit together perfectly. He focused on each project and made sure that it was completed before moving on to another design.
Like Lorenzo, the Holy Spirit moves in our lives working on God’s creation. The Spirit uses the people in our lives to bend and shape us. Our struggle harden us. By the Spirit’s hand, our successes sharpen us. The Spirit never stops working on us and transforming us into God’s image. The tools that the Spirit uses are never put down until we see God face to face and are complete.
Holy Spirit, mold us and shape us into the people you want us to be. Amen.
Wednesday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“This is my prayer that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight” (Philippians 1:9).
Parents wish for many things for their children. They hope for success, safety and comfort. The most common item that parents wish for their children is love. Parents want their children whom they can love and who would love them.
Paul, like a concerned and loving parent, prays for love for the Philippians. He prays that the Philippians love will overflow—both individually and as a community. We cannot find a better prayer in which to join Paul. Loved by the creator of love, let us pray that our love and the love of our faith communities might overflow.
Lord, Move within us so that our love is both genuine and abundant. Amen.
Thursday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“Having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:11).
The church’s fellowship hall was packed to capacity. Several hundred people had come together to celebrate Pastor Jaqueline’s ministry at her retirement party. After dinner an open mike was provided. Scores of people shared how “Pastor Jackie” had touched their lives. Pastor Jackie was both humbled by their comments and amazed. She had no idea that she had been a positive influence on so many people. She momentarily recalled all of those days that she grieved that nothing was happening in the congregation.
All of us impact the lives of others in ways we cannot imagine. Though we may not all have retirement parties to reveal this to us, it is true. As followers of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit flows through us, using our words and actions to touch others with God’s love and grace. There are times when we will be aware of this happening. Occasionally, people come and thank us. Most of the time, though, we haven’t a clue what the Holy Spirit is doing. All we can do is give thanks to the Lord and trust that the Holy Spirit is producing a rich harvest of righteousness through us.
Holy Spirit, use us to plant seeds of love which will, in time, produce a harvest that glorifies you. Amen.
Friday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“What has happened to me has actually helped to spread the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).
There is a Chinese story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse escaped into the hills and when the farmer’s neighbors sympathized with the old man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?” A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, “Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?”
Then, when the farmer’s son was attempting to tame one of the wild horses, he fell off its back and broke his leg. Everyone thought this very bad luck. Not the farmer, whose only reaction was, “Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?”
Some weeks later, the army marched into the village and conscripted every able-bodied youth they found there. When they saw the farmer’s son with his broken leg, they let him off. Now was that good luck or bad luck?
Who knows?
Everything that seems on the surface to be an evil may be a good in disguise. And everything that seems good on the surface may really be an evil. So we are wise when we leave it to God to decide what is good fortune and what is misfortune, and thank him that all things turn out for good with those who love him.
From Bad to Good
Very few people shared Paul’s view of his imprisonment. Most of Paul’s friends and acquaintances would have said that it was unfortunate. Paul could have been out preaching the gospel to hundreds if not thousands if he had not been imprisoned. Paul saw the Spirit’s movement even in the difficult times of his life.
Our lives are filled with both good times and bad; successes and failures. The Lord is powerful enough to use all of the situations of our lives to God’s glory. For this we can be thankful.
Shine, Jesus, shine at all times and in all situations in our lives. Amen.
Saturday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“And most of the brothers and sisters having been made more confident in the Lord by my imprisonment dare to speak the word” (Philippians 1:14).
Prior to the economic downturn in 2008, Juan had built up a thriving landscaping business. His business and financial success was an inspiration to many, especially to the Latino population. Juan’s landscaping business plummeted during the economic chaos. His finances were decimated and he almost lost his business. In the years that followed, though, Juan persevered and built his business back up. While he was struggling to keep his business, Juan discovered that his perseverance was more of an inspiration to other people than was his previous success.
One of the blessings that came out of Paul’s imprisonment was that other Christians were inspired and encouraged to share their faith with the people they met. The gospel of Jesus Christ was furthered as people responded to the good news and to God’s love and grace.
We cannot avoid the struggles and tribulations of life. We can, by God’s grace, respond to them in faith and hope. Doing so, enables us to shine brightly for Jesus and inspire others in their faith.
Lord, move in us so that even in our struggles we proclaim your good news and serve as an inspiration for others. Amen.
Sunday–Paul, Who Wrote Philippians
“That Christ is proclaimed in every way” (Philippians 1:18).
We all struggle with envy. Congregations are envious of those congregations that appear to be blessed by the Holy Spirit with greater growth. If it isn’t growth, congregations may long to have the grand facilities that other congregations enjoy. We struggle to keep our feelings at bay when others are recognized for their service and our efforts are ignored. Such thoughts and feelings, though, do not help the body of Christ.
Paul had many rivalries. Some rejoiced in his shackles and flaunted their ministries. Others sought to comfort Paul, see to his needs and carry out his ministry in his stead. Paul rejoice in it all because he saw that Jesus was being proclaimed in every way.
As followers of Jesus, we do not need to be in competition with each other. Nor do we need to be envious of each other’s successes. We are on the same team! We are all children of God and we all have been called, at our baptism, to carry on the ministry of Jesus. There is much for which to be thankful and we can rejoice that Jesus Christ is being proclaimed in every way.
Lord, move powerfully through your entire church so that the good news is proclaimed, your love and grace shared, and people respond in faith to you. Amen.