“Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly” (Philippians 2:23-24)

Paul desired to impart the Gospel to those who would receive it.  Impart and not just talk about it.  There is something very real which is given in the Gospel.  It is not just an idea, but the power of God unleashed amidst the thoughts and ideas of this world.  You have heard, but have you believed?  You have received, but is the truth alive and active in You?  These are the things Paul is talking about.

Lord, help me to understand these things.  Yes, they are a mystery, but it is what You say in Your Word.  Guide me into deeper understanding so that I may begin to grasp the reality of mysteries You share through Your Word and through those whom You send who speak Your word.  Lead me, O Lord, in order that I may be guided by Your goodness and mercy always.  Help me receive the truth that I may always walk with You.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, You have revealed the light and life that is present through You in this world.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may now and always listen and learn as You would have me listen and learn.  Guide me to walk where You would have me walk.  Take away from me the desire to follow my own heart and teach me how to follow You.  In all things, help me to see that You are with me.  Amen.

“But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father” (Philippians 2:22)

Will you receive those whom the Lord sends?  In our day we want credentials, but if one is sent of the Lord, will you receive him as the world teaches you, or as one sent by the Lord?  Many an angel has been passed by unaware because they will not be received.  The Gospel will be furthered.  The question is whether you will be a part of what the Lord is doing around and through you.

Lord, grant that I would have discernment such that I would be aware when You are present.  Help me hear when You are speaking through another.  Guide me in the way of life which You have created.  If I am sent, help me to bear all things for Your sake.  If another is sent, open my ears to hear Your message through them.  In all things, lead me to see, hear, and do what You know I need to receive and do.

Lord Jesus, You have empowered us through the gift of grace to be on the path of becoming children of the Heavenly Father.  You have given us the example of what that looks like.  Lead me, Lord, so that I would be guided by You to give and receive according to Your purpose.  Help me this day in all of my struggles so that I would learn and grow in the way of the Gospel.  Amen.

“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 2:20-21).

Do you have those around you who are genuinely interested in your spirit?  The purpose of our Christian fellowship is to first and foremost be a place where the relationship with our Lord and Savior is kindled and nurtured.  Yes, there is the social aspect, but that is secondary.  Work to keep right priorities so that you may live into the life for which you have been called through grace.  Be led by all that our Lord is doing.

Lord, You have built communities that encourage us to live lives of faith.  No community is perfect, but all that are in You are there to be an encouragement.  Help me to be a part of  the community in which You have placed me knowing that it is about You and not about me.  Help me see that You are always at work and that in and through You all things will come together according to the Father’s will.

Lord Jesus, the fellowship is another name for the bride You are raising up to be in You and You in them.  Help me to keep my priorities straight and live into the life You are creating in me as well as in those who are gathered with me in fellowship.  Lead me to see that in You alone is there hope and the only future worth living.  Guide me this day to be a part of the bride You have called out amongst those who have become faithful by Your call.  Amen.

“But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition” (Philippians 2:19).

We need workers in the vineyard of the Gospel to share with us the truth of salvation.  In our modern, self-reliant world where we use the internet, we forget that our faith is personal and relational.  Receive the Timothys that come into your midst and know that every worker is worthy of his or her wages.  Be encouraged and be an encouragement to others.  There is nothing new under the sun, so rely upon what the Lord has done consistently throughout the ages.

Lord, I do not know if every age has done this, but I live in a time where we think we are different.  We are not, but we think we are.  Help me to look to You so that I may gain the wisdom You offer, and receive and share what You give.  Help me to be an encouragement to others and to receive the encouragement You send through them.  In and through all things, lead me in the way of everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life in and through You.  Let me receive You as You come to me in order that I may grow in Your likeness.  Let me receive others as You send them so that I may always be obedient even with what You intend to do through others.  Open my eyes to see these things and rejoice in all that You have done so that we may have the abundant life You intend through grace.  Amen.

“You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me” (Philippians 2:18).

We are to rejoice in one another.  We are to cherish the ways in which the Lord is working in our midst.  We are to look to Him and be glad that He is working through us.  Are you working toward these things?  See this in stark contrast to the world in which we live and its selfish ways.  Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the One who gave His life to save you.

Lord, teach me the way of salvation.  Guide me now and always in the way You have established so that I would walk the narrow road You have placed before me.  Now and always, may I be guided by You and the way of everlasting life.  Help me, Lord, to see through the temptations of this age in order to settle on the good and firm ground of Your grace and mercy.  Teach me how to share the joy of salvation with others.

Lord Jesus, You did not count the cost, but gave up everything so that we who were in rebellion might be reconciled with and through You.  Guide me, Lord, in order that I may now and always live in to this life of faith.  Help me walk through those times where I look only at myself in order that I may rejoice with others in what You are doing through them.  Lead me, Lord, and teach me how to always follow You.  Amen.

“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” (Philippians 2:17).

Take your eyes off yourself.  Look at what is being done by the Lord through you.  In this sinful world, people are living for themselves.  Sometimes, you and I are also.  The Lord is making of us something different, where our focus is elsewhere.  Do you rejoice in what the Lord is doing?  Do you hope for what the Lord promises?  Look outward and be willing to be used for His purpose.

Lord, let me not be concerned with what happens to me, but rejoice when I see Your kingdom growing.  Guide me Lord in the way of truth so that I may now and always abide in You, knowing the hope of glory You have given me through salvation.  How can I complain when I see that You gave up everything so that I might gain all things.  Lead me to follow Your example.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the hope You have given me through faith.  Lead me, O Lord, in order that I may now and always live into the promise You have already given me through grace.  Guide me to know that in You is all hope and a future.  May I learn from You with a willingness to be poured out so that others may live into the same hope You have given me through grace.  Lead me this day and every day.  Amen.

“Holding fast 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 2:16).

Preachers do think about whether what they are doing is in vain.  Behind every famous person of faith is the nameless preacher or teacher.  Each one of us has a time in which to be the preacher/teacher.  This is what is meant when we are sent and told to go the ends of the earth and share the Good News of salvation in Christ.  In Him alone is all hope and a future.  Will you glory in the faith of another?

Lord, there is no business more serious than what You have given me to do.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth so that I would hold fast to You.  Guide me through the pitfalls of this age, removing what needs to be removed and strengthening what needs to be strengthened.  Through all things, help me to be a witness of Your presence in my life, living according to Your Word.

Lord Jesus, Word made flesh, You have dwelt among us to shine the truth of the glory of God through Your life, death, and resurrection.  Guide me this day so that I may hold fast as a witness and bear Your light to a lost and condemned world.  Through all that happens this day, may I be found faithful, stalwart, and reflecting Your light through all I do.  Abide in me, Lord, and let it be evident that You are abiding in me.  Amen.

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15)

It is difficult to be a follower of Jesus in this world.  It always has been.  The wicked one seeks whom he may devour and takes down those who might follow the Lord.  But you, what will you do?  Will you hold fast to the truth and live into the promised life that is before you?  Will you abide in Him and have Him abide in you?  Will you accept what is and do what He gives you to do without grumbling?

Lord, there are too many worries that I carry because I do care.  Yet, You tell me to not worry, not to grumble, nor to be upset when wickedness forces its way in.  Lead me, Lord, through this age looking to You for all things.  Only You know how to navigate through the pains, trials, and troubles that come my way.  You are the Savior and apart from You I can do nothing.  Save me in every time of trial.

Lord Jesus, You went to the cross intentionally and without rancor.  Teach me to do the same in all things and doing what is right and good.  Guide me according to Your purpose so that I would not be argumentative, demanding, nor live in reproach.  Teach me to become as You are in order that I may be a child of the Heavenly Father and live the life You give me to live amidst the pain of this world.  Amen.

“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).

The whole of our salvation is wrapped up in this simple sentence.  Work as if it depended upon you, but never forget it is the Lord who saves and empowers you.  Live with and for Him in a loving relationship now and forever.  What lover counts what is done?  Do not lovers willingly and delightedly do for the other?  The Lord is working in you or you would not be reading about Him.  But you must do your part or you are not receiving Him.

Lord, this sentence is so profound, but it is truth.  Just as you cannot have belief without faith, so also you cannot have salvation without You and the cross and me and my acceptance and living into all that this means.  Help me to not separate these two, but to live them in the way You know they need to be lived.  Guide me ever deeper into the mystery of the salvation which You have purchased for me from the cross.

Lord Jesus, without You there is no salvation.  But I am a living and thinking being who has my part to do.  Lead me, O Lord, to live the life You have given me to live.  Help me to be fervent in action, dependent on Your power, and humble in all things.  May I be found both active and looking to You at all times, and for all things.  Lead me in prayer and guide me into Your truth.  Help me to live out the faith You have given me.  Amen.

“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 2:9-11).

Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings.  Jesus is God.  What has the Lord done?  There is only One who is Lord and God.  Either you will bow willingly and live under King Jesus, or you will continue in rebellion.  The truth for us sinners is somewhere in between.  But your bent is one way or the other.  Which is it going to be for you?  Will you live for the kingdom?

Lord, salvation is being saved from the mess of this world.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may walk humbly with You, my Lord and my God.  Guide me in Your goodness to see that in You alone is all hope and a future.  Apart from You there is only eternal death.  You are the Lord of lords, be my Lord in order that I would walk in Your example, shine in Your light, and live into the hope You give.

Lord Jesus, You are not a King as the world has kings.  You have come to serve us, and ask us to do likewise.  Help me live now and always in the hope You give so that I may walk humbly in Your example.  Help me to willingly bow to You and submit to Your humble reign.  In and through all things, guide me, O Lord, in order that I would walk in Your light and life now and forever.  Amen.