“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).

Many have heard this Scripture.  Few realize the truth of this.  This world is filled with turmoil.  We struggle against principalities and forces.  Life is in Christ, for He is the author and finisher of our faith.  Apart from Him, we can do nothing.  If you hear nothing else, hear this: the absolute centrality of Christ.  This is not said lightly, but it is the truth.  Live in, for, and with Christ!

Lord, I often take my faith too lightly.  I do not act as if You are above all things, but You are.  Lead me away from being so trivial and into a life that knows You are central to all things.  Guide me according to Your principles to live for You knowing that the day is shortly coming when I shall be with You in eternity.  Guide me always along the way so that where You are, there I too shall be also.

Lord Jesus, You are the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father apart from You.  Guide me, Lord, to live into this life You have made possible for me through grace.  Let me not be afraid of death, for it is before us all, but knowing that You have already overcome death and that when that day comes, I shall stand before You face to face.  Guide me, Lord, in Your goodness to live for You as You have died for me.  Amen.

Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:19-20).

We humans worry about what the future will bring.  The future is not in our hands.  Sinners are in the world and they bring bad things into this world.  God brings grace and mercy.  The two will play against each other until the end of the age.  What then?  Only this: look to the Lord knowing that all things are in His hands.  Rejoice always in the Lord and live in His promise.

Lord teach me the simplicity of loving and living in Your presence and will.  Guide me away from fretting over things I can do nothing about, and help me to live into the hope You give through grace.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may now and always humbly abide in You and You in me.  Keep me close to You, knowing that all things, time included, are in Your hands.  Then lead me to live as one who is always in Your presence.

Lord Jesus, You have given us the example of how to live.  You knew You would die.  Unlike us, You knew where and how.  But You pressed on.  Lead me to learn how to press on so that I may live the life You have called me to live.  Guide me in Your goodness to know that in You alone is all hope and the only future worth living.  Let me be afraid of nothing because I know You are with me and for me.  Amen.

“What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice” (Philippians 1:18)

You see, it does not matter so much how Christ is proclaimed, only that He is proclaimed.  The Lord is Lord of all and He will show Himself to all so that they may have a chance to live into the promise given by grace.  We have our systems, but never mistake what we do as the thing itself.  The Lord knows all that is needed and will give grace and mercy to those to whom He will give it.

When you encounter another who thinks these things unfair, you are hearing the rebellion of this age which is really saying, “Do things my way.”  There is only One who is Lord and Master.  Proclaim this truth in love through all you do.  Be guided not by vain ambition, but by the goodness and mercy of our Savior.  He alone accomplished our salvation and in Him alone do we have true hope.

Lord Jesus, this world is filled with conflicting ideas.  Guide me, O Lord, to live into the life You have given me so that I may now and always be guided by You and the good Gospel you have proclaimed through Your life, death, resurrection, and ascension.  Lead me always in the way of truth so that no matter how Your name is proclaimed, I may rejoice that You are being made known.  Amen.

“The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment” (Philippians 1:16-17).

The behavior of people has been the same over the ages.  Some see living in this world as a conflict and battle.  Others are constantly seeking for gain.  The Gospel comes and many do not know what to do with it.  God loves you and has prepared the way for you to join with Him in eternity.  Some will move along this path for their own reasons, but the Lord knows our hearts.  Why are you reading these words?

Ultimately it boils down to the words, “Thy will be done.”  Either it will be us saying to the Lord, “Thy will be done,” or else the Lord saying to us, “Thy will be done.”  No matter what anyone says, this is the final destination.  Where will you be?  Who is going to rule your heart?  Will it be you or will it be the Lord.  You cannot serve two masters.  This has always been the question before us.

Lord Jesus, grant that I would accept Your grace and live into the life You give me through that grace.  Lead me to stop the rebellion that is in me so that I may live into the life You give.  Guide me today and every day in order that I may now and always live for You and the kingdom You give.  Lead me to have pure motives and seek the Father’s will in and through all the things I do.  Amen.

“Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will” (Philippians 1:15)

You and I do not know what is in the heart of another.  This is why the Lord reserves judgement for Himself.  Only He who knows the heart can rightly judge.  We are allowed to judge based upon what we see, but always with the goal of restoration of the wandering brother or sister.  Above all of this, Christ is proclaimed.  Come then and join in the proclamation of Christ.

Lord, You have a reason for everything, even the bad press You often get.  There are preachers and teachers who are driven by self-motivation, but You use all things to bring together Your purpose in this world.  Lead me, O Lord, so that I may be a help to You and proclaim with a pure motive, Your truth.  Lead me Lord to have the right attitude and heart in all things.

Come Holy Spirit and sift my heart so that I may have the envy and strife removed from my heart.  Guide me according to Your purpose to live into the hope which is mine in You that I may be guided by You and not by the fears inflicted by this world.  Let me be one who is of good will so that I may live a life that proclaims Your presence and purpose.  May I be a faithful witness of Your grace now and always.  Amen.

“And that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear” (Philippians 1:14).

When we are willing to step out in our faith, we become an encouragement to others.  Being bold is not just about not being afraid, but about stepping beyond our fears to speak and do what is right.  The Lord will lead us where we need to go.  The Lord will give us the strength we need.  Be courageous, be bold, and walk with the Lord so that He may empower You to live His Gospel.

Lord, You call each of us through our baptism to become as You intend and as You showed us how throughout Your Incarnation.  Guide me, Lord, to walk in faith and live boldly for You.  Help me when I doubt and help me to see how much I am encouraged by others in order that I may become an encouragement to others as well.  You, Lord, have called me into a new life amidst a hostile world.  Lead me in the way I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You have come into this world so that all who follow You would have the opportunity to become as You are: a willing and obedient child of God.  Lead me where I need to go this day and help me through all of the obstacles that will come my way so that I may be bold in the proclamation of my faith.  Help me now and always to overcome my fears so that I would never deny You, my Lord.  Amen.

“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else” (Philippians 1:12-13)

No matter what happens in this life, God has promised to bring it together for good for those who love Him.  He has prepared the way and knows all that is needed.  We will either follow Him wherever He leads, or else continue in the way we are going in the rebellion against the Lord.  Live your life in such a way that it is clear whom you are following so that others may see the hope within you.

Lord, guide me into the righteousness You give knowing that only in You is there hope and a future.  Lead me according to Your goodness to see that in You is the hope of every generation.  May the Gospel be spread through me as it has been through the faithful over the ages.  May I learn to be used by the goodness of the Gospel which is in me for the sake of Your kingdom.

Come Holy Spirit and use me to share the Gospel with others so that they too may live into the true and eternal life You give.  Guide me according to Your goodness in order that I may now and always look to You above all things.  In You is hope and a future.  Lead me in that hope to see that You have given the words of eternal life and that in You I will live into the promised eternal life which comes through steadfast faith by Your grace.  Amen.

“So that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:10-11).

How do you spend your time?  What gains your attention?  Are you one who is living into this life of faith you have been given in Christ, or are you living for gain in the world.  We all have those things which distract us, but work to be filled with God’s Spirit, doing that which will bear fruit.  All of this can be and is done through Christ alone, who is our hope and strength, for He alone can and does provide the grace we need.

Lord, this world has so many distractions.  We are busy and constantly on the move.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may now and always walk humbly with You, learning to live the life You give me in Christ.  Help me to know what righteousness is in order that I may be fertile soil, ready to show the fruit You are growing in me.  Lead me Lord and give me a heart to follow You now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have said that only if we abide in You and You in us can we bear fruit.  Lead me now and always to bear the kind of fruit You have been planting through my life.  Lead me into righteousness.  I do not fully know what this is, but You do.  Lead me so that I may go from where I am to where I need to be.  You are my Savior and You must lead.  Lead me now and always.  Amen.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9)

Real knowledge and discernment is offered.  How many settle for what this world gives.  This world repeats the same garbage with different wrappings.  The Lord offers truth and eternity.  Come then and live into the reality which is given you through Christ.  Know that in Him is all life and truth.  Ask for discernment and the Lord will grant you His wisdom and knowledge.

Lord, teach me so that I may know truth.  You are truth and all that is or ever will be comes from You.  Humble me and bring me into Your presence in order that I may know You and all that You offer.  Let me not be swayed by this world, but transformed through the renewing of my mind so that I may live always in Your presence, purpose, and power.  Guide me, Lord, now and forever.

Lord Jesus, You have the words of eternal life.  Help me to not become tripped up by the garbage of this world, but live into the truth You have revealed once for all.  You are truth and You have revealed truth through Your death and resurrection.  Guide me, O Lord, so that I may now and always abide in You and You in me as You create in me a clean and new heart.  May I always be found in Your presence and the Father’s purpose.  Amen.

“For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:8)

Do you long for the saints and want to be united with them?  Are you tied to the world or to the saints?  Come into the presence of the Lord and know His goodness and mercy.  Come into the presence of the saints and know the encouragement and the strengthening that comes through fellowship.  Live into the life which is yours in Christ and show the affection He has given you by giving that affection to others.

Lord, the good infection of Your love, grace, and mercy is mine through You.  Lead me to let loose Your love in my life so that I would see others as a part of my heavenly family.  Let me not be hindered by sin, or other selfish behavior, but freed to live into this life for which You have called me.  Guide me by Your grace to look to You and be encouraged by those whom You send to surround me.

Dear Jesus, You have come to set the captives free.  You have come so that we who have new life, might have that life in You.  You, the author and finisher of faith, give faith to those who will become faithful.  Let me not buy the lie of the wicked one and think that I do not need fellowship.  Instead, richly invest me in the fellowship You have given me so that I might grow in You.  Amen.