“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.

“For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me” (Philippians 1:7).

We each have our part in the unfolding drama of salvation which the Lord has accomplished on our behalf.  Come then and rejoice in the gift you have been given, living your part.  We are those who have relinquished our selfish will so that the will of the Father would be done in us.  We are the ones who are living in the hope of the Gospel because of what Christ has accomplished for all who believe.

Lord, You have laid before us the truth of the ages.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always be guided by You with Your guidance.  Confirm in me the Gospel in order that I would be willing travel any distance and bear any difficulty knowing that I too am now in adversity to this world which hates You.  Help me to be reconciled with You and not the world.

Lord Jesus, all that is needed You have already provided.  Lead me this day and help me to walk faithfully with You.  Let me care for others as You have cared for me.  Guide me in the way of the Gospel truth and help me to hold fast to all that You have revealed.  In You, Lord, is all hope and an eternal future.  Keep me abiding richly in You so that Your Gospel may radiate from me.  Amen.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

The promise of the Lord is more sure than the dirt under your feet.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but the Word of the Lord is forever.  He will perfect all who come into the gift of salvation.  And what is perfection?  To be complete as He is complete.  To be one as He is One.  To be whom He has made you to be.  This is the good work of the salvation He gives and is accomplishing.

Lord, You will not stop until the work is complete.  Lead me, Lord, along the journey of this salvation as You see it needs to be led.  Let me not resist the work You are doing but join in and be led by Your Spirit to walk each day according to Your leading.  Let me not hinder my walk by rebellion, but willingly submit to You in all things knowing that You alone are able to complete all that needs to be done.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may be in You and You in us. Guide me this day in the way You have shown me in order that I may learn and grow according to Your perfect plan.  Grant that I would be content in all things knowing that in You alone is hope and a future. Lead me Lord so that I may be led rightly and help me now and always to remain in You as You are always in me.  May I willingly follow Your lead this day.  Amen.

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now” (Philippians 1:3-5).

Are you thankful for those with whom the Lord has placed you?  Be thankful and do not wish away the life you have been given.  You have been placed in the circumstances you are in for God’s will to be done.  In all things rejoice and give thanks.  The Lord, who has given you the power to become His child, has made all this possible.  Give thanks from now on for all His benefits.

Lord, teach me to have a thankful heart.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth, living in the light of your countenance with every breath You give me.  Bring to remembrance all the good things You have taught me so that I may put into practice what is right and good.  Lead me, O Lord, now and always in the way You know I need to go so that I may work with You in accomplishing Your will in my life.  Teach me to be a person of prayer.

Lord Jesus, You have guided me thus far.  Continue to strengthen me in this faith You have given me so that I may now and always be guided by You and the promises You have given me through grace.  Lead me this day to remember and give thanks.  Guide me this day to love others as You love me.  Lead me this day to go where You send me, doing what is pleasing in the Father’s sight.  Amen.

“Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:1-2).

Grace and peace from God our Father.  What does this mean?  God our Father?  Be comforted in the hope which is yours.  God has shown up and given us power to become His children through the grace He purchased on the cross.  We are then united as servants, no, slaves, for we need His direction to live into the glorious hope which is ours through Christ.  He has done this!  What joy and peace this brings to those who believe in Him.

Lord, let me see through the noise and confusion of this age to understand the great offer You have given me.  You have given up Your life so that I may adopt it as my own.  You have been raised from the dead so that I may be raised from the dead.  You, who are the only begotten Son, have given me the ability to be a child of the Heavenly Father.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of truth.

Lord Jesus, You have come in order that we may have true life.  Help me this day to understand that only in You can we, and will we, become what has always been intended.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always abide in You and You in me.  Lead me by Your Spirit to become what You know I will be and keep my eye always on the prize.  Through You alone is there an abundance of hope!  Amen.

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love” (Ephesians 6:23-24).

Listen to this benediction.  Peace and love with faith be with you.  What is it we should desire?  Is it not these things?  Why do I spend so much time on things that do not matter and so little time on what my heart truly desires?   Do not grieve the Holy Spirit. Come into the presence of the Lord and live in His peace and love.  Share the light of this truth with all whom you meet.

God has given us life.  God has shown us how that life is to be lived.  Will you follow the Lord’s lead and live into the life you have been granted through grace?  This is the proposition of the faith.  You can live for yourself or you can live the life for which you were created.  In that you have the freedom to chose.  Choose the better portion and live life as it is meant to be lived.

Lord, teach me Your way so that I would live with grace, loving my neighbor.  You have come as the example of the godly life, giving Your life so that we may live.  You have come to be the expression of love in a world filled with rebellion.  By Your example, help me now and always to live into the hope which is mine through the salvation You give.  Amen.

“I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts” (Ephesians 6:22).

The Lord sends those who will instruct you and comfort you in His ways.  Do you listen to them?  So often, we are busy and distracted and do not listen to what the Lord would have us hear.  Repent of your closed ears and be willing to listen as the Lord speaks to you each day.  Be willing to receive what the Lord gives you, knowing that in Him is all hope and eternity.  Listen to the words of everlasting life.

Lord, I live in a world that is filled with noise.  So many have opinions about this, that, and the other thing.  Guide me, Lord, to live into the faith You have given me.  Help me see that only in You is there true hope.  Open my ears to hear and my eyes to see so that I would understand more fully this gift of new life You have given and the promise of eternal life that You have made.  Help me listen to You today!

Lord Jesus, You have the words of everlasting life.  To whom else can we go?  Yet I am distracted all day long and do not listen as You speak.  Kill the old Adam and raise the new person You spoke into being so that I may put into practice those things which lead into the life You give through faith.  Let me receive and give comfort in and through You and the way of grace You give.  Amen.

“But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you” (Ephesians 6:21).

We share with one another as we are able.  The Lord has shared what we need to know.  We have not yet received everything, but this we know: He who created us has also made possible our redemption.  The redeemed are seeking truth.  You have the words of eternal life.  Let us come then and be encouraged by those whom the Lord sends.  Listen and learn.  Know that in the Lord You will become whom He is making you to be.  He who created you has great plans to prosper you and keep you from evil.

Lord, You must be Lord and I must submit.  I am often struggling with this because although I know You are Lord, I always seem to want to inject my opinion in almost every matter.  Help me to learn how to sit back and listen.  Help me learn how to take directions.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of true life so that I may walk according to Your guidance and not according to my self-directed way of living.

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me and prepare me to go out.  Let me not be concerned with myself; but help me to lose myself in You.  Through all things, strengthen me in this faith that You have given me and continue to conform me to the image of Christ.  Lead me, O Lord, and teach me to follow.  You have already given me all that I need.  Help me see and put these things together so that I may become complete as You are complete.  Amen.