Today’s Verse: Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ~Philippians 2:12 Our American labor laws require employers to give their employees rest breaks at different intervals during the day. This encourages employees to take a walk, make a phone call to their family, eat a snack, or recalibrate themselves. In some settings, a foreman or supervisor will rem

Today’s Verse: Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9-11 Peter Forsyth said, "The first duty of every soul is to find not its freedom but its Master." Who is Jesus Christ to you? What does His na

Today’s Verse: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; ~Philippians 3:10 The Christian life is a journey of faith. We walk by faith and not by sight. Learning to walk by faith is not easy. It calls upon us to keep traveling even though we, sometimes, cannot see more than the step ahead of us. It calls upon us to keep traveling even when things look very dark and uncertain. However, we

Today’s Verse: Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me. ~Philippians 2:30 Have you ever made the statement, “This almost killed me”? We sometimes use this cliché to describe something that we participated in that required such effort that we felt completely exhausted and spent when the exercise was over. Someone who runs a very grueling and long marathon might say at the conclusion, “This almost k

Today’s Verse: But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; ~Philippians 1:12 Have you ever had an occurrence after which you made the statement, “This did not happen by accident”? After the occurrence unfolded, you came to the realization that God was orchestrating things behind the scenes to bring about your situation. Paul was imprisoned in Rome. Of all things, he was chained b

Today’s Verse: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:15 Many families take time annually to do a family portrait. By doing so, they are preserving rich memories of their family. People who look at family portraits look carefully for resemblances or non-resemblances between the children and the parents. Where there is a resemblance, the co

Today’s Verse: Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. ~Philippians 2:2-3 If you work with people to any degree, you have probably experienced conflicts. Conflicts occur when there is disagreement regarding precepts, principles, preferences, and practices. Conflicts occur when we and the people we have

Today’s Verse: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ~Philippians 4:13 When we became sons of God, we entered a relationship that assures us of enablement through the adversities, hardships, and opportunities in life. Peter describes this enablement when he said, “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3). So, Paul ma

Today’s Verse: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ~Philippians 1:21 The term “live it up” means to thoroughly enjoy your circumstance or situation. It has the idea of having the best time of your life and not wanting to trade what you are experiencing for anything else. Are you at the place in your life where you can confidently say “I’m living it up”? Paul was describing his situation. What looked bad to other people was the time of his life. What appeared to b

Today’s Verse: And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. ~Philippians 4:3 Back in the day, the corner grocery stores, dry cleaners, family-owned restaurants, and other storefront businesses would advertise for workers by putting up a “help wanted” sign. That was an invitation for someone with minimal skills to apply for a job. In ou

Today’s Verse: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; ~Philippians 2:15 Many families take time annually to do a family portrait. By doing so, they are preserving rich memories of their family. People who look at family portraits look carefully for resemblances or non-resemblances between the children and the parents. Where there is a resemblance, the co

Today’s Verse: For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. ~Philippians 1:23-24 We can sometimes come to the place in life where we have to choose between two good things. We rack our brain and soul trying to decide which is the better decision to make. Sometimes, we are faced with a decision that requires us to be in two places at one time. We sometimes fi

Today’s Verse: Do all things without murmurings and disputings: ~Philippians 2:14 Recently, my refrigerator was having temperature issues. I called the warranty company, which sent a repairman out to check it out. After his diagnosis, he ordered parts. Two follow up appointments were made for the repair, but the technician stood me up. I made numerous calls to the company to get this job done but to no satisfaction. A final complaint was given to the management of the warrant

Today’s Verse: But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. ~Philippians 4:18 The word sacrifice implies the life of a victim being offered. It is a word that is used 29 times in the New Testament, and the majority of its usage is by the Apostle Paul. Paul understood the concept and cost involved with a sacrifice. All of us have a subjective i

Today’s Verse: And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. ~Philippians 4:3 The yoke in the Bible spoke of a wooden harness that tied two oxen together for plowing. This was called an equal yoke. This implied two of the same kind doing the same thing, going in the same direction, and accomplishing the same task. Paul uses the term “yo

Today’s Verse: But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; ~Philippians 1:12 Our devotion this morning centers on how God uses what appears to be difficulties and turns them into blessings. One noted preacher, J.H. Jowett, calls Philippians 1:12-14 “The Fortune of Misfortune.” If we are not careful, we might overlook opportunities that God gives us in obstacles. This morning, let

Today’s Verse: That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; ~Philippians 1:10 Excellence is the very highest and best. It is nothing less than “perfection” in delivery, quality, workmanship, and production. It is being flawless and unblameable. Paul stated a powerful principle about our work, words, and way of life: that we are to approve only those things that are excellent. Let us see this morning the thin

Today’s Verse: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:14 One of the most powerful phrases in the Bible is our devotion for this morning: "the high calling of God." A calling is a summons to something important, noble, and vital. In many cases, we associate a calling with an occupation or our life commitment. Let us see this morning what “the high calling of God” means. There is the call to salvation. The high calling

Today’s Verse: That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; ~Philippians 1:10 As a kid, whenever I bought a hot dog from a vendor, they would ask, “With or without?” This meant: do you want your hot dog with mustard and condiments, or just plain? I like my burgers and dogs “loaded,” so I always said, “With.” However, there never failed to be a time, when other people were with me, that at least one said, “Wi

Today’s Verse: For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. ~Philippians 2:20 You are probably familiar with the phrase “great minds think alike.” It is a complimentary statement that means two or more people think in terms of the same accomplishment or action. Without discussing anything, they are alike in their thought process. Paul was concerned about having the right person represent him at Philippi. The only man who was likeminded to him was Timo