Tag: Philippians 4
Missions partnership
Scripture reading for September 5: Philippians 4
“Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:14-19
Paul ended his letter to the church a Philippi by thanking them for their partnership with him in his calling of sharing the Gospel to the Gentiles. No other church had entered into this partnership with him. It was a partnership of giving and receiving. Paul was the recipient of their support to him through their representative Epaphroditus. Their gifts were a fragrant offering and a sacrifice that pleased God. These descriptive terms came from the offerings of the priests before the incense altar in the Tabernacle. As the aroma of the incense along with the blood of the sacrifice rose before the Lord, so these gifts were pleasing to God and acceptable as a sacrifice. Paul stated in faith that God would reward those giving to him with meeting their every need. This was guaranteed by Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior, seated in glory at God’s right hand.
The great commission given by Jesus to His church(Matthew 28:18-20) of going to the ends of the earth and preaching to all was being worked out practically in the church at Philippi. Paul had gone there as a missionary and preached. Souls had been saved as they received the Word. These souls had heard the call to take the Gospel to others and had partnered with a missionary, Paul, to help send him to others who needed to hear. The offerings sent to meet the needs of Paul were a fragrant offering that pleased God and helped him preach. The partnership was rewarded by God meeting needs.
Have you ever viewed your giving to missions and missionaries as a partnership? As you give, do you see your offerings as a fragrant sacrifice that pleases God? Do you believe that as you give to missions God will supply all your own needs through Christ Jesus?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing plan to reach the ends of the earth through sending Your people to preach. As I give, these Scriptures help me to see how I am partnering with other believers to fulfill Your plan of salvation. Thank You that You have and will meet all my needs through Jesus! Amen.
Learning contentment!
Scripture reading for September 6th: Philippians 4
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed of hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”
Paul was in jail in Rome and had to depend on the churches he had founded for his support. In reality, Paul knew it was Christ who provided for his needs and the needs of the church! But sometimes, he was hungry and had no food. At other times he had needs that no one met and he felt alone and suffered. But Paul shared the secret of his learning to be content with whatever circumstances he found himself in: He could do all things through Jesus Christ who gave him strength. He was not alone and in Christ he could be content knowing that “my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:18)
Observations for over-comers: The choice to rest in Christ Jesus and His strength and ability to meet every need keeps us full of joy and contentment no matter what our life-circumstance. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; . .” (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Rejoice!
Scripture reading for September 7th: Philippians 4
Although in jail himself, Paul closed his letter with encouragement to the church to live in joy and rejoicing regardless of their circumstances. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)
The church can rejoice because they are ‘in the Lord’. That alone is reason enough to rejoice. Paul believed that the Lord was near in two different ways. First, He was always present in His people and He was coming again soon for His people! This is why the church must not live in fear or anxiety! We must by prayer give all our worries to God and enjoy His peace guarding our hearts and minds.
Paul gave us two other reasons why he rejoiced and we should too. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13) Christ is our strength to face every situation! We can live by faith in His promise! “And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) God will meet all our needs because He owns all the riches of this universe! We can truly rejoice along with the Apostle and Philippians in God’s wonderful provision!