Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.
Psalm 33:18-22
Thoughts about Psalm 33……………………………
God is our help. He is our sustainer, provider, and shield. Even when things go wrong, he guards, guides, and protects. We need “God our help” each day. Cling to Him and serve Him dear Christian.
God is holy. We can trust in His holy name always. I don’t know what battles you are facing this week. I do know that you can trust in God’s holy name. We should trust and rejoice because we know who is in control.
God is loving. His lovingkindness endures to His people. Paul tells that even when we are faithless, God is faithful. (2 Timothy 2:13) We can rest in Christ, put our hope in Christ, and serve all of our days because of His faithful lovingkindness.
It is so true. When Christ is all you have, you truly understand He is all you need!
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:8-11
The course of this study will focus on verse 10. Paul commits to three precepts in this verse that are still applicable to Christians in the present day. Let us be challenged and blessed by this Scripture.
Paul’s first pursuit was to know the resurrection power of Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is the central event in all of history. When the Savior rose from the dead, hope was realized, God was exalted, and everything changed. Paul had a deep desire to know and experience a relationship with the risen Savior. May we pursue that type of relationship with Christ through His Word, His Church, His presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle’s second commitment was knowing Christ’s sufferings. He wanted to understand and experience something of what Jesus endured on behalf of sinful humanity. Paul suffered much during his ministry and probably understood better than most what Christ endured though no one can fully comprehend the Savior’s suffering.
Christians today may not be called to suffer to the same extent. Yet, we know that the way of the cross can be difficult, painful, and lonely. However, we always know that in the midst of the pain and heartache Christ is with us. Let us know Christ not simply in the good but also in the sorrowful.
Paul’s last task was to be conformed to Christ’s death. The Apostle committed to living in the reality of Jesus’ forgiveness and mercy. The past was under the blood and Paul was moving forward in the full salvation that he had received.
The same goal ought to be apparent in the lives of Believers today. We have been saved, forgiven, redeemed, and sanctified. Let us not go backwards into the life we once had. Go forward, Child of God, in full assurance of your forgiveness and redemption through the blood of the Savior. (Ephesians 1:7)
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
God’s Love is Patient—V. 4
“Love suffers long and is kind”
God’s Love is Humble—V. 4
“love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up”
God’s Love is Unselfish—V. 5
“does not behave rudely, does not seek its own own”
God’s Love Pardons—V. 5-6
“is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth”
God’s Love is Protective—V. 7
“bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Let us give thanks, glory, and praise for the Love of God!
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11
Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 2:16 that Christians have been given the “mind of Christ.” He takes that principle further by instructing Believers to live in that reality in Philippians 2. “Let this mind be in you” is the command given to God’s people. Let us examine three precepts about Jesus life that He demonstrated for us. And may we pursue the mind of Jesus in our own lives as well.
First, Jesus was willing to serve. Christ served by teaching, healing, and loving the outcasts. Then, He took upon Himself the posture of a servant and completed His earthly ministry dying as a common criminal for the sin of humanity. He served the people of the world by giving up His life for them. Greater love cannot be shown. (John 15:13)
The Savior also humbled Himself. Christ left behind the glory that is rightfully His as the Son of God and took upon Himself human flesh. He humbled Himself and condescended to this planet so that those who believe might be saved. He lived for our righteousness so that we might be made righteous through His life. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Finally, the Son of God fulfilled the will of His Father. Even though Jesus is co-equal with the Father, nevertheless, He was obedient unto death for our salvation. Jesus is our example of obedience and we ought to follow that trajectory in our lives as well.
One day the entire world will acknowledge Jesus as Lord. There is coming time in which every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess the lordship of Christ. Christian, let us acknowledge the glory and lordship of the Savior every single day. It is the least that we can do.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, to deliver their soul from death and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart rejoices in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.
Psalm 33:18-22
Thoughts about Psalm 33……………………………
God is our help. He is our sustainer, provider, and shield. Even when things go wrong, he guards, guides, and protects. We need “God our help” each day. Cling to Him and serve Him dear Christian.
God is holy. We can trust in His holy name always. I don’t know what battles you are facing this week. I do know that you can trust in God’s holy name. We should trust and rejoice because we know who is in control.
God is loving. His lovingkindness endures to His people. Paul tells that even when we are faithless, God is faithful. (2 Timothy 2:13) We can rest in Christ, put our hope in Christ, and serve all of our days because of His faithful lovingkindness.
It is so true. When Christ is all you have, you truly understand He is all you need!
12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
Philippians 1:14-26
In this passage, Paul is thankful for the preaching of the gospel. The Apostle is thankful and grateful for gospel proclamation no matter the motivation of the preacher. We ought to be thankful as well.
Let us pray for the preaching and teaching of the gospel message. May Christ’s life, death, and resurrection be trumpeted from the rooftops until everyone has heard the good news. Three prayer requests for the preaching and teaching of the Bible shall end this post.
1) Christian, let us pray that Jesus will be preached faithfully. We pray that the pulpits of God’s church will resound with truth week after week as the people of God gather and worship. We pray that the preaching and teaching of the church will be faithful to the Scriptures and faithful to the truth of God’s Word.
2) Believer, may we pray that Jesus will be preached powerfully. Nothing should overshadow the proclamation of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul tell us in 1 Corinthians 1:18, For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. May God’s power rest upon all who announce the good news to every sinner.
3) Child of God, we ought to pray that Jesus will be preached purposefully. Paul said He sought to preach nothing but Christ and Christ crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) May Jesus be lifted up deliberately by His people so that all sinners can be drawn unto Him. (John 12:32)
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace .8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment ,10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousnesswhich are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:6-11
Christians are also called to grow in sanctification. God began a good work in every Christian when He saved them and reconciled them through Christ Jesus. This fact led Paul to grow in love for the people of the Philippian church as He saw their spiritual growth and maturity.
God is working in us and through us to make us more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit is using our churches, the Bible, our circumstances, and many things unseen to grow us and mature us. Our love for Christ and our love for others advances as we grow up into the fullness of Spiritual adulthood.
Ultimately, Paul instructs believers to be Spirit-filled. The Spirit of God lives in us and we belong to Him. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Therefore, God’s people should be pursuing growth in love, in wisdom, and in Christlikeness each and every day.
We Christians can have joy no matter our circumstances. Christ is with us and will never leave us. We have the precious promises of God. If Paul can learn contentment in prison, we can apprehend contentment in our lives as well!
Adoption is a beautiful theological concept in Christianity. It is said that those who are saved are adopted into the family of God. All the rights and privileges of becoming a child of God are bestowed upon those who believe in Christ.
Let us take a moment and see what we those privileges are as they are revealed in Scripture. Our status changes when we are placed in God’s family. And the change is wonderful and marvelous.
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” Romans 8:15
Believers are released from the hopelessness of sin in adoption. This release allows us closeness with God as we now relate to Him as our heavenly father. We can grow and mature into full son-ship and daughter-ship as result of our adoption.
But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5
Adoption allows us to be freed from the bondage of the law. We now have liberty to seek to please God as a result of our salvation and not to try to earn our salvation. We are placed in His family and all the encumbrances of past life are washed away.
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Galatians 4:6
Closeness with God is a wonderful and powerful result of adoption. Where once we were far from Him, we now have closeness with God through Christ Jesus. We have the ability to address Him as Father in the same way an earthly child calls out for his/her Daddy! What wonderful thought—we are no longer an outcast, we have closeness with God.
We should give thanks for our adoption. We didn’t deserve it. But we ought to be thankful that our heavenly Father has placed us into His family forevermore.
1Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.
Philippians 1:1-5
The book of Philippians was written by Paul the Apostle around 61-63 AD. Paul seemed to have a very close and cordial relationship with the church at Philippi. We believe this letter was written while the Apostle was in prison. In light of that fact, the epistle encourages Christians to be thankful, sanctified, and Holy Spirit-filled no matter the circumstances one may face. Paul showed these characteristics even while in prison. God’s people can do the same as they live in hostile environments.
Paul first instructs Christians to be thankful. He does this by citing His example of thanksgiving for them. Paul prays for them with joy and gives thanks for their fellowship in the gospel work.
Let God’s people be thankful for all that God has done for us. Let us be thankful for those whom the Lord has placed in our lives. And may we show gratitude for the church where we worship and serve.
mrtonyfrench 