Nate's Daily Devotionals (old)

v12) Paul admits that he is not perfect even as he commits to a life of servitude - shows what true humility is  Paul reminds us that we are God's children and that he adopts us and therefore owns us v13-14) Paul describes his walk with Christ as him "straining forward" We are to expect this walk with Christ to be difficult However we forget what lies behind because Christ has already redeemed and saved us from it We continue to press on to the goal that is the upward call of Christ v16) We should hold true and fast to what we have attained That is, God's word and his salvation through Jesus v17-18) We should imitate Paul and his walk and faith in Christ we should also look towards those who walk faithfully (brothers and sisters) v19) For enemies of Christ, the end is destruction - no matter how much joy they have while on this earth Their god is their own fleshly desires and they set their mind on earthly things v20-21) But our citizenship is in heaven We are in this

v2-3) Look out for the evildoers who mean us harm We worship the Spirit of God and all glory and confidence goes to him  and not to the flesh v7-8) Paul counts all gain as loss for the sake of Christ All the worldly things (fleshly things) that he has gained he counts as nothing when compared to Christ In fact, he regards knowing Christ as the most important thing in this world - more than anything this world could offer All the things that Paul endures is for Christ More importantly, all the things he has given up in this life because of Christ he counts as nothing compared to knowing and gaining salvation through Christ v9) We don't have righteousness through ourselves and through what we do in the law No, instead we have righteous that comes through faith in Christ Righteousness depends on faith not on works v10-11) Paul welcomes suffering - knowing the power that Christ holds over death through the resurrection That by any means necessary he w

v20) Paul describes Timothy as someone who is 'genuinely concerned for your welfare' Am I concerned with the welfare of my brothers and sisters - and more importantly, is it a genuine concern or just one that is self seeking? v21) Paul shows that we will encounter people (even Christians) who are self-seeking and that their concern will not be for your soul but so that they can profit v25-26) Paul describes what a disciple might look like Specifically - a worker, soldier, messenger and minister Epaphroditus is "longing for you all" - the language is one of genuine concern, much like what was mentioned in v20 v28) God uses our brothers and sisters to allow us to rejoice in God and his power and what he is able to accomplish Indeed it even makes Paul "less anxious" v29-30) We are to receive our brothers and sisters "with joy" and to honour such faithful men For it is the work of Christ that has allowed them to be so

v12) Paul encourages us to continue to 'work out our own salvation' with fear and trembling This fear is more of an awe for God and his power It brings comfort that we have an all-powerful  creator who cares and loves us unconditionally This should also motivate me to trust him  v14) Paul reminds us not to grumble or dispute when we work for the Lord It is a privilege and great opportunity when we are working for God's glory and kingdom We should not spoil it with bitterness or discontentment v15) As such, we will stand out when we adopt and transform our hearts in this way We stand out and 'shine as lights in the world' because this is not what the world tells us to do v16) Paul gives us a way to deal with those times - namely, he tells us to hold fast to the Word When we do so, it means that God will comfort and be there for us when we do go through difficulties Paul is comforted knowing that all his labours will be worth it on the d

v3) Paul commands us to do nothing from selfish ambition Selfish ambition is anything that isn't for Christ Count others more significant than ourselves However sometimes even when I do things for others, it's actually for myself cus i expect something back v4) Look at the interest of others What can I do to help others and their interests v5-6) Paul gives us a model to look to when we aren't sure what humility looks like -Jesus A man who emptied himself and became a servant despite being God himself v8) Christ humbled himself by becoming obedient  Paul is telling us what true humility is - obedience to God and his will v9) We gain great riches by obeying God It might not be riches on earth, but we will be exalted when we go to heaven and worship God v10-11) God exalted Christ so that we might bow down and praise him Everything is to the glory of God Application: True humility is obedience to God Paul tells us that the model for humility is Christ

v7)  We are all partakers of Christ with Paul We share in the same gospel as all our brothers and sisters v9-11) Our love for God and devotion to him should make us more pure and blameless This leads to being filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ v18) Paul is in prison, yet he still says - "yes and I will rejoice" How can Paul still be happy even in physical discomfort like this? Am I rejoicing even at times in a worldly sense, I have no reason to be rejoicing? v19) Paul reveals why he's rejoicing Through prayers and the holy spirit, Paul trusts that God will deliver him from this pain in a way that will be best for Paul v20-21) Paul expects and hopes with full courage that in any situation, Christ be honoured through him - regardless of whether he lives or not To live is Christ and to die is gain v24) Paul would rather die because it means he would be with Christ However he knows that to remain alive is

v7) We have all been given a portion of grace - it is a gift Some of it may be 'common' grace - something that we're all given, namely the salvation of our souls through Christ Some grace can be seen as 'special' grace - something that is individual, it usually refers to our special callings and talents that God has blessed us with v8-9) Jesus ascended - this means that he mustve descended first God, who was so mighty and powerful, would come down to earth to live with his sinful, dirty and worthless humans such as myself God is one of love of mercy as well as humility - as shown through Jesus in the form of a man v11-13) Paul is telling us what God blesses us with and what it is for - namely, it is so that the body of Christ may be built up The end goal is: Unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God We are to strive to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ v14-16) When we are rooted in Christ like this, we wo

v22) We must cast our 'cares' or worries on the Lord However, the result isn't that God will take them away or take away the troubles, the word that is used is sustains This means God will provide us with the strength to handle them v23) "But as for me, I trust in you" In moments where we don't know what will happen - we need to trust in God, and not in ourselves Application: We should look to our Saviour, who suffered betrayal and rejection patiently and prayerfully  in order to save us - hence we must endure hardship patiently, trusting in him Cast my worries on Him, and let Him sustain me through it - not rely on my own strength Prayer: Lord, I worry so often because I'm too proud to admit that you know better for me than myself. Teach me to cast my burdens not on my own strength, but on you - leaving them in your all-powerful hands and wisdom. Amen

How do I react when extraordinary pain or stress comes my way? David prays (v17) In fact, he prays 3 times a day, showing his dedication and the need to pray When we call to God, he will save us (v16) God hears our prayers and is a God that will never change (v18) Applications: Stop thinking that I am the one who can get through the struggles and difficulties of life - instead pray and trust that God's strength will carry me through Trust that God will hear my prayers and answer them in a way that is most beneficial for me and his glory (not necessarily what I want) Prayer: Lord, I lean on my own strength too often. I think that I am in control and that my own will and discipline will be able to make things okay. Although it may seem like I have it under control, Lord would you change my heart to realise that it is actually you who is in control. It is you who has ultimate authority and you who has the best plan for me. Lord remind me daily that my pan is never t