Philippians 1:1-11

COMMENTS

I awoke this morning with a strong desire to get back in God’s Word.  After trying unsuccessfully to find a Bible study workbook on holiness that I have, I did Day 1 of one on revival.  After completing that, I still felt a hunger in my soul; so I decided that I needed to go straight to the Bible with no intermediary.  I thought I would start in Ephesians, but my Bible opened to Philippians; and it seemed like the Lord was saying “Here, read this.”  So I did.

NOTES

I am struck by the great love Paul has for the believers in Philippi.  His affection for them is great, and he has great admiration for their faithfulness to Christ.  The passage that particularly spoke to me was verses 9 – 11.  I’ve always thought that Paul’s prayer for the Philippians was a beautiful prayer, one that I’ve prayed at times for others.  But what struck me at this reading was the outcome desired when Paul prayed that their “love….abound….in knowledge and depth of insight”.  What did he desire?  That they be able to discern what is best!  (Among other things, of course; but this is the one the Spirit put on my heart.)  Interesting that love can bring forth the ability to determine what is best.  And as I go through the list—ability to discern what’s best, purity and blamelessness, being filled with the fruit of righteousness (how can one determine what’s best if he’s not righteous?)—I see that all of this comes through our Lord Jesus Christ.  But for what purpose?  To bring glory and praise to God!  Hallelujah!