Day 36

Read Philippians 1:3-5 

“3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”

Philippians is known as the book of joy. This seems counterintuitive because the letter was written by Paul while he was in prison. Nevertheless, as you see in these verses, Paul was full of joy and thanksgiving toward God for the Philippian church. Why was Paul so thankful for this church? It was because of their faithfulness to the Gospel. (The Gospel is the good news of Jesus death, burial and resurrection).  Paul had entrusted them with the gospel and explained to them that it was not meant to stop with them. The church faithfully shared the gospel once Paul left them. In the same way, the gospel is not meant to stop with us. We have been entrusted with great news that needs to be shared! If we are faithful in sharing the good news, then we too can find and help others find the joy that only Jesus brings! 

Have you recently shared the gospel? Have you ever shared the gospel? If not, I encourage you to do so! If you are a Jesus follower, the Gospel cannot end with you.  It not only brings joy to other Jesus followers, it brings glory to God! 

Day 27

Read 1 Peter 4:10-11

10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

In this passage, the gift that is received is grace from God. Every Jesus follower has received God’s grace because of what Jesus did on the cross. This looks different in each persons life and we should not take this gift lightly. In fact, Peter explains that we should be good stewards of God’s grace by serving one another. How do we serve? We serve by using our God given  talents, skills, and passions to help, encourage, and build up other Jesus followers. If you are a teacher, teach for the Lord! If you are a business man, work for the Lord! 1 Corinthians 10:31 says “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” God has made you who you are, use everything for Him and for his Church! At the end of the day, we owe everything to God so our everything should be God’s! 

How has God created you to help serve other believers? Are you using your talents, skills, and passions for God’s glory? 

Spend some time in prayer thanking God for his grace and asking him to help you better use who you are for him!