Page 3 - Living Light - A Message of Joy!

THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Ian Moore and are based on Philippians 1:3-11 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Psalm 111
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s
grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.
Sunday November 26 - The grace of thankfulness I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3
Our Philippian journey begins by considering the wonderful grace of thankfulness. Take a moment to recall the most thankful person you have known. I am sure that person has been a great encouragement to you. Paul’s thankfulness, expressed in prayer, was not for an individual but for a church – the first in Europe, founded 13 years earlier during Paul’s second missionary trip. No doubt he recalled the events of Acts 16 – not so much the flogging and imprisonment, but the generosity, joy and hospitality of Lydia and the Philippian jailer’s family. Around this core, a thriving Christian community was established.
Uniquely, this letter is not written in response to a crisis or the need for correction; instead, Paul wrote simply to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers. More than any other church, they had offered Paul material support in his times of need (Philippians 4:15-18). Furthermore, the church sent Epaphroditus, charged to care for Paul’s needs while he was imprisoned (Philippians 2:25).
Gratitude is the appropriate response to God’s grace. The Bible makes it clear – Christians should be thankful in all situations (1 Thessalonians 5:18); for God’s enduring mercy (Psalm 107:1); for his steadfast love (1 Chronicles 16:34); not once only but constantly (Ephesians 5:20)... Therefore, let’s make it our habit, starting today, to do just that, both in prayer and in person!
Father, forgive me; my prayers are not always thankful. May my life be appreciative, evidenced by overflowing kindness and grace. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY