September 23, 2024
As we go on a journey to lean into JOY, we are going to read through a book of the Bible a few verses at a time. Philippians is found in the New Testament and was written by Paul, a key leader in the early days of the church, while he was under house arrest in Rome for preaching the good news about Jesus.
Read the very first words from Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi:
“This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and deacons.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:1-6
Paul starts by greeting them, and as he writes, he leads with gratitude, affection, and confidence. His joy and hope are strong!
- What words or phrases stand out to you from these verses?
- Take a moment to sit quietly with God and talk to him about what you notice.
Practice: Think about one person who always makes you feel grateful. Write down his or her name and a short reason that explains your gratitude. Then, sometime today, send this person a short note and express your gratitude to them.