Day 16- In it for the long haul
How can you make an impact in your relationships and mission?
Today’s Scripture
“The “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.†—
Philippians 1:1-11
Reflect on the Word
Every time Paul prays for the Philippians, it’s a prayer of thanks and joy. His gratefulness is because of their partnership in the gospel that remained throughout the years. Do you see? Steadfast love produces joy. The Philippians loved Paul well by partnering with him in the gospel over time. They didn’t pitch in just for a season, but they remained by his side for the long haul. We are called to this type of partnership. When you look at the relationships that have the greatest impact on others, it is the ones in which people love each other faithfully in all seasons of life
“The “Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.†—
Philippians 1:1-11
Reflect on the Word
Every time Paul prays for the Philippians, it’s a prayer of thanks and joy. His gratefulness is because of their partnership in the gospel that remained throughout the years. Do you see? Steadfast love produces joy. The Philippians loved Paul well by partnering with him in the gospel over time. They didn’t pitch in just for a season, but they remained by his side for the long haul. We are called to this type of partnership. When you look at the relationships that have the greatest impact on others, it is the ones in which people love each other faithfully in all seasons of life
The Pray of Jabez
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory!
Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.â€
And God granted His request. 1 CHRONICLES 4:10
3. Presence and Protection
As we ask for blessing and influence, we also need to ask for God's presence, as Jabez did, so that we are not operating out of our own strength, but through the presence of God. “...Let Your hand be with me...†Acknowledge your need for God’s presence.
Ask for His anointing and for him to put His hand on your life.
Finally, Jabez asks the Lord to protect him. If we are influencing the world for Jesus, we must understand that the enemy will try to stop us. God promises to be with us and protect us, and because He is with us, we have nothing to fear. “...keep me from harm...†Trust God to protect you. Tell Him specific areas where you feel the need for His protection and ask Him to cover areas that you can’t yet see.
Prayer + Contemplation
1. We need one another to accomplish God’s mission together. Make a list of those who make up the ecclesia, the embodied presence of Jesus in this world, around you.
2. Pray for Christians to long for one another with the affection of Christ Jesus.
3. Ask God to create faithful partnerships in your life like Paul had with the church of Philippi.
Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.â€
And God granted His request. 1 CHRONICLES 4:10
3. Presence and Protection
As we ask for blessing and influence, we also need to ask for God's presence, as Jabez did, so that we are not operating out of our own strength, but through the presence of God. “...Let Your hand be with me...†Acknowledge your need for God’s presence.
Ask for His anointing and for him to put His hand on your life.
Finally, Jabez asks the Lord to protect him. If we are influencing the world for Jesus, we must understand that the enemy will try to stop us. God promises to be with us and protect us, and because He is with us, we have nothing to fear. “...keep me from harm...†Trust God to protect you. Tell Him specific areas where you feel the need for His protection and ask Him to cover areas that you can’t yet see.
Prayer + Contemplation
1. We need one another to accomplish God’s mission together. Make a list of those who make up the ecclesia, the embodied presence of Jesus in this world, around you.
2. Pray for Christians to long for one another with the affection of Christ Jesus.
3. Ask God to create faithful partnerships in your life like Paul had with the church of Philippi.
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Offering PraiseDay 2- Expressing gratitude, worship His nameDay 3- Seeking His presenceDay 4- True repentanceDay 5- Transparency and trustDay 6- Walk worthyDay 7- On our kneesDay 8- He is our deliveranceDay 9- Our first callingDay 10- A solid foundationDay 11- Shelter from the stormsDay 12- Hear His voiceDay 13- The Armor of GodDay 14- No longer condemnedDay 15- Authority in prayerDay 16- In it for the long haulDay 17- Unity in loveDay 18- We are the ekklesiaDay 19- Spirit filled boldnessDay 20- Prayer WalkingDay 21- Strength to soar
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