Day THREE 

BEGIN

Pray to experience joy in Christ through our theme verse:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Review the memory verse for the week:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

READ

Read and meditate on this passage today: Philippians 1:12-30

Look for what you learn about God and listen for what the Spirit is saying to you through the Word of God.  Notice the reasons Paul gives for rejoicing in spite of conflict. What’s Paul’s reason to live?

Philippians 1:12–30

Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

¹⁵ It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. ¹⁶ The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. ¹⁷ The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. ¹⁸ But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, ¹⁹ for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  ²⁰ I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. ²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. ²² If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! ²³ I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; ²⁴ but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Read verse 25 again. How is verse 21 connected to verse 25? Imagine verse 25 being your life purpose. How do you think Paul can be joyful when people oppose him and he is suffering and has struggles?

PRAY

As the Spirit leads, let these themes guide you in your prayer today:

• Praise God that the gospel of Jesus Christ is being communicated.
• Confess any envy, rivalry, or selfish ambition God is bringing to your mind.
• Pray that God will give you the grace to live for Christ alone.
• Pray that you will live for other’s progress and joy in the faith.

JOURNAL

What are you learning about yourself and the purpose of life as you seek to experience joy in Christ?

What do you sense God is saying to you through this passage?

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SHARE

Talk with your prayer partner about what you are learning, how you are growing to experience more joy in Christ. Pray together.