Jesus is all I need…

How good to read a Bible book in one sitting. God gives me a big picture look, yet this one is filled with sparkling highlights. I am blessed by the author’s attitude as Paul wrote it from prison. First, he gives great assurance:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) 

Then he shows me how to think about today’s TV evangelists that are so obviously preaching with personal motives:

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, (1:12–18)

God keeps speaking to me though, about the same thing: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:3–4)

He wants me to be like Timothy who is “genuinely concerned” for the welfare of others. He also wants me to “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” and consider any of it as “rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own.” I’m to be willing to “share His sufferings” knowing that He will rescue me, even from death.(3:7–11)

I can’t ever think I’ve arrived, put must press on (3:12–14) rejoicing in the Lord as I live for Him. He is with me so I need not get anxious about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus." (4:4–7)

He tells me how to think so I’m at peace, and teaches me how to respond when brought low or abound, to face plenty or hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me because my God will supply every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (4:8-19)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I sit here in worship, filled with joy and peace. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25–26)

LATER: Today, our granddaughter was able to get up from her hospital bed and walk around it — first time since her terrible fall two months ago! She still has a cast and a brace on her arms, and her exploded knee is tightly wrapped, but we are elated at God’s blessing on her and the good healing of her other leg.