Tag: Joy

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 9, 2014

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Today’s Bible reading is Colossians chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

We learn a lot about a person by what makes them happy. Paul was most happy when the Gospel was being preached, and people were being saved, and the church was being blessed. Paul was a happy person because Paul was a thankful person. He said, “We give thanks to God… since we heard of your faith, and of the love which you have to all the saints.” (Colossians 1:4) Faith in Christ results in love for saints. Paul heard about the church at Colossae and he was was thankful for their faith and their love. He was also thankful for their hope. He said, “For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel.” (Colossians 1:5) Paul was happy because the Gospel was being preached and it was bringing forth fruit. His thankfulness led him to pray for the spiritual growth and development of the church at Colossae. What makes you happy? Is your joy and gratitude wrapped up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Paul said, “Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:12-14 NKJV)

Prayer: “Dear Father in heaven, help us to love what You love and despise what You despise. May whatever rejoices Your heart rejoice ours as well. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 8, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Philippians chapter 4

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

The word “joy” or”rejoicing” appears at least sixteen times in the book of Philippians, but none so clear as this statement, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 NKJV) Christian joy is found in Jesus alone. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness depends on our circumstances, but joy depends on Jesus. Joy is constant. There are at least four reasons to rejoice in the Lord given to us in Philippians chapter four. First, rejoice because of God’s Presence! Paul said, “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5 NKJV) God is never out of reach if you are a child of God. The Lord is near. Secondly, rejoice because of God’s peace. Paul said, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV) Third, rejoice because of God’s power! Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God gives us His power! That means power to pray, power to preach, and power to praise. The hymn writer said it this way, “There is power, power, Yes wonder working power in the precious blood of the Lamb!” Lastly, rejoice because of God’s provision! Paul said, “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Oh what joy we have, how blessed we are!

Prayer: “Dear Father, we rejoice in You! You have blessed us in Christ. We glory in Your goodness. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 5, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Philippians chapter 3

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Being right with God is the greatest joy any person could ever have. Paul knew this joy and he desired that the Philippian church know it too. Paul knew the source of his joy. The source of joy is faith in Jesus Christ. Paul did not rely on human effort. He placed his trust in what Jesus has done for us. Before Paul was saved he sought righteousness by human effort. All of his accomplishments only brought him misery. One day he met Jesus Christ and his life was never the same. After coming to faith in Christ and experiencing God’s joy, Paul looked over his past accomplishments and concluded, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with Him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with Him depends on faith.” (Philippians 3:7-9 NLT)

Prayer: “Father, thank You for the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, and from the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions: September 3, 2014

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is Philippians chapter 1

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Paul loved the church. Out of every letter Paul wrote to churches, none display his affection for God’s people like that of the Philippian epistle. He wrote, “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…” There were three reasons for Paul’s joy. First, because of their fellowship in the Gospel. There was a strong bond between Paul and these believers because of the Gospel. He was highly interested in their spiritual progress. Paul said, “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.” (Philippians 1:6) Not only did Paul rejoice in the fellowship of the Gospel, but also He rejoiced in “furtherance of the Gospel” (Philippians 1:12). The Philippian church gave sacrificially to assist Paul in preaching the Gospel. They were very generous in their love and support of his ministry. Paul took joy in knowing that they were praying for him. Paul not only rejoiced in the furtherance of the Gospel, but also He rejoiced in the faith of the Gospel. (Philippians 1:27) Paul summed it up in one phrase. He said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) He was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ, and even wrote these words from a prison cell. He encouraged the church at Philippi to be courageous for Gospel, and to suffer faithfully for Christ.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, Let us be the kind of church that when others think of us they rejoice in You. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron

Daily Devotions

Daily Devotions

randymcpheron

Today’s Bible reading is I Corinthians chapter 7

(Read the entire New Testament in 2014 by reading only one chapter each day)

Keeping first things first helps us to enjoy God’s blessings to the fullest. Whether single or married, employed or looking for employment we can be happy in our current circumstances. I Corinthians chapter 7 teaches us to submit to God in all things and make serving Christ top priority for our lives. Sadly, many people today are unsettled and haven’t discovered peace and contentment. God’s Word gives us the key. First, Be faithful to Christ in your current circumstances. If you are married put Christ first and be happily married. If you are single put Christ first and be happily unmarried. Avoid sexual sins and immoral behavior. Do what you have to do within God’s will to remain pure. This will lead to joy. Secondly, make it a priority to reach people for Christ. You may be struggling in a marriage and wondering why you are there. It may be that God wants to use you to reach your unbelieving spouse. Paul said, “But as God has distributed to every man, as the Lord has called every one, so let him walk.” (I Corinthians 7:17)
Not only must we make it a priority to be faithful to Christ, and reach others for Christ, but also we must live with a sense of urgency. Paul said, “The time that remains is very short.” (I Corinthians 7:29 NLT)
He also said, “For this world as we know it will soon pass away.” (I Corinthians 7:31 NLT)
Don’t be distracted by the concerns of this world. Spend your time doing the Lord’s work and thinking about how you can please Him. Make serving and living for Jesus the highest priority of your life. Be satisfied with everything God has given you, and don’t want for more. Yield yourself completely to God and witness for Christ in every circumstance and trust that God placed you there for a purpose.

Prayer: “Dear Jesus, teach us the way of peace and contentment for the joy of the Lord is our strength, help us to make winning our family and friends to Christ the highest priority of our lives. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Randy J. McPheron