On my own, but not alone
Welcome to our new weekly devotional series for men, Monday Momentum. If you’re on our mailing list, you will receive one of these by e-mail every Monday morning. We’re going to start by working our way through Philippians, starting with Philippians 1:1-5:
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. (ESV)
Firstly, a bit of background, In Acts 16 Paul visited Philippi, a leading city in the district of Macedonia, after being called there through a vision. From the account in Acts, there are three encounters with people described from Paul’s time in Philippi: Lydia, a business woman (Acts 16:14-15); a slave girl (Acts 16:16-18) and a jailor(Acts 16:25-34). These people would probably have made up the start of the church in Philippi, quite a mixture of people – just as we are! Returning to the Paul’s letter to the Phillipians a few years later, it is clear that the church has grown from this small start to now be described as “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” (Philippians 1:1), and Paul is writing to encourage them.
In these verses Paul show us some important facts about our situation – Firstly he says “I thank my God” – not just God, my God – showing the personal relationship with God that we have. Secondly Paul says his thanks are due to the partnership in the gospel he shares with the Philippian Christians. This is the same with us – when God calls us to follow him we enter into a personal relationship with him and also become partners with Christians all around the world, partners in the gospel. God has equipped us, as individuals, with a variety of gifts and flaws, but he has equipped us, the church, with everything we need to stand for him in a crooked and twisted generation.
It’s Monday morning. You will face many struggles and frustrations, but you’re not alone. You’re part of a team of men who are committed to honouring Jesus Christ in every area of their lives. And committed to living to glorify God, no matter what it costs them. Like Paul, let’s thank God that we’re part of his team, and pray for our brothers – that they will stand firm and increase in their zeal for spreading the gospel.
Pray:
- Let’s thank our God that you’re part of a team of guys who love God.
- Pray for three guys you know from church, that God will give them strength, joy and opportunities to witness faithfully to Jesus today.