Start Your Year, Start Your Day



January 04, 2010
Philippians 1:1-6
1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons.

2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.

4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy,

5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
 

Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi while he was imprisoned by the Roman government. Keep that in mind while you read this life-changing letter. It really brings a deeper perspective to what Paul has to say.

Even with his discouraging situation, Paul’s tone in this letter is full of joy and contentment. One of the purposes of the letter was an expression of thanks to the people of Philippi who had given generously to help Paul. Even though they were not wealthy, they gave from what they had AND they gave sacrificially.

As an apostle, Paul, could have chosen many ways to identify himself, but he chooses to use the phrase “slaves of Christ Jesus.” We might look down on that title, but Paul wears it like a badge of honor. We’ll learn more about Paul’s mindset as we get into Chapter 2, so I won’t give too much away here. However, I think it’s a huge thing that Paul kicks off the letter this way. In Paul’s day, slaves had no rights and existed solely to please their master. Paul is saying, “I have relinquished all my rights and any kind of claim I think I may have.” That’s pretty much the bedrock of living a contented life: living without a sense of entitlement.

I love the way Paul closes the greeting with a prayer for God’s grace and peace to come to the people in Philippi. Really, when you think about it, if we lived each day aware of God’s grace to us, and then employed His peace throughout our day, we would experience a tremendous result each day. As you go through your day today, relinquish your rights, and be aware of God’s grace poured out on you.

So, then, we turn to look at verse 4. Paul says that he makes requests for the Philippians with joy. In fact, we'll see that throughout the book, everything that Paul is doing, he does with joy! But here, Paul says that he's full of joy and gratitude because the Philippians have partnered with him in spreading the Good News. There is nothing like the joy of working with someone toward a common goal, especially something that transcends your own agenda or plan. When you team up with someone, and you see things being accomplished it is such a rush! So, Paul is experiencing that euphoria here as he thinks about the incredible advances that the Good News of Christ was making throughout the entire region.

As we close this particular passage, though, Paul makes a HUGE statement that we need to try to understand. If we really grasp this, it will revolutionize the way we look at our life. Paul says that God is the One who began the work in us, and He will continue to do that until our time is over. That means that no matter how we view our own lives, God is working behind the scenes to orchestrate the work He has in mind. That means that, today, the things that happen to you won't catch God by surprise. He's already crafting your day and He's weaving every situation to make the most of your life! Think about that and watch the difference it makes today!

A Thankful Thought


I often think about the fact that I could have been born in a different family or a third world country: a family or country that didn’t recognize Christ as the only Son of God and the only way to the Father.  I am so grateful for my upbringing and for my two boys!

Another thing that makes me grateful is when I recognize that God meets my every need.  Since I don’t have a husband or a second income to rely on, I’m reminded every day that God is my provider and He has blessed me with an awesome job that I truly look forward to getting up going to everyday. 

How many people can say that?
 

A NewSpring Staff Member


Your Comments

1

John Carroll | January 04, 2010 at 05.47 am

I couldn’t wait to get up this morning to start my day off right in God’s word. I have been a lazy Christian and not very disciplined in my walk with God. Marks message along with Dan’s in Kids World were very motivating. I have so much to be thankful for and look forward to living today with a sense of purpose and making sure people see Christ through me in my actions and attitude.

Have a great day!

2

Patsy Weiser | January 04, 2010 at 06.26 am

Thank you so much for sharing this with us today.  I look forward to going through the book of Philippians with NewSpring.  This too is my favorite book.  I refer to Phil. 4:6 almost every day.

Thanks again.

3

Ashley | January 04, 2010 at 09.36 am

While listening to Mark’s message Saturday night, I really felt the Holy Spirit nudging me.  I am NOT an early morning person, and getting up at 5:45 to go work out before heading to teach was always such a stretch for me.  But I felt the Lord leading me.  I kept thinking to myself, “I should START my day earlier so I make time for God.”  I usually would do my devotions before bed, but some nights were late and I would usually pray myself to sleep, spending no time in the Word.  So I resolved to get up at 5a.m., spend 30 minutes or so in the Word and prayer/thanksgiving.  I know it’s only been a day, but can I say that I have never had a better start?!  I am energized and have a positive focus for my day!  I thank God for speaking His truth through Mark and speaking to my heart last Saturday.  We are truly blessed as a church to have such a wonderful leader!

4

Jen | January 04, 2010 at 10.49 am

As I sit here and study the verses today, I am so thankful.  I too am a single mom, however I got laid off a year ago in Feb. and still have found no work…but through the last year is when I found NewSpring Church…I thank God everyday for the fellowship and worship I experience at NewSpring…As I sit here today unable to pay rent and want to stress out about it I just try to remember the message Mark gave us in church yesterday…those of you where there know exactly what I’m talking about…God “You Know”...I truly believe the reason for me to have lost my job is because God intended me to find NewSpring Church…I still to this day believe that if I hadn’t found it I would be in a much worse place than I am….THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Thanks for listening, God Bless and have a most peaceful day…

5

amanda | January 04, 2010 at 04.14 pm

I’m so thankfull for this, and the chance to really start my new year off in the right way with the lord as my guide and building a stronger realationship with hime, I realize now it’s like anything you make a attempt in your daily life to include those who you love why not do the same with jesus

6

Melissa | January 04, 2010 at 06.51 pm

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.”  I am truly thankful for my Church staff and all those that serve at NewSpring! Thank you.

7

Jolynn | January 04, 2010 at 08.56 pm

Why is it that every single message Mark delivers is so perfectly timed for me?! Tests to my faith this last month filled me with anxiety. My day back to work began with prayer - and passed so smoothly. Looking forward to what the month will bring.

8

Erica | January 06, 2010 at 09.33 pm

I feel that this month of devotions together will be such a blessing for so many.  I thank God for finding Newspring.  Pastor Mark and all the staff are so great.  It is really helped me to provide a good foundation of Christ for my daughter and myself.  Her father is muslim, so it is that much more important to ensure her foundation in Christ is strong.  Thank you to all of you at Newspring.


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