Wednesday, November 19 – Philippians 1:3-11

In the opening of Philippians, Paul gives thanks to the Philippians because of their participation in the gospel. Paul hints at the need for the church to continue to work even while he is imprisoned. Paul encourages the church to keep going because God is going to keep going and be at work with them.

Verse 8 is the sentence that impacts me the most. When you remember that Paul is in prison as he writes to the Philippians, you feel an emotional tug from these words. His statement in verse 8 is that he longs for the people with the love that Jesus has. It is this love that led him to prison and led him to write this letter. Paul wanted people to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Paul believed the gospel with such intensity that he knew it was necessary to speak the name of Jesus even if it cost him his freedom and eventually his life.

When we are pulled away from the people we love, we can give thanks that we have the memories of good times with them. Paul was able to hold those memories close while in prison. But he also knew that his love for them was like the love that Jesus had for us. And Jesus’ love for us led him to die, resurrect, and ascend to heaven, leaving his disciples behind. May we give thanks for the times we have with our family and friends, and may those memories carry us through when we are not with them.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%201%3A3-11&version=NASB

Tuesday, November 18 – 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

In Romans, Paul was thankful for their faith. For the Corinthians, Paul is thankful that they have received the grace of God. If you have read through 1 Corinthians, you will know that Paul had reason to be thankful for God’s grace. Corinth was a pretty messed-up place! And the church in Corinth was not much better. Paul reprimands the Corinthians for obvious sexual immorality and inequality between rich and poor members of the church. Some in Corinth even think they are better Christians because they can speak in tongues. Paul has his hands full correcting this church throughout 1 & 2 Corinthians. And so, at the beginning of his letter, he reminds them (and himself) that they have received the grace of God. No matter the sin found in Corinth, God’s grace is greater. As verse 9 reminds us, “God is faithful.” The grace of God is never going to leave us.

Let us be thankful that we have God’s grace. And let us remember that other people have God’s grace as well. James 2:13 reminds us that “mercy triumphs over judgment.” Giving grace is better than punishment. I am surely thankful for God’s grace in my life. Let us be thankful that God can give grace to all people. And go ahead and give grace and mercy to others today as well.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%201%3A4-9&version=NASB

Monday, November 17 – Romans 1:8-15

We reach the end of our Core Values+ series by looking at the need for Thanksgiving. In most of Paul’s letters, he has at least one section in which he gives thanks for his coworkers in Christ. We will read many of those sections this week.

The introduction to Romans thanks the Christians in Rome because their faith is being held up as an example all around the world. What is interesting to me about this thanksgiving compared to others is that Paul had never been to Rome when he wrote this letter. He didn’t start this church, like he had the others, but their reputation preceded them. He knows of their faithfulness during times of peace and persecution. He is ready to go and visit so that they can be his base of operations as he starts churches throughout Western Europe. He thanks them for being that type of church.

I pray that FBCG’s witness throughout the community and world is one that our faith in God is strong. I pray that when someone mentions First Baptist Gonzales, we are known as people who believe in Jesus Christ and go and do something about it. What are you going to do for Christ today?

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%201%3A8-15&version=NASB