Philippians 2:1, 2 - Encouragement, Unity and Real Power

Philippians 2:1, 2

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 When we become believers and join His family, Christ sends us his Holy Spirit to work His miracles in our hearts and lives. The obvious thing for us to do is to submit, relax and allow these gifts to come in and do their work. Then, those who have labored for our lives will rejoice like the Apostle Paul  to see the good results in us and the unity in the church as each heart responds to the Holy Spirit and moves together in one purpose. This unity is because we are all receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding. Much can happen when we each have such an experience.

Eve

Did Eve have this experience after she left the garden with Adam? Over time, did God work in her heart and bring unity between her and Adam and their children who believed? Did she let her heart be comforted in the love God had for her? That is where the Holy Spirit must start. He heals us with that great love God has for us so that we can enter in that fellowship. Our hearts become tender and compassionate for others. As the healing is accomplished we reach out and begin to work with other believers as a team in unity. We do not know if Adam and Eve experienced this love, joy and unity together or not.

Mary

Mary’s heart was tender and compassionate because of the work of God’s love in her heart. I am so glad that she lived long enough to see the results of her Son’s work on earth. How hard it must have been for her to see his ultimate suffering. We have only a small idea of the sword that pierced her soul, but her wounds were healed and she was a part of the believers after Jesus went to heaven. From what we understand, she continued on the winning team until she died.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending me Your Holy Spirit and working Your love in my heart. Thank You that I can enter into that true bonding with other believers when I respond and receive You and Your gifts personally. I want to have that experience of unity and that circle of love that only comes from You. Entering into this experience as the Holy Spirit heals me and works inside my heart is the only way I can really make a difference in life and have a part in Your Kingdom. All of this is possible because of Jesus! Thank You most of all for Him! Amen.

Philippians 1:12-14

Philippians 1:12-14

 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters,that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.  For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.  And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.

Much was happening to Paul. He was in an incredibly dire living situation, incarcerated with Roman guards on constant watch. Still, he had such joy in Jesus and was so willing to suffer any hardship if he could feel the pain for Jesus. His focus was on Jesus’ cause here on earth and what would help “spread the Good News.” He saw that it was not about Paul, but about Jesus and others. Paul was glad that he was incapable of preaching because the entire church in Rome was encouraged to share the Gospel. They were out there doing the work, inspired by Paul and his being in their city in prison.

  Then, Paul also saw that the real reason for his imprisonment was known. He wanted the guards and people on up the line even into Caesar’s palace to know that he was in prison because of his faith in Jesus. They might become curious as to who Jesus is and want to check out the Christian faith for themselves.

Eve

  Did Eve ever get to the point where she was so attracted by the love of God that God’s cause was her life focus? Did she try to show the love and hope of God to her children? God would have comforted her heart through the years as she saw the result of her sin if she had kept looking to Him and letting God’s love hold her heart. She had to come to surrender her ability to make things better. She had to accept that she might not be the mother of the One who was to come and rescue her children from sin and the devil. We do not know if she surrendered to God and to letting His love heal her.

Mary

  Mary did focus on doing her best to follow God’s leading in her young motherhood and caring for the Child, Jesus. She was a mother that was willing to put everything she had and was on the line for this Boy of hers.  She was a mother, but she was dedicated to letting God do with her life what He planned. She is such a role model for women of any age today. All of us can look at her dedication throughout her life and let our hearts open. We can be inspired to give ourselves completely over to God’s will like she did.

My Prayer

My Father in Heaven,

Thank You for not being far away. You are right here with me on Planet Earth. Please let me live with the attitude of surrender to You and full dedication to what You want in whatever circumstances come my way. You are at work through everything that occurs. Help me to always believe You. Since I am Yours, everything that happens to me will work for good. Help me to be fully committed to Your cause, Your winning team. I can do this because of Jesus! Amen!