During Sunday Worship for the past couple of weeks, we’ve been in a series called Reminders looking through key verses in the book of Philippians.
We need to set reminders in life, because we are so quick to forget. We need reminders to not lose track of what is important.
Coincidentally, all of the devotionals on this platform have been written on Philippians. It’s easy to forget that. Calvary Young Adults Ministry has its foundation in Philippians 3: Press On. As a church community, we will be looking at that passage first week of June. Stay tuned!
Enough set up- let’s get to the content and focus of today’s devotional. We have an opportunity to go back over content and verses that you may have seen before.
The power of God’s Word is that it doesn’t change, it’s consistent, it stands the test of time. We are the one’s that change. We can grow and develop every day when we apply the Reminders of Philippians to our lives.
Often, we read a verse at different times of life, and it impacts us differently each time. Here’s the key verses from each week of the study below: read them in real time and apply them to your life right now in the present. You also have the opportunity to watch or re-watch each sermon. I highly recommend you do! You’ll be amazed at how much you forgot/will learn!
Don’t let familiarity breed superficiality. Let God’s Word into your life today- plug into His power!
How to Find Joy Watch below:
Key Verse Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Phil. 4:4-5
Apply- What brings you joy? How would your life be different if you lived as if the Lord was near?
The Philippian church was borne through adversity with great joy! It was a community that learned contentment in all circumstances.
Why Complaining is Bad Watch below:
Key Verse: Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Philippians 2:14-15
Apply- What do you complain or grumble about the most? The root of grumbling is unbelief. Where in your life do you question God’s sovereignty and goodness.
Our grumbling is actually directed to God. Where we struggle internally becomes an external grumble. Grumbling is discontent made audible. What to do? Look inside, look outside, look back inside- Pray! Jesus help me see that person/situation with your eyes.
How Struggle Makes You Strong Watch below:
Key Verse- For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phi. 1:21
Apply- What are you living for? Is what you’re living for worth dying for? Where in your life needs transformation?
Pain and suffering are a part of life. They can’t be avoided. Pain and suffering are not an excuse for passivity or sin. God uses pain and suffering to grow our reliance on Him. Here’s a great article for a Biblical understanding/explanation of suffering Read Here . We learn more in the valley than we do on the mountaintop. God also does His best work in the deserts of life not the desserts of life. If Jesus is added to your suffering, transformation occurs.
God is Not Done with You- God Finishes What He Starts! Watch below:
Key Verse- being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phi. 1:6
Apply- Things in-process are a dangerous mess? Where in your life is in-process? Who can you extend grace to who is also in-process?
God is not frustrated or annoyed by our lack of progress, and He is committed to see our reclamation project through to the end because He started it. God is the initiator on the grand scale of Creation and the personal of our lives. It’s not based on how tight we hold onto Him instead He is holding tight onto us!
When you don’t know what to do in a situation ask God for wisdom, when you know what not to do choose to be obedient! Wisdom helps us make good decisions, obedience prevents us from making bad decisions. We make progress with God through cooperation not competition with Him.
5 Things Christians Should Do: Lowly Servants & Holy Saints Watch Sermon below:
Key Verse: Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Phi. 1:1-2
Apply- Identity drives behavior. How would seeing yourself as a servant and saint of God change your life today? Here were the 5 challenges from the passage:
Visit a friend and encourage them.
Email/Message someone in need to pray for them.
Ask someone how you can serve them.
Write a post-it note reminder saying, “I’m a holy saint."
Extend grace and peace to people you disagree with.
We all need Reminders to not lose track of what is most important. Read, apply, repeat. Press On!