Are you reading the book of Philippians with me? If you aren’t, feel free to jump right in where we are and read with us from this point on. We are reading a chapter per week and this week we started with chapter 1. (You can read more about the process here.)
As I read the same chapter each day, I tried to listen to what specific verse God wanted me to hear this week and, using the SOAP devotional method, this is what stood out for me:
SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 1:25-26
25Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26So that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
OBSERVATION:
Paul is sharing his desire to die in body and be with Christ and yet he sees true value he sees in remaining living in the body so he can share about Christ and encourage others, even through his physical suffering. He gets great pleasure in encouraging others.
APPLICATION:
I have missed sharing my devotionals here on MomsToolbox. Every single Bible in 90 Days session was an exciting project, as were all the other daily devotionals and reading plans we have read together here. They fed me spiritually, and it was great to encourage others to be fed, as well, and yet they also took a lot out of me in taking the time to post and respond to emails. I had to take a break.
I love how God is beckoning me back and helping me see to how to fit this back into mylife so that I can continue to share my thoughts and experiences and encourage others to do the same. I want your joy in Christ to overflow on account of me. I want you to grow and feel his love and be so overwhelmed by it that you just have to share. And I am honored to help with that.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank you for calling out to me once again and guiding me as I share my devotionals with my MomsToolbox family. I love sharing and hearing how other are growing in their own faith while reading and SOAPing with me, but, as you know, things were getting overwhelming for me for a bit. Thanks for staying with me as I took a step back.
Please, Lord, continue to show me the path I should follow in reading, listening and sharing. Please let my actions and prayers inspire those around me (virtually and in real life) such that their joy for you will overflow on account of me.
I love you, Lord. Thank you for your guidance and love, and for putting me right where I am, even when I am puzzled about it.
So.. what about you? What did you hear God sharing with you in Philippians chapter 1? Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments or even share a link to blog post where you shared your thoughts on this reading. Especially after my SOAP this week, I’d LOVE to know how you’ve been impacted.
What’s next?
This week we’ll read Philippians chapter 2 and compare notes next Monday, June 3.
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