2020 for JESUS - Day 216: JESUS is THE LORD... CHRIST JESUS... CHRIST... CHRIST JESUS MY LORD... CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH COMES FROM GOD ON THE BASIS OF FAITH... THE RESURRECTION... GOD...

Philippians 3 

Goal of Life

”Finally, my brethren, rejoice in THE LORD. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

² Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 

³ for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the SPIRIT OF GOD and glory in CHRIST JESUS and put no confidence in the flesh, 

⁴ although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 

⁵ circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 

⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

⁷ But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of CHRIST. 

⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain CHRIST, 

⁹ and may be found in HIM, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in CHRIST, THE RIGHTEOUSNESS WHICH COMES FROM GOD ON THE BASIS OF FAITH, 

¹⁰ that I may know HIM and 

the power of HIS resurrection and 

the fellowship of HIS sufferings, 

being conformed to HIS death; 

¹¹ in order that I may attain to THE RESURRECTION from the dead.

¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by CHRIST JESUS. 

¹³ Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of

GOD in CHRIST JESUS. 

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, GOD will reveal that also to you; 

¹⁶ however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”

2020 for JESUS - Day 215: JESUS is THE LORD JESUS... CHRIST JESUS... THE GOSPEL... THE LORD... GOD... CHRIST...

Philippians 2:19-30

Timothy and Epaphroditus

¹⁹ But I hope in THE LORD JESUS to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 

²⁰ For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 

²¹ For they all seek after their own interests, not those of CHRIST JESUS. 

²² But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of THE GOSPEL like a child serving his father. 

²³ Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; 

²⁴ and I trust in THE LORD that I myself also will be coming shortly. 

²⁵ But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; 

²⁶ because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 

²⁷ For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but GOD had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 

²⁸ Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. 

²⁹ Receive him then in THE LORD with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; 

³⁰ because he came close to death for the work of CHRIST, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”

 

2020 for JESUS - Day 214: JESUS is CHRIST... LOVE... MY JOY... CHRIST JESUS... THE FORM OF GOD... GOD... BOND SERVANT... THE LIKENESS OF MEN... A MAN... THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME... JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER... YOUR SALVATION... GOD WHO IS AT WORK WITHIN YOU... THE WORD OF LIFE... YOUR JOY...

      

                 

Today is Day 214 of 2020!

214 is a number that stands out to me...

not just because it stands for 

Valentine's Day... the "day of LOVE",

but it is the day one of our daughters left this earth

to live with the LORD eternally.

What a wonderful topic for our Day 214 reading - 

Be like CHRIST!

Philippians 2:1-18 

Be Like Christ

Therefore if there is any encouragement in CHRIST,

if there is any consolation of LOVE,

if there is any fellowship of THE SPIRIT,

if any affection and compassion, 

² make MY JOY complete by being of the same mind,

maintaining the same LOVE, united in SPIRIT, intent on one purpose. 

³ Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit,

but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 

⁴ do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 

⁵ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in CHRIST JESUS, 

⁶ WHO, although HE existed in THE FORM OF GOD, did not regard equality with GOD a thing to be grasped, 

⁷ but emptied HIMSELF, taking the form of 

a BOND-SERVANT, and being made in THE LIKENESS OF MEN. 

⁸ Being found in appearance as A MAN, HE humbled HIMSELF by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

⁹ For this reason also, GOD highly exalted HIM, and bestowed on HIM THE NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, 

¹⁰ so that at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

¹¹ and that every tongue will confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.  

¹² So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out YOUR SALVATION with fear and trembling; 

¹³ for it is GOD WHO IS AT WORK WITHIN YOU, both to will and to work for HIS good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 

¹⁵ so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of GOD above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 

¹⁶ holding fast THE WORD OF LIFE, so that in the day of CHRIST I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. 

¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share MY JOY with you all. 

¹⁸ You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share YOUR JOY with me."

2020 for JESUS - Day 213: JESUS is CHRIST... THE FAITH... CHRIST JESUS... THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL... SALVATION... GOD...

Philippians 1:21-30

To Live Is CHRIST

²¹ "For to me, to live is CHRIST and to die is gain. 

²² But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 

²³ But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with CHRIST, for that is very much better; 

²⁴ yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 

²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in THE FAITH, 

²⁶ so that your proud confidence in me may abound in CHRIST JESUS  through my coming to you again.

²⁷ Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of CHRIST, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for THE FAITH OF THE GOSPEL; 

²⁸ in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of SALVATION for you, and that too, from GOD. 

²⁹ For to you it has been granted for CHRIST’s sake, not only to believe in HIM, but also to suffer for HIS sake, 

³⁰ experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me."

2020 for JESUS - Day 212: JESUS is THE GOSPEL... CHRIST... THE LORD... THE WORD OF GOD... LOVE... TRUTH... JESUS CHRIST...

Philippians 1:12-20

The Gospel Is Preached

¹² "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of THE GOSPEL, 

¹³ so that my imprisonment in the cause of CHRIST has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, 

¹⁴ and that most of the brethren, trusting in THE LORD because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak THE WORD OF GOD without fear. 

¹⁵ Some, to be sure, are preaching CHRIST even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; 

¹⁶ the latter do it out of LOVE, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 

¹⁷ the former proclaim CHRIST out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. 

¹⁸ What then? 
Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in TRUTH, 
CHRIST is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice.

Yes, and I will rejoice, 

¹⁹ for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance 
through your prayers and 
the provision of THE SPIRIT OF JESUS CHRIST, 

²⁰ according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, CHRIST will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death."

2020 for JESUS - Day 211: JESUS is CHRIST JESUS... GRACE... PEACE... THE LORD JESUS CHRIST... GOD... THE GOSPEL...CHRIST... RIGHTEOUSNESS... JESUS CHRIST...

Philippians 1:1-11

Thanksgiving

 "Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of CHRIST JESUS,

To all the saints in CHRIST JESUS who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 

² GRACE to you and PEACE from God our Father and THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.

³ I thank my GOD in all my remembrance of you, 

⁴ always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 

⁵ in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 

⁶ For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of CHRIST JESUS. 

⁷ For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of  THE GOSPEL, you all are partakers of grace with me. 

⁸ For GOD is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of CHRIST JESUS. 

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 

¹⁰ so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of CHRIST; 

¹¹ having been filled with the fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS which comes through JESUS CHRIST, to the glory and praise of GOD."

2020 for JESUS - Day 210: JESUS is GOD... SALVATION OF GOD... LORD JESUS CHRIST...

Acts 28:1-31

Safe at Malta

1 "When they had been brought safely through, then we found out that the island was called Malta. 

2 The natives showed us extraordinary kindness; for because of the rain that had set in and because of the cold, they kindled a fire and received us all. 

3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened itself on his hand. 

4 When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they began saying to one another, 

'Undoubtedly this man is a murderer, and though he has been saved from the sea, 

justice has not allowed him to live.' 

5 However he shook the creature off into the fire and suffered no harm. 

6 But they were expecting that he was about to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had waited a long time and had seen nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god.

7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us courteously three days. 

8 And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. 

9 After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. 

10 They also honored us with many marks of respect; and when we were setting sail, they supplied us with all we needed.

Paul Arrives at Rome

11 At the end of three months we set sail on an Alexandrian ship which had wintered at the island, and which had the Twin Brothers for its figurehead. 

12 After we put in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 

13 From there we sailed around and arrived at Rhegium, and a day later a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 

14 There we found some brethren, and were invited to stay with them for seven days; and thus we came to Rome. 

15 And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked GOD and took courage.

16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leading men of the Jews, and when they came together, he began saying to them, 

'Brethren, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 

18 And when they had examined me, they were willing to release me because there was no ground for putting me to death. 

19 But when the Jews objected, I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation against my nation. 

20 For this reason, therefore, I requested to see you and to speak with you, for I am wearing this chain for the sake of the hope of Israel.'

21 They said to him, 

'We have neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren come here and reported or spoken anything bad about you. 

22 But we desire to hear from you what your views are; for concerning this sect, it is known to us that it is spoken against everywhere.'

23 When they had set a day for Paul, they came to him at his lodging in large numbers; and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of GOD and trying to persuade them concerning JESUS, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening. 

24 Some were being persuaded by the things spoken, but others would not believe. 

25 And when they did not agree with one another, they began leaving after Paul had spoken one parting word, 

'THE HOLY SPIRIT rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers, 

26 saying,

‘Go to this people and say,
'You will keep on hearing, but will not understand;
And you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
 27    For the heart of this people has become dull,
And with their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes;
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
And hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,And I would heal them.'  '

28 Therefore let it be known to you that this SALVATION OF GOD has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen.' 

29 When he had spoken these words, the Jews departed, having a great dispute among themselves.

30 And he stayed two full years in his own rented quarters and was welcoming all who came to him, 

31 preaching the kingdom of GOD and teaching concerning the LORD JESUS CHRIST  

with all openness, unhindered."

Join us tomorrow, 

as we begin looking at JESUS in the book of Philippians!