Philippians 1:1-7 (NIV)
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. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.
All of Paul’s letters begin with gratitude—except the letter to the Galatians. He was a little miffed at them. In this passage, however, he’s grateful.
The first point of focus is gratitude—you remember those gone before you.
Do you ever pause amidst your busy day and say a word of gratitude for all you have and all you know?
In 1997 Fred Rogers a/k/a Mr. Rogers accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards. He gave a simple but powerful teaching lesson. It revolved around gratitude. He asked the audience to take just ten seconds to think about the people in their lives who’d helped them along the way to become the people they were. He specifically referred to the ones who cared about them and who wanted what was best for their lives. It was pretty astounding to watch the faces of those in the audience. Being grateful is a most humbling experience.
Photo by Gabrielle Henderson on Unsplash
Paul told the people of the Philippi Church to stop and give thanks and to be more grateful.
He talks about joy—and tells them to rejoice.
He tells them to rejoice through prayer.
When you pray, give thanks, and then ask for God’s help—simple.
Gratitude leads to greater joy in our lives.
God is at work to help you.
God who starts the good work will lead you to a place of completion.
Finally, keep the faith and the faith will keep you.
For example—mentors. My mentor was one Miss Onice Fields, my high school senior English Lit teacher. What was the takeaway she left me? She gave me a thirst for learning and a passion for literature. She was the hardest teacher I ever had. And the best. I had the good fortune to reconnect with her several years ago. We met for lunch and talked for hours. She read some of my writings. She encouraged me and corrected me. She became that person you look up to and look to for advice. On November 9, 2018, Onie went home to be with our Lord and Savior. I miss her terribly.
Isn’t it wonderful that God is so much stronger than we are? This is why we trust him. It’s so important to know that God can be trusted.
Sit for a moment and list the things or the people you are grateful to and for. I’ll wait…
My list is quite long. But you are welcome to join me on my Facebook page beginning November 1st as I list each day throughout November of those things I’m grateful to and for in my life. In my gratitude for all this, I feel so much joy.
In our scripture, Paul explains his love and affection for the Philippian believers. He wants them to know how much he appreciates their support for him and his ministry. Paul tells them that he and Timothy are like servants to them. He wants them to know that he considers them as saints as well as partakers of grace and he wants them to know he loves them.
Paul is writing to them while in prison in Rome around 61 AD. Although he had suffered greatly, he wants the Philippians to know his suffering is for a good cause. Oddly enough the attempts to persecute him have caused the gospel he has preached to spread. Paul fully believes that he’ll be released and will see the believers of Philippi again.
There is a Prayer for All Saints Sunday that goes like this:
We remember the great ancestors of our faith, from Abraham and Sarah to Paul and Phoebe.
We remember the prophets and priests, the ministers and teachers who have taught us the way of God.
We remember our grandparents and parents, aunts and uncles, those who have gone before us in our lifetime.
We lift up the memories of children and grandchildren, brothers and sisters, husbands and wives whose lives ended too soon.
We lift up to you, O God, the names of those we have lost in this past year from our lives, knowing that they are with your heart forever:
We celebrate the lives of those we have named, O God, and lift up many more names in our hearts.
We give thanks, O God, for all who have gone on to join with you beyond this life.
We trust in the hope of resurrection and the promise of new life in Christ and know that in our grief and celebration, O God, you are with us through it all, and we are not left alone.
In the name of Christ, in whom love lives forever, we pray. Amen.
What about you?
What is your prayer of gratitude?
Photo by David Beale on Unsplash
And that’s what I learned in Church……see ya next time!
