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Day 139 Philippians 1:8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you with the affection of Jesus Christ. 9 This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve excellent things, be sincere, and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. 12 I want you to know, brethren, the things which happened to me turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, 13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much bolder to speak the Word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from good will: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. 19 For I know this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I will be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I will choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 Being confident of this, I know I will remain and continue with you for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again. 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation from God. 29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. What brings endless joy to your life? For most people, they are happy over their achievements, when things go right, promotions, children, and the list is endless of things that make a person happy. However, happiness is for a moment. It doesn’t bring the joy they hope to find. Paul told the Philippians that though he was in chains, he had joy because of the gospel. He heard about their faith and how they strived for the gospel. He saw how his chains brought about salvation for the palace guard. In everything he did and heard, his joy magnified because the Word of God went forth. He also told them about his conflict over life and death. He wanted to stay with them to further the gospel, but he also wanted to leave them and be with Christ Jesus. Paul knew that to live was Christ, but to die was gain. Either way, it brought him joy because the gospel went forth. Where is your joy as Christians? Or are you happy for a moment and the joy you hoped for didn’t appear? When you work for Jesus Christ and the furtherance of the gospel as Paul did, your joy is endless. You see how your work affects those around you. You hear the testimonies of those who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. Whether you are on the mission field in a foreign country, or you never leave home, your mission field is where you are. When you live your life for the gospel, you will have endless joy, and no one can take it from you. Satan can try, but your life is grounded in Jesus Christ and His will for your life. Satan will bring trouble your way to tear you down. Paul was in prison. Yet, no matter what Satan did to him to stop the spread of the gospel, it went further, to more people, even to the palace guards. Nothing could take Paul’s joy from him. Nothing should take your joy either. To live is Christ. To die is gain. So, whether you live or die, Christ is glorified, and your joy is complete. Let’s pray: Father, let Your joy live in me as I bring Your Word to those for whom You prepared it. Let me see and hear the testimonies of those who accept You as Savior and Lord. Give me endless joy in Your work and the furtherance of the gospel. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 2 December 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.