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Today’s Devotion is based on Joy in the Journey – Week 5 – Hard Work (WATCH HERE)

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Hold Fast, Hold Out

Philippians 2:16 “As you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.”

What do you hold onto when life feels uncertain or chaotic? What anchors you when your world seems to be shifting beneath your feet?

Paul urges the Philippians to “hold firmly to the word of life.” In a culture where ideas, values, and opinions constantly change, God’s Word remains steady and sure. It’s not just another opinion or motivational quote. It’s life! Eternal, soul-renewing, truth-filled life.

The phrase “word of life” refers to all of God’s Word.  It’s the Word of God that brings eternal life through the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ.  It’s the Word that reveals to us the one true God, ending our search and giving us focus in life.  It is the Word that reveal God’s will and character so we walk in his truth and experience all the fullness of the blessings he gives. 

To “hold firmly” to it means to grip it with both hands and refuse to let go, even when it’s unpopular, inconvenient, or costly. It’s the same kind of grip a climber has when clutching a rope while scaling a mountain. Life literally depends on it.

But there’s another dimension here. The Greek phrase used for “hold firmly” can also be translated as “hold out.” So Paul may also be saying: Hold it for yourself, and hold it out for others.

This dual calling is at the heart of the Christian mission. You cling to the truth for strength and stability, but you don’t keep it to yourself. You share it with the world around you,  People all around us are looking for meaning, purpose and direction in life.  They are looking to get the most out of life and find some sort of fulfillment in life.  God has given us the word of life so that through your words, your actions, and your witness we can bring this word of life to searching souls all around us!.

Imagine a sailor in open water, caught in a thick fog. The winds shift, the waves rise, and visibility disappears. But in his hand is a compass, and that compass gives him direction no matter how chaotic the sea becomes.

God’s Word is our compass in a cultural storm. It points true north when everything else is blurry. But like a compass, it only helps if we consult it and trust it.

But when we do it gives certainty of our direction, confidence we will reach our destination and assurance that we will navigate safely through life’s storms.  

So hold on to and hold out the word of life.  Take it in for yourself and freely share it with others!

Maybe one more thought…how exciting it is when the word of life you share changes the eternal and temporal destiny for people.  

Paul longed to know that his efforts with the Philippians were not wasted. He wants their lives to bear lasting fruit. When believers anchor themselves in God’s Word of life and extend that Word to others, they don’t just run the race, they finish well and bring as many others along with them as possible!

Apply: Commit to the Word: How are you currently engaging with Scripture? If you don’t already have a regular plan, begin with something simple—perhaps one chapter a day in the Gospel of John or Psalms. Let God’s Word become the daily bread your soul craves.  Maybe try memorizing a verse from that chapter and asking God for an opportunity to share it with someone else!
Prayer: Lord, help me to hold tightly to Your Word. Let it be my anchor, my guide, and my joy. And don’t let me keep it to myself. Give me courage and love to hold it out to those who need hope. May Your Word live in me and shine through me, so that my life would not be lived in vain but for Your glory. Amen.

Today’s Devotion is based on Joy in the Journey – Week 5 – Hard Work (WATCH HERE)

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No Whining…All Shining

Philippians 2:14–15 (NIV) “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

 

One of the most countercultural things a Christian can do today is simple: stop complaining. Paul’s instruction to the Philippians feels incredibly direct: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” Not some things. Everything.

To be sure this is difficult as it is pretty easy to find something wrong with anything…our food, our looks, our politics, our work, our spouse, our kids…and the list goes on.  Any hint of disagreement turns into an argument.  We fight for our position.  Leave a passive aggressive comment on social media. Or simply argue to the bitter end…just to prove we are right.

Paul’s directive isn’t just about polite behavior; it’s about a lifestyle that reflects our identity as “children of God.” When our hearts are full of gratitude and our mouths are free from constant negativity, we stand out in a world that is often filled with cynicism, criticism, and chaos.

Paul connects this command to our witness. He says that by doing this, we will become “blameless and pure” and will “shine… like stars in the sky.” Just like stars break through the darkness of night, Christians are called to break through the spiritual darkness of the world with their attitude, conduct, and character.

We live in what Paul calls a “warped and crooked generation.” This was true in the Roman Empire, and it remains true today. Culture is often steeped in selfishness, entitlement, and anger. Complaining has almost become a national sport. Just notice social media, workplace banter, and even casual conversations.  Notice your interaction.  Often they can be filled with negativity.

But imagine a believer who, instead of joining the complaining chorus, speaks with calm gratitude. Who offers grace when others offer gossip. Who carries joy in frustrating circumstances. That person stands out.  That person shines.  That person attracts attention. That person draws others to Christ.

Think of a lighthouse in the middle of a storm. The winds are howling, the waves are crashing, and the night is pitch black. But the lighthouse doesn’t argue with the storm. It doesn’t complain about the darkness. It just shines.

That’s what Paul calls us to be. A steady light in a noisy, chaotic world. Not because we’re perfect, but because we know the One who is. And when we choose gratitude over grumbling, peace over arguing, we point people to Him.

Apply: Take note today of how often you complain or argue. You might be surprised. What are the patterns in your language that reflect a heart in need of God’s transforming grace? Be a light: Look for one way to shine today—perhaps in a difficult conversation, a frustrating situation at work, or a stressful moment at home. Choose to reflect Christ’s peace instead of the world’s irritation.
Prayer: Father, help me to live with a spirit of gratitude rather than complaint. In a world full of noise and negativity, make me a person of peace and joy. Help my words reflect the hope I have in Christ. Teach me to shine like a star in the sky, pointing others to Your light in the darkness. Amen.

Today’s Devotion is based on Joy in the Journey – Week 5 – Hard Work (WATCH HERE)

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Work Out What God Works In

Philippians 2:12–13 – “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

The Christian life begins with grace—and it continues by grace. We don’t earn salvation; it is entirely a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–9). And yet Paul says, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” What does that mean?

First, let’s be clear: Paul doesn’t say “work for your salvation.” Salvation is not a paycheck; it’s a gift. What he means is this: Now that God has saved you by grace, live it out. Put it into practice. Grow it. Nurture it like a garden. The word Paul uses for “work out” in Greek suggests continual cultivation—like a farmer tending crops to make sure they grow strong.

But here’s the comfort: We don’t do this work alone. Verse 13 reassures us: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” God isn’t a distant observer. He is an active agent in your daily growth. He supplies the desire, the strength, and the ability to live out your faith.

This partnership between divine power and human response is a beautiful picture of grace in action. When the Spirit of God works faith in your heart, he establishes a wonderful partnership enabling us to live out the Christian faith.  You take steps of faith, and the Spirit of God empowers those steps. You decide to pray, and the Spirit stirs deeper connection with our heavenly Father. You choose to forgive, and Christ gives you strength to release the right to get even..

Sometimes we feel weak or unmotivated. We feel stuck or stagnant in our faith. But this verse offers powerful hope: God is at work in you—even when you don’t feel it. He is shaping your will and strengthening your actions to align with His good purpose. He’s not finished with you yet.

We do this with “fear and trembling.” Paul is not referring to great anxiety, but deep reverence. It’s a healthy respect for the holy God who saves us and calls us to grow. It’s the seriousness of treating salvation as the precious thing it is. It means we don’t take grace lightly.  We respond with dedication and intentionality to carry it out.

Imagine a gym membership gifted to you by someone who loves you. It’s free to you, but it cost them a great deal. You didn’t earn it—but if you never show up to train, you won’t grow. The benefits are real, but they require effort. Your work doesn’t earn the membership, but it allows you to experience the full blessing of it. So it is with salvation.

Don’t be discouraged by how far you feel you have to go. God is at work in you today. He’s forming new desires, stirring new strength, and guiding you to live more like Christ. Your part is to take the next faithful step.

Apply: How will you work on your salvation today? Where is God prompting growth in your life? What spiritual discipline (prayer, Scripture, serving, generosity) might need renewed attention?
Prayer:  Lord, thank You that I don’t have to work for Your love, but that You have already given it fully in Christ. Help me live out the salvation You’ve worked into my heart. Give me the desire, the discipline, and the delight to grow in grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Devotions this week are based on Joy in the Journey Week 4: Humility! (WATCH Full Sunday message)

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Philippians 2:11 – “…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

There is a moment coming when every tongue will confess—either in joyful faith or trembling realization—that Jesus Christ is Lord. Philippians 2:11 is deeply personal because it includes each one of us.  If you are a believer in Christ, this comes naturally and easily.  As one who questions, doubts or rejects Christ, it does not come easily at all.  Rather it is a truth we’d rather ignore. 

But the miracle of faith is one that God is constantly orchestrating through the power of his Word and the working of the Holy Spirit. 

No story captures this shift from cursing to confessing quite like that of Lee Strobel, the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, an award-winning journalist, and once a devout atheist.

Strobel’s disdain for Christianity ran deep. Raised in a secular environment and steeped in skepticism, he viewed belief in Jesus as irrational at best and dangerous at worst. He often ridiculed Christians—especially those who dared to take the Bible seriously. To him, Christianity was a crutch for the weak and an opiate for those unwilling to face life’s harsh realities.

But everything began to shift when his wife, Leslie, became a Christian. Strobel was furious. He felt betrayed, confused, and determined to “rescue” her from what he saw as delusion. So, he set out—like any good journalist—to investigate and debunk Christianity.

For nearly two years, he interviewed scholars, examined historical evidence, and weighed the arguments. He approached the question of Jesus’ resurrection like a courtroom case. But instead of disproving it, the evidence led him somewhere he never expected—to belief. Confronted with the reliability of Scripture, the historical facts surrounding Jesus’ life and resurrection, and the undeniable change in his wife’s life, Strobel found himself face-to-face with the truth.

In 1981, God worked faith in Strobel’s life and he, who once cursed Christ, now confessed Jesus Christ as Lord.

Perhaps your journey wasn’t as drastic as Strobel’s, but we all have a sinful nature that desires to curse Christ and walk away from him.  We naturally want to confess our name and make our name the most important.  But this sin is what Jesus came to die for.

With the reality of history and the backing of the facts, Jesus humbled himself to be our Savior.  Confessing him as Lord, is not one driven by fear, but by deep gratitude for the work he did on our behalf.  Confessing him as Lord is not just words out of our mouth, but indication of the change he worked in our hearts.  Confessing him as Lord is not just something for this life, but it is the mark of faith that saves us forever.

And at the end of the day, our confession is not to our credit, but simply to the glory of God because HE is behind all what was done to secure our salvation.

Apply: Do you use your words to build Christ’s name or your own? Strobel used his pen to mock Christ then to proclaim Him. What will your voice, writing, or platform declare?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are exalted above every name. Soften our prideful hearts, and bring our lips to confess, not in fear, but in love, that You are Lord. Use our stories like You used Lee Strobel’s to show the world that You are real, gracious, and glorious. Amen.

Devotions this week are based on Joy in the Journey Week 4: Humility! (WATCH Full Sunday message)

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Jesus said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).

This sounds contrary to logic.  To go up, one must lower himself?

Jesus not only taught this truth to the religious leaders the week of his death, but he epitomized this teaching by going to the cross.  Outside a few of his followers, Jesus really didn’t have a following at the cross.  His death left some feeling afraid and confused, while leaving others satisfied they didn’t have to deal with Jesus anymore.

But the history of Jesus didn’t stop with a funeral at the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, rather three days later the one most thought was dead, God raised to life.  More than that, he welcomed Jesus back into heaven.

Philippians 2:9–10 – “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”

People had rejected him, mocked him, and dismissed him as a lunatic.  He was treated with disdain and killed as a horrible criminal.  But, there’s a moment coming—one that no one will miss. It won’t be a whisper or a subtle headline. On that day, every knee—whether bowed in worship or trembling in judgment—will bend before Him. 

The one who was humiliated for our sake is now elevated to the highest place. Every angel in heaven, every demon under the earth, and every person on earth will have to acknowledge the unchangeable truth: Jesus Christ is Lord. 

For those who have rejected Him, this truth is a harsh reality. The one they ignored, mocked, or dismissed will be the one before whom they fall. For those that have believed in him, this truth is a glorious reality.  The one that was mocked and crucified will welcome them into heaven.

This passage is not only a warning; it is an invitation.

Because Jesus died and rose, those who trust in Him bow in worship, not in fear. His name is not just high and exalted—it is near and saving. Scripture says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13). His exalted name is our hope and our peace.

To bow now is to fall into the arms of a Savior who stooped to serve us, suffer for us and to save us. This is the heart of the gospel: The One who has the highest name is the One who took our place.

So how do we live in light of this truth?

• Bow in Worship: Make exalting the name of Jesus the focus of your life. Worship Him regularly, not just in song, but in your decisions, your words, your relationships. Let His name shape your identity.
• Bow in Obedience: Recognize that following Christ means laying down your own name. Our life becomes guided by the direction of Christ, not our own self-glory. 
• Bow in Witness: We live in a world filled with people who don’t yet know Jesus. We honor the name of Jesus by sharing his name with others. Hold out the gospel with love and truth!
• Bow in Hope: If you feel discouraged by how broken the world is, remember, Christ is already exalted. The future is sure. Justice will be done. Knees will bow. And in Him, we wait with hope.

Apply: What does it look like for you today to bow in worship and exalt the name of Jesus?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are exalted to the highest place. Your name is above every name. Help me to bow today in humility and joy, and live to make Your name great in my words, my thoughts, and my actions. Amen.