“Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:14-15, 18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul did not solicit assistance from unbelievers, but he did let Christ followers know his needs. If we assume someone else will give when we ourselves do not give our missionaries can suffer greatly. When you and I donate our resources generously to further the gospel through those who step out in faith it truly is an offering which pleases the Lord.🚦

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4, 8-9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Paul’s instructions make it clear contentment and peace are the result of a regular practice of rejoicing and giving thanks. Just as we learned our multiplication tables in school through repetition, you and I can retrain our brains to a state of peace and contentment through consistently looking for the good in any situation and giving thanks to God.

Challenge: Get a journal and every single day start by writing down three things you are thankful for, no matter how big or small. After a month or two you will notice a change in your outlook.🚦

Recently I lamented the loss of the use of hymnals in church. As much as I enjoy contemporary worship music, my soul longs for the richness of familiar hymns which provide comfort and wisdom, connecting me with the saints who came before me.

“Blessed Assurance” is one such reminder of the Spirit given us as a glimpse of the glory awaiting the true followers of Christ Jesus. 🚦

#BlessedAssurance #GreatHymnsOfTheFaith #SundaySpin #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

If you’ve ever known a fellow believer you just could not get along with, someone you know loves Jesus and has many admirable qualities, but you can’t talk to them without some level of contention, you may sympathize with Euodia and Syntyche. These women worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Paul to share the gospel, but it seems they rubbed each other the wrong way. While we are not asked to be best friends with everyone who calls themselves Christian, we are called to be in unity of Spirit for the cause of Christ. Petty differences and disagreements can interfere with your personal or corporate witness and may give the devil a foothold. As we put one another before ourselves, and the cross before all, disparities fall aside.🚦

#JustGetAlong #UnityInChrist #PutOthersBeforeYourself #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in a new way of life.“ When Christ washes us spiritually we get to experience the power of His resurrection conquering over the stranglehold of sin in our lives. Who DOESN’T want to feel that kind of power?

It’s the second half of the equation,— “participation in his sufferings”—we like to sweep under the rug. In a world which lauds dynamism, Christ followers are often called to a path of bold suffering. If we walk where Jesus walked, we may be scourged.🚦

#BoldSuffering #WalkWhereJesusWalked #ParticipateInHisSufferings #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Each day we interact with many people, whether in face-to-face or otherwise. May we consider each contact an important opportunity to use our words and actions to share the Light of Jesus in a dark and increasingly desperate world. You don’t need to wait for others to speak to you first; reach out, then make the most of every connection.🚦

#BeTheLight #EveryPersonMatters #PeopleMatterToGod #SeasonedWithSalt #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

When standing strong against the direct attack of an enemy, one defensive tactic Roman armies used was to flank each other, kneeling side by side with their shields in front, overlapping one another to create a strong barrier.

You and I were never meant to walk the Christian life alone; God made us for community. In a group of like-minded believers we can find the strength, encouragement and accountability needed to stand strong in a world that would like nothing more than to see us fall. Do you have a band of brothers or sisters who support you?🚦

#ACordOf3StrandsIsNotEasilyBroken #Flanking #Community #StandStrongInTheFaith #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A fresh start, a clean slate. A new year always seems ripe with possibility—a new beginning, a chance to resolve, once more, to stop a bad habit and start a good one…until 2 days or 2 weeks into that new year when you find you’ve blown that promise to yourself.

It’s good to know with Christ every day is New Year’s Day! He offers forgiveness and new life every single day. The opportunity to walk in Spirit and unity with Him is there every moment of every day. Why not start now? 🚦

#NewYearNewYou #EveryDayIsANewDay #NewCreationInChrist #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

Have you been listening to God this morning? Fairfield Four will get you inspired!

Tell me what book you are studying in or what Bible study you are currently doing. I am reading in Philippians and about to start an Old Testament survey. 🚦

#FairfieldFour #SundaySpin #BibleStudy #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“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 as you hold firmly to the word of life.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:14-16a‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love to watch DIY programs about home remodeling. (Watch, not do!) They make it look so easy to do projects such as laying tile. But have you ever seen a tile floor that was not done the right way? Maybe the wrong substrate was used over the subfloor, and the tile gets cracks. Spacers were not used, so the spacing is uneven. Or maybe one tile was a little out of line, setting off the rest of the tile to follow.

Serving God with a glad and contented heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to do the good in you, sets a strong foundation for the rest of the work He wants to do in you. Do not let bitterness and resentment find a home in you, causing cracks in your spiritual life. Instead, let Him who started this work in you complete it to His glory by holding fast to the life-giving truth of the gospel so that His handiwork shines through you. 🚦