Paul had just stated in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” However, in today’s passage he goes on to explain these words in verses 1:22-26. “If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 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 in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”
Paul is torn between the desire to be with Jesus and the desire to be with believers working to spread the gospel and for Christ. Paul doesn’t know what the future holds for him but he rejoices in the assurance that God holds the future! (Sounds like today huh!) He knows that God’s plans can be trusted and are good for him. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Paul also knows how the 
fellowship with other believers, the work of preaching, disciplining and proclaiming Christ is also good. He loves his fellow co-workers and loves seeing their joy in Christ and the glory they all bring to God.
Therefore, Paul is good with either way the future unfolds. He knows he will have joy in either case- death and moving into the presence of God (remember Paul is imprisoned at this point awaiting Caesar’s judgement) or life and continued fellowship and spread of the gospel here on earth.
What about you? Do you trust God with your future? Are you assured of eternal life with Christ as Paul was? I have listed the following verses below for you to mediate upon and claim their truths in your life. I pray they will bring you reassurance: John 3:16, John 3:36, John 6:47, Romans 6:23, 1 John 2:25, 1 John 5:11. (Printed out below)
Today my joy is increased as I know:
- In death I will be with Jesus (verse 23)
- The life I now have in Christ, in faith, is cause for joy. (25)
- Fellowshipping with other believers, working in the cause of Christ brings me joy. (26)
May your joy be solidly rooted in Jesus as you walk in faith and trust in Almighty God.
Linda
John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:36 “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John 6:47 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 2:25 “And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.”
1 John 5:11 “And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
Eternal life with Jesus is a sure thing for the believer. Live like you believe it today!
assured. “
50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Or perhaps his own words given by the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:28 “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Or Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 29:11-12 “
Let your joy be in our Sovereign God today. Trust in Him!
How has Covid-19 affected your witness? Are you more bold like Paul? Do you readily tell others about Jesus in emails, in Zoom meetings, on the phone, etc? Paul was amazed by what God could do with him during his isolation. What about you? How has God amazed you? Has He given you people to contact you haven’t seen in a long time, friends you did not seem to have time to connect with because of your busy schedule that you can take time now to reach out to?
Seeking to live with joy during this time-
“So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News.
“9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.
Joy is renewed and kindled as we work, pray, and serve together! Paul knew that- how about you? Mediate today on your friendships in the Lord and pray for them with a heart filled with love.
This passage reminds me to pray for my fellow believers as they serve in the cause of Christ. They are a blessing to me and those around them. Paul is thankful for these friends and fellow coworkers in Philippi. He gives thanks for their love for Jesus and diligence in spreading the good news of Christ. He is prompted to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for them, and it fills him with joy whenever he does. Paul states emphatically that he knows God will continue this good work in them, using them, keeping them and moving them forward because it is God’s work in them. God is doing the work! All God’s work is good and God will see all things to completion. God does not give up, change His mind or let us down in any way. James 1:17 promises, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”. 
JOY is a byproduct of thankfulness, prayer, salvation and God working within us. Thank you Lord that I can experience these even in the midst of a pandemic. God you are good. Here is a favorite verse of mine- Nahum 1:7 ‘
I want to wish each of you a Happy 4th. The 4th of July is a favorite holiday filled with family BBQ’s, games, swimming, picnicking, corn on the cob, apple pie and fireworks. Even if we are not able to celebrate like we have in the past, we know that the 4th is more than that to each of us. America and the freedom it represents and holds for each of us was bought with a price- sacrifice, hope and struggle by those that went before us and those that labored to secure our freedom. Our struggle over the centuries has been to secure,defend and maintain freedom of religion, peace, prosperity and hope for us and our children. 
Today as you are thankful for America, think also of the greater freedom you have though Christ and say a prayer of Thanks to Jesus.
Let’s seek joy this summer together in Him!
fellow believers. Do you feel that way too? “
Be encouraged and keep on praying. Give you requests to God and He will answer. If you don’t exactly know how to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit to do it for you. Romans 8:27 “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” God is faithful and will answer in His time and in His way. This requires faith, trust and patience as we wait upon God for His perfect answer.
grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
Indwelling Holy Spirit testifying and affirming:
what is to come.
A tangible inheritance in Jesus
