Read Philippians 1:6 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Discover
To understand the encouragement Paul wrote in today’s verse, it’s helpful to know what led to the founding of the Philippian church. Paul was given a vision that sent him there, he baptized the first Philippian converts after encountering them by the river there, he and his friend Silas were imprisoned after commanding a demon to leave a slave girl there, and an earthquake led to an opportunity to lead their jailer to Christ. (For the full account, read Acts 16:6-34.)
When Paul encouraged the Philippian church, he had seen God do incredible miracles, which gave him confidence to believe that God’s work would continue on. He knew God wasn’t done, and he encouraged his friends to keep going.
This is the kind of encouragement we’re called to give and receive in our own lives. To remember what God has done in our past and then encourage others. God can work in and through every circumstance. Don’t keep this good news to yourself. Be a rebel and share it with someone else.
• Encourage one another. Write down at least one way God has worked in your life in the past, then write down one person who could use encouragement from you today.
Respond
Use your Philippians Guidebook to reflect and respond to today’s reading. For a digital copy of the guidebook, visit tpcc.org/rebels-guide.
Want to go deeper? Look up the following verses for examples of Old Testament psalmists who were encouraged by God’s goodness. Note what you observe and then continue with your time of response.
• Psalm 77:11-12
• Psalm 138:8