Philippians 3:1

Scripture:

Philippians 3:1 “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.” (NASB)

Observation:

I have a friend who has unbelievable joy in his life. He is always happy and praising God for life. The fact that he has faced over 450 cancer surgeries is not something that gets him down but lifts him up. He knows God gets him through each challenge. I often see him raising his arms in praise of God. Recently, they had to remove his left hand; yet he raises his stump in praise of God. He sees going in for more surgeries as a chance to share Christ. The doctors are amazed and Jesus touches lives through Tom. Now to me that’s joy—to seek out true joy in the Lord no matter what we face, to release things in our life over to Him and let the Joy IN HIM fill our beings. Coming to Christ and having joy does not mean that we will not have difficulties, but we will have difficulties with help. Nothing that we face can compare to the glory that awaits each and every one of us who love God. May the JOY of the Lord be with you today and always. No matter what we face!  

Application:

• Personal Application: Continue spending time with the Lord daily. Sow righteousness and reap the fruit of God's unfailing love. 
• Family Devotional: Read this chapter to your family. Ask them if anything spoke to them as you read. Talk about their answers and show them that one important aspect of this chapter is that we must continue to spend time with the Lord and keep our hearts focused on His plans and purposes. Pray for them.

TOM SEMBER has been involved in ministering to men for over 20 years. He is an ordained minister with the AG in the NY Ministry Network. Tom lives with his wife, Carolyn, and children in New York. You can connect with Tom on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.