As He leads and empowers us, we can accomplish much more than we could ever do on our own

Dear Lord, open our hearts and our minds to the power of Your Word, which as we read, we may know, understand, and obey Your Word for us today.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.  (Author unknown)

Click on the following link for helpful topics and previous posts: https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – Friday, April 26, 2024

For more Helpful Inspirational Material:

May you find comfort, encouragement, guidance, hope, inspiration, love, and peace – https://helpfulinspirationalblog.wordpress.com/. May you also find answers to your question(s) through the Scriptures that address every situation you face, and help with your problems.  Deb ♥

Today’s daily reading:

[As He leads and empowers us, we can accomplish much more than we could ever do on our own]

SERVING TOGETHER IN JESUS

Scripture reading:

The Philippians shared in Paul’s financial support while he was in prison.  (NLT)

Philippians 4:14-20 – Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia.  No other church did this.  Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once.  I don’t say this because I want a gift from you.  Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.

At the moment I have all I need—and more I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus.  They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God.  And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever!  Amen.

Today’s story is by:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

You sent me aid more than once when I was in need.  –Philippians 4:16

Rescue workers cooperated to help three men stranded on an island in Micronesia.  Teamwork was necessary because a widespread health crisis required them to limit their exposure to each other.  The pilot who first spotted the castaways radioed a nearby Australian Navy ship.  The ship sent two helicopters which provided food, water, and medical care.  Later, the US Coast Guard arrived to check on the men and deliver a radio.  Finally, a Micronesian patrol boat taxied them to their destination.

We can accomplish a lot when we work together.  The Philippian believers pooled their efforts to support the apostle Paul.  Lydia and her family welcomed him into their home (Acts 16:13-15¹).  Clement and even Euodia and Syntyche (who didn’t get along) all worked directly with the apostle to spread the good news (Philippians 4:2-3²).  Later, when Paul was imprisoned in Rome, the church gathered essentials for a care package and delivered it via Epaphroditus (v. 14-18).  Perhaps most importantly, the Philippians prayed for him throughout his ministry (1:19³).

The examples of believers serving together in this ancient church can inspire us today.  Cooperating with fellow believers to pray and serve others as God leads and empowers us accomplishes much more than we could ever do on our own.  It has been said, “Individually, we are one drop.  Together we are an ocean.”

[If you would like to journal, reflect, meditate, or pray on today’s reading:]

– When have you served well with other believers in Jesus?

– What’s the basis for the spiritual bond you share with them?

Prayer: Dear God, please show me how to join with others who are serving You.

Scripture reference:

¹) Acts 16:13-15 – On the Sabbath we went a little way outside the city to a riverbank, where we thought people would be meeting for prayer, and we sat down to speak with some women who had gathered there.  One of them was Lydia from Thyatira, a merchant of expensive purple cloth, who worshiped God.  As she listened to us, the Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying. She and her household were baptized, and she asked us to be her guests.  “If you agree that I am a true believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my home.”  And she urged us until we agreed.

²) Philippians 4:2-3 – Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche.  Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement.  And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News.  They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.

³) Paul’s prayer is that God would cause the cardinal Christian virtue of love to abound more and more . . . so that the Philippians’ love would find expression in wise actions that would truly benefit others and glorify God.  (ESV)

Philippians 1:9 – And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment

https://odb.org/2024/04/26/serving-together-2

Here is the link for Our Daily Bread website: https://odb.org/