Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 10; Philippians 1
“To live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21 ESV
To live is Christ. To die is gain.
The world shouts, “Pursue riches. Pursue fame. Pursue power and beauty and praise. Take it easy. Enjoy life. You do you. Do what makes you happy. YOLO.”
But the Lord cries, “Pursue what makes for peace and building others up. (Romans 14:19) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11) Work hard. Enjoy Me. Be conformed to My likeness. Do what makes Me happy. YOLO.”
Whose voice am I listening to?
Oh, Heavenly Father, I only live once. It has been appointed for me to one day die and to stand before Your throne. Teach me to number my days that I might have a heart of wisdom. Give me the humility I need to count others more significant than myself, to look out for the interests of others. Make my faith firm and unwavering, that I can utter these words with complete conviction, “To live is Christ. To die is gain.” In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lamb who was slain, the One who is Worthy to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. Amen.
See: Hebrews 9:27, Psalm 90:12, Revelation 5:12
My Worth is Not in What I Own (with Chinese subtitles) – Keith and Kristyn Getty
What does Paul mean by “To Live is Christ but to Die is Gain?” – Drive Thru History
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 9, Philippians 1
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
Philippians 1:1-11 ESV
I love Paul’s humility as he opens this letter. “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ” — not “Paul, the one chosen by God to spread the gospel throughout the world, and Timothy my little brother,” nor “Paul, a servant of Christ, and Timothy, my disciple.”
Then, I noticed Paul’s subtle encouragement for humility on the part of his readers as well. Paul is writing this letter to all the saints in Philippi along with the overseers and deacons. He isn’t writing to the overseers and deacons and then telling them, “Hey, share this info with those other saints among you.”
When Paul says in verse 3, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,” expressing his gratitude that they have been partners in the gospel – in receiving the gospel and in sharing the gospel – he’s not just writing (or even primarily writing) to the elders, deacons, evangelists, and pastors. He’s writing to each and every believer in the body of Christ at Philippi. Each one of them are his partner because each of them (each of us) are partakers with Paul of God’s grace (verse 7). Paul wants each one of them to know how much he loves them, and how much he wants them to abound with more and more love, knowledge, and discernment.
My dear friends, my sisters, my fellow servants of Jesus Christ, I echo Paul’s words. I want you to know all this, too! Whether you’re a 95-year-old great grandmother who has been studying the Bible verse by verse since you were “knee high to a grasshopper,” or you are a brand new believer reading Philippians for the first time, I am thankful for your partnership in the gospel. I want you to know the Word better … so that you will know God better … so that you will love Him more and glorify Him better. I want you to have deeper knowledge of the Lord so that you may accurately discern what is excellent and what is evil, so that your heart and your life may be pure when you meet Jesus face-to-face and so that the watching world will see your good works and be drawn to give glory and praise to God.
I love how each of Paul’s words seem to pour into the next, like a stream rolling over a series of rocks until finally being deposited into the deep, wide, quiet lake of the glory and praise to God.
I want you to know how much I love you, how thankful I am for you, how often I pray for you,
that you would love God more,
that you would know Him more,
that you would be able to easily recognize what is good and what is not,
that you may be pure and blameless, full of righteous fruits … to the glory and praise of God.
That’s the end goal. The end goal isn’t about you, your happiness and holiness, your comfort and peace. The end goal is that God would be praise and glorified. And the irony in that is that your joy is ultimately found in bringing God glory. I am never happier than when I am in the fellowship of other believers, worshipping the Lord together in song and prayer and Bible study.
I wonder – Do you have any sisters and brothers who are your partners in the gospel? If so, have you told them how much they mean to you? If not, let me encourage you to find them … now. Find a local body of believers. Join a small group of women (or men) who pray for each other. Study the Bible with a few other sisters.
If you’re not familiar with Community Bible Study, check into them. They have groups all over the world. If you’re in the Memphis area, I invite you to join the Collierville, Tennessee group. We meet in person on Wednesday mornings or online on Thursday evenings.
Thank You, Heavenly Father, for each faithful partner in the gospel that You have put into my life. Some of them live just minutes away from me, while others live on the other side of the world. Thank You for each one of them, from the newest believer to the most seasoned saint. I pray that their love will abound more and more, with knowledge and discernment, that they may approve what is excellent and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory of praise of Your Name! In the Blessed and Holy Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
“Christus Victor (Amen)” – Keith & Kristyn Getty
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Read through the Bible in a Year: Proverbs 8; Philippians 1-4
As our children grow and even start families of their own, our role as prayer warrior grows, too!
Do you have children? Grandchildren? Make it your ambition and joy to pray for them.
Heavenly Father, I lift my family before You. Bless them with Your grace and peace. Make us partners in sharing the gospel. Begin – and complete – Your good work in them. May their love abound more and more day by day, with all knowledge and discernment, that they may know what is excellent and true, and so be found pure and blameless when Christ returns. I pray that they will be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of Your name.
I pray that they will have confidence and boldness to share the truth of the gospel without fear. May the manner of their lives be worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Whether we are together or apart, help us to stand firm in one spirit, having one mind, that we might strive mightily and fearlessly side by side, spreading the good news of salvation by faith wherever we go.
I pray that each member of my family would be humble in heart and mind, free from selfish ambition or conceit, looking out not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others, counting others more significant than themselves. Make them into the image of Christ who humbled Himself from the beginning to the end of His life.
May they do all things without grumbling or complaining, children of God without blemish, shining brightly in the midst of a dark, twisted world, holding fast to the Word of Life.
I pray that they would rejoice in the Lord in all things, forgetting the things that lie in their past, and pressing on toward Jesus Christ, their greatest treasure and prize. Keep their lives from anxiety, worry, and fear. May they be filled with gratitude, praying always and about everything, that Your perfect peace will guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
I pray that their lives would be kept free from idolatry, that their minds would be fixed on eternal matters and that they would remember that their citizenship is in heaven. Help them to be discerning and to think about what they’re thinking about. Teach them that great secret of contentment, so that they can be joyful in plenty or in want, for they trust that they can do whatever You’ve called them to do through Jesus Christ who gives them strength. Supply their every physical and spiritual need according to Your immeasurable riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Finally, Father, I pray that I might be a godly example for them, that they might put into practice what they have learned and heard and seen in my own life. Make my life a fragrant offering, a living sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to You. You are worthy.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and our Lord, I pray. Amen.
Philippians Chapter 1 – IC The Garden
Philippians 4 – Celebrate God – Project of Love
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 7; Philippians 1-4
This is the first short book of the Bible in my “Read through the Bible in 2 Years” plan. I suggest that you first read the entire book in one sitting as though you’d just received a letter from a friend you haven’t seen in years. Then, each day of this week, really meditate on just a little bit at a time.
Have you ever tried memorizing a whole book of the Bible? I haven’t. I’ve memorized several chapters, such as Psalm 139 and 1 Corinthians 13, but never a whole book. Philippians would be a great book to memorize from beginning to end. I’ve already memorized most of chapters 2 and 4 along with a smattering of other verses from this book. Maybe I should try memorizing the whole thing! Here are some great reasons why and tips to memorize an entire book of the bible.
One great way to work toward memorizing is to record yourself reading, then listen to it while you’re walking. So, I recorded the whole book myself. You’re welcome to listen to me – or try it yourself! By the way, I use the ESV translation if you’d like to read along.
Philippians 1-4 ESV
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 6, Numbers 35-36
“These six cities shall be for refuge for the people of Israel, and for the stranger and for the sojourner among them, that anyone who kills any person without intent may flee there. But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. Or if he struck him down with a wooden tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.” – Numbers 35:15-18 ESV
Intent matters. God knows our hearts. He knows our intentions. He knows when we mean to be mean. He knows when a day’s stewing has turned into an evening’s spewing, and He knows when a harsh word was spoken thoughtlessly with no ill will.
And yet, even accidents have consequences and penalties. Like Jesus said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,” (Matthew 12:36 ESV)
You can’t unsqueeze an orange, and you can’t put toothpaste back into the tube.
Running a stop sign because you’re replying to a text or speeding down the highway because you’re late for work, cursing at your son or screaming hateful words at your husband, can have life-altering effects for you and others. Let’s be careful stewards of how we live and how we speak.
Heavenly Father, Help us to be good stewards of every breath and every minute You give us. Give us the strength and wisdom we need to think before we speak or act. Let us not murder in our thoughts, words, or deeds. Let us not revile in return, but rather help us to overcome evil with good. Let us fight fire with the living water of Your word. Help us forgive others, remembering how much we have been forgiven. May we be holy as You are holy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, we pray. Amen.
Jesus Paid it All – Joey & Rory
Part 1 of a 5-part series on “Reviling”
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 5, Numbers 33-34
“And the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you and destroy all their figured stones and destroy all their metal images and demolish all their high places. And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given the land to you to possess it. You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit. But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.”
Numbers 33:50-56 ESV
Two years ago when I originally published a YouTube video based on the Aaronic Prayer of Blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, within 24 hours I received a comment from an atheist accusing God of committing genocide and demanding young virgins as war booty to serve in his temple.
I continued to think about his comments as I read chapter by chapter through Numbers. I didn’t want to read the scriptures through the lenses of my own bias or preconceived notions. I want to have eyes and ears that search for the truth. So, what is it?
Is the God of the Bible a genocidal murderer, cruelly wiping out whole nations?
Is He a sadist, getting pleasure out of inflicting pain?
Or is He the holy, loving, good Father that I believe Him to be?
Friends, it’s so important to read the Bible – or any book for that matter – in context. Just like you could carefully cut one sentence from my blog and twist it to say something totally different than what I truly meant, likewise a person can take a sentence from the Bible to mean something totally different from what God is actually communicating.
Here in Numbers 33, we read about God’s command for the Israelites to completely drive out and wipe out the inhabitants of the land. God knows the future of the men, women, and children currently living in Canaan as well as the future of the Israelites that He is bringing in to possess the land. God knows that the Canaanites will not repent. God knows they will be thorns and barbs to the Jewish people, leading them into idolatry and immorality.
God always wants for His glory, but He also wants for His people’s good. The Lord truly is “a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:6-7)
The Lord’s blessings extend to the thousands. His forgiveness is boundless. But our sin does have consequences – upon our own lives and even down to our children, grandchildren, and great grand children. We see this again and again in the story of these faithless, complaining Israelites – as well as in our own modern lives.
So, you can read Numbers and decide that God is a cruel tyrant … or you can read Numbers and walk away more sure than ever that God is a just, faithful, forgiving, patient Father. What did you decide?
Heavenly Father, I pray for those who have been hurt by the church, who have gotten glimpses of your truth but have chosen to turn away from Your grace. Please, Father, bring them back to You and have mercy on them. Just like the Israelites who tested You time and again with their complaints, for the sake of Your Glorious Name, remember Your children. In the Name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Your Grace is Enough – Martin Chalk Worship Session
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I just loved reading Numbers 32 about how Moses handled this situation with the people of Gad and Reuben who wanted to stay on the east of the Jordan rather than crossing over.
Moses explained how he felt.
Moses remained calm.
Moses asked questions.
Moses shared his own personal experience.
Moses didn’t hide his faith.
Moses listened with an open mind to the other side of the argument.
And as a result, Moses helped everyone come to a mutually agreeable, God-honoring compromise.
Lord, I want to be a Peace-maker … not a Peace-faker – burying my head in the sand and letting bitterness fester in my heart … not a Peace-breaker – making selfish demands, storming and sulking, spewing angry words like lava. Help me to know when to speak up and when to guard my mouth with a muzzle. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. I want to be Your servant, correcting my opponent with gentleness and respect, pursuing peace, being an ambassador for Your kingdom rather than my own.In the Name of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, I pray. Amen.
I hope you’ll check out Ken Sande’s book The Peacemaker and his new ministry “Relational Wisdom 360” (RW360) for wise, practical help in being a peacemaker.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 3, Numbers 29-31
On December 23, 1994, I vowed before God and a room full of witnesses to remain faithful to my husband until parted by death.
It’s been 30 years now and by God’s grace I’ve kept that vow, through sickness and health, good times and bad. Today, after reading Numbers 30 about a woman making vows, I wanted to write here the actual words of those vows that I wrote and uttered. I pray they would remind me (and you) of the solemnity of the marriage covenant.
Before God and these witnesses,
I vow to be your partner, your dearest friend, and your wife.
I promise to love, trust, and respect you.
I will love you in sickness & in health, in good times and in bad.
I will share with you my joys and sorrows, my hopes and dreams.
I promise to challenge you spiritually and encourage you in our Christian walk together.
I will put you first in my life, knowing that our love is my most precious possession.
I promise that the home we are founding today will be a sanctuary of love, honor, and faith.
I pledge myself now to be ever faithful to you with all my body, mind, heart, and soul.
All that I am, and all that I ever will be is yours.
Today is the beginning of the rest of my life.
I will love you for today and all of our tomorrows.
Heavenly Father, I need Your strength to remain faithful. I can’t do it on my own. In my own flesh, I’m more like a dog chasing squirrels than like Horton the faithful elephant. I need Your help, Father. Help me to be a humble helpmate. Help me to be patient and kind. Help me not to be irritable and resentful. Help me to forgive and trust and persevere. I pray that my husband and I would be found faithful – faithful to each other and faithful to You – pointing a lost world to You, the only One who is faithful one-hundred percent. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen .
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 2; Numbers 27-28
The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin when the congregation quarreled, failing to uphold me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)
Moses spoke to the LORD, saying, “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.”
Numbers 27:12-17 ESV
In yesterday’s post, I wrote about godly jealousy – being jealous for the Lord’s honor and affection, rather than your own. Today, reading Moses’s humble response to the Lord’s pronouncement that he would not enter the promised land because of his earlier disobedience, I was again convicted about how often I’m more concerned with my own honor than my Lord’s.
Moses could’ve complained, “Lord, that’s not fair. I’ve worked so hard. I’ve led these people for all these years. I’ve tried my best. Why take away this blessing just because of one little mistake?”
Moses could’ve argued, “Lord, You’re wrong. You have forgotten all the good things I’ve done, all the times that I’ve obeyed. I quit! You can find somebody else to lead these horrible people.”
Moses could’ve made his own suggestions, “Ok, Lord, I get it. I’m awfully old, and I don’t have many years left. Thankfully I have these two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Surely, You will choose one of them to lead the Israelites into this promised land.”
But he didn’t do any of those things. Rather he humbly asks the Lord to “appoint a man over the congregation who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be as sheep that have no shepherd.” He put into practice the words of Philippians 2:3-4 and so should we.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
Heavenly Father, I pray that You would make me more like Moses, loving You and loving others, submitting humbly to Your will for me and those I love. Increase my faith. Help me to remember that You are on Your throne, working all things together for good for those who love You and have been called according to Your purposes. Help me to remember that all too often the way that seems right to me is actually the way to death. I want to want what You want because Your way is always the best way. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Philippians 2:3-4 Scripture Song by David Talaguit
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Proverbs 1; Numbers 25-26
While Israel lived in Shittim, the people began to whore with the daughters of Moab. These invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel yoked himself to Baal of Peor. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel….
And the LORD said to Moses, “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them, so that I did not consume the people of Israel in my jealousy. Therefore say, ‘Behold, I give to him my covenant of peace, and it shall be to him and to his descendants after him the covenant of a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the people of Israel.’”
Numbers 25:1-3, 10-13 ESV
Usually jealousy is closely tied to covetousness, which is a sin. We’re jealous of someone’s marriage, children, house, job, appearance, whatever… We want what they have. In some way or other, some other person has it better than us, and we’re not happy about it.
But what about righteous jealousy? What about being jealous for your husband’s honor, or affection? Is it right to turn a deaf ear to someone slandering your husband’s name? Would a godly wife look the other way while some woman flirts with her husband … Or what if she sees her husband holding hands with his secretary?
Likewise, it is only right for us to be jealous for our Heavenly Father’s honor and affection.
How should we feel if we see a brother or sister in Christ smearing the Lord’s reputation through the dirt, chasing after idols and smut? What about when we hear someone spreading lies about our Lord Jesus?
I’m afraid we’re nothing more than selfish cowards when we close our eyes, ears, and mouths to someone slandering our great Savior’s name.
Our Gracious Father God says, “you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14) In perfect righteousness, the Lord “yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us.” (James 4:5) Certainly, we need to not sin in our jealousy for our Lord’s Name. Surely, we need to speak the truth in love, having words full of grace and seasoned with salt, not repaying wrong with wrong but overcoming evil with good, but let’s look more like God’s spotless bride and less like the world’s.
I pray that our hearts would be free from selfish jealousy, envy, and covetousness, while remaining full of zealous love for our Savior’s honor, reputation, and affection.
Heavenly Father, You have loved me with a fervent, faithful love. Help me to love You back with that same kind of pursuing passion and devotion. I pray that my heart and life would be free of covetousness which is idolatry. I want to love what You love and hate what You hate. I want to be transformed by the renewing of my mind that I may be conformed into the image of Your Perfect Son. In the Holy, Righteous Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
One Pure and Holy Passion – Amy Nobles
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Teach What is Good 
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