55-Day Devotional Journey – Day 3
June 3, 2025 (Tuesday)
Scripture:
“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 1:7-11 (ESV)
Reflection:
Paul not only had the joy in the objective fact that the believers shared the Lord's grace with him when he was in chains and defended the gospel (v.7), but he also continued to use words such as "thoughts", "longings", and "always in my heart" in verses 7 and 8 to express his passionate relationship with the believers who worked together with him in the gospel partnership. which is a positive action that combines sensibility and rationality. This passion of longing was further manifested in his prayer that the love of the Philippians would continue to grow as they increase in spiritual knowledge and in discerning truly beautiful things. The purpose is for them to be honest and blameless and be filled with the fruit of righteousness through the Lord, ultimately bringing glory and praise to God.
We are grateful for the many servants of the Lord who have longed for us and cared for us over the past 55 years in NYCBC, and who have encouraged and nurtured us with the truth. Many of our retired pastors and their wives still convey their passion and hope for us through videos. Let us follow the example of the Philippians and take positive actions, combining emotion and reason to carry on the mission flame. Let us also care about and pray for the spiritual growth of others so that everyone’s love will continue to grow as they increase in the knowledge and discernment of the truth, and ultimately bear the fruit of righteousness in Christ to glorify God.
Reflection Question:
Paul prays that the Philippians' love would abound more and more. We are called to grow in knowledge and discernment as we carry on the mission flame. How can you pray for others to grow in Christ?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for giving us such a beautiful blueprint for gospel partnership, which has been experienced by both the Philippians and NYCBC. At this moment, please give me a heart to long for my pastors and brothers and sisters. I earnestly pray that our love will not only grow, but grow in spiritual knowledge and in discernment of truly beautiful things, such that we may bear spiritual fruit, fulfill the mission, and glorify your name!
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
By Pastor Lionel Lam