....December 6th
Today’s Reading: Philippians 1–4**
Scripture Focus
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—
the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—
for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Philippians 1:10–11 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Isn’t it amazing that Paul writes these words from prison—chained to a guard, limited, confined, suffering—yet his heart is overflowing with joy, hope, and confidence in Christ?
He isn’t focused on his chains at all.
Instead, he’s focused on what is most precious to him, and what he wants us to treasure too:
“Understand what really matters.”
The Christian life is not just about believing something once…
it is about the work of salvation being lived out in us every day.
Paul shows us that salvation produces fruit—not because we’re strong, but because Jesus is alive in us.
So today, we look at Philippians and ask:
What does a life look like when Jesus is really producing His fruit in us?
What does salvation look like when it becomes visible?
⸻
The Fruit of Salvation in Philippians
Here are the fruits Paul highlights—what grows naturally in a woman who belongs to Jesus:
1. Confidence in God’s Work (1:6)
You trust that God is continually shaping you, correcting you, strengthening you, and finishing what He started.
You’re not hopeless… because you know God never gives up on His daughters.
2. Discernment — Knowing What Really Matters (1:10)
The saved life is not distracted or tossed around.
It learns to sift through life and cling to what’s eternal.
3. Overflowing Love (1:9)
Love becomes deeper, wiser, purer—not fleshly love, but Christlike love that chooses others above self.
4. Joy That Circumstances Cannot Steal (2:17–18; 4:4)
Paul teaches joy from a prison cell.
The fruit of salvation is joy that survives pressure, disappointment, and hardship.
“Rejoice in the Lord always.”
5. Humility Like Christ (2:3–8)
We turn away from pride, entitlement, and self-focus.
We adopt the mind of Christ—serving, lowering ourselves, obeying God even when it costs us.
6. Obedience From the Heart (2:12–13)
God works in us the desire and the power to do His will.
Saved people want to please God—He plants that desire inside.
7. A Life Free of Grumbling and Arguing (2:14–15)
A heart saved by grace learns to respond differently.
We stop complaining, and instead we shine like lights in a dark world.
8. Pressing Forward — Not Giving Up (3:12–14)
Faith gives you a new mindset:
I’m not staying stuck. I’m pressing toward Jesus.
This is the fruit of hope—forward movement.
9. A Mind Fixed on Truth (4:8–9)
We stop feeding our minds with darkness.
We choose what is true, noble, pure, lovely, praiseworthy.
This fruit brings the peace of God into our lives.
10. Contentment in Every Season (4:11–13)
Paul learned it. We learn it too.
Saved people aren’t ruled by circumstances—they rest in Christ’s strength.
⸻
Lesson for Me
If I belong to Jesus, my life will show it—not perfectly, but progressively.
The fruit Paul describes is not something I produce on my own.
It is the righteous character Jesus produces inside of me.
And that fruit brings glory and praise to God.
So I ask myself:
•Am I letting Him continue the work?
•Am I yielding to His shaping?
•Am I holding onto what really matters… or am I distracted by what doesn’t?
The same Jesus who began the work will finish the work.
My part is to stay surrendered.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Which fruit from Philippians do I see growing in my life right now? Which one is God inviting me to grow in?
2.What distractions is the Lord asking me to let go of so I can “understand what really matters”?
3.What situation in my life is God using to teach me joy, humility, or contentment?
4.Am I resisting any part of God’s “good work” in me right now? Why?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord Jesus, thank You that You began a good work in me and You will finish it.
Produce Your fruit in my life—joy, love, humility, discernment, obedience, peace, and contentment.
Help me to understand what really matters and to live in a way that brings glory and praise to You.
Shape my heart today. Make me more like You.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask Him:
“Lord, what fruit are You growing in me right now? What do You want to change or strengthen?”
Write down whatever He shows you.
Today’s Reading: Philippians 1–4**
Scripture Focus
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you,
will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Philippians 1:6
“For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—
the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—
for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”
Philippians 1:10–11 NLT
⸻
Reflection
Isn’t it amazing that Paul writes these words from prison—chained to a guard, limited, confined, suffering—yet his heart is overflowing with joy, hope, and confidence in Christ?
He isn’t focused on his chains at all.
Instead, he’s focused on what is most precious to him, and what he wants us to treasure too:
“Understand what really matters.”
The Christian life is not just about believing something once…
it is about the work of salvation being lived out in us every day.
Paul shows us that salvation produces fruit—not because we’re strong, but because Jesus is alive in us.
So today, we look at Philippians and ask:
What does a life look like when Jesus is really producing His fruit in us?
What does salvation look like when it becomes visible?
⸻
The Fruit of Salvation in Philippians
Here are the fruits Paul highlights—what grows naturally in a woman who belongs to Jesus:
1. Confidence in God’s Work (1:6)
You trust that God is continually shaping you, correcting you, strengthening you, and finishing what He started.
You’re not hopeless… because you know God never gives up on His daughters.
2. Discernment — Knowing What Really Matters (1:10)
The saved life is not distracted or tossed around.
It learns to sift through life and cling to what’s eternal.
3. Overflowing Love (1:9)
Love becomes deeper, wiser, purer—not fleshly love, but Christlike love that chooses others above self.
4. Joy That Circumstances Cannot Steal (2:17–18; 4:4)
Paul teaches joy from a prison cell.
The fruit of salvation is joy that survives pressure, disappointment, and hardship.
“Rejoice in the Lord always.”
5. Humility Like Christ (2:3–8)
We turn away from pride, entitlement, and self-focus.
We adopt the mind of Christ—serving, lowering ourselves, obeying God even when it costs us.
6. Obedience From the Heart (2:12–13)
God works in us the desire and the power to do His will.
Saved people want to please God—He plants that desire inside.
7. A Life Free of Grumbling and Arguing (2:14–15)
A heart saved by grace learns to respond differently.
We stop complaining, and instead we shine like lights in a dark world.
8. Pressing Forward — Not Giving Up (3:12–14)
Faith gives you a new mindset:
I’m not staying stuck. I’m pressing toward Jesus.
This is the fruit of hope—forward movement.
9. A Mind Fixed on Truth (4:8–9)
We stop feeding our minds with darkness.
We choose what is true, noble, pure, lovely, praiseworthy.
This fruit brings the peace of God into our lives.
10. Contentment in Every Season (4:11–13)
Paul learned it. We learn it too.
Saved people aren’t ruled by circumstances—they rest in Christ’s strength.
⸻
Lesson for Me
If I belong to Jesus, my life will show it—not perfectly, but progressively.
The fruit Paul describes is not something I produce on my own.
It is the righteous character Jesus produces inside of me.
And that fruit brings glory and praise to God.
So I ask myself:
•Am I letting Him continue the work?
•Am I yielding to His shaping?
•Am I holding onto what really matters… or am I distracted by what doesn’t?
The same Jesus who began the work will finish the work.
My part is to stay surrendered.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Which fruit from Philippians do I see growing in my life right now? Which one is God inviting me to grow in?
2.What distractions is the Lord asking me to let go of so I can “understand what really matters”?
3.What situation in my life is God using to teach me joy, humility, or contentment?
4.Am I resisting any part of God’s “good work” in me right now? Why?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord Jesus, thank You that You began a good work in me and You will finish it.
Produce Your fruit in my life—joy, love, humility, discernment, obedience, peace, and contentment.
Help me to understand what really matters and to live in a way that brings glory and praise to You.
Shape my heart today. Make me more like You.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask Him:
“Lord, what fruit are You growing in me right now? What do You want to change or strengthen?”
Write down whatever He shows you.