Philippians 1: 1-10

1 This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons. 2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

how often do we send an email? I don't know about you.. but I send LOTS of emails daily... can you imagine if we included in them.. may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace... what I am meaning is.. what if we prayed peace and grace on every person we email or text through the day... even if they didn't know it... if we just prayed for them before we press send... wonder what impact that would have on the world around us...

3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 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.

thankfully... God continues to work in us.. despite our flaws and failures.. He continues to pick us up and speak life back into us...

7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 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. 11 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.

I also pray that we will continue to grow in love and in knowledge... to understand what really matters... time is a true teacher... think back to who you were 5 years ago... and how you thought... I can honestly say.. I have come a long way baby... I am not at all the same person I was in the past.. my mind is renewed praise God... I think completely differently... my first thought no longer is a negative one... that by itself is a truly amazing act of God.... may you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation.... a righteous character... so that we can bring glory and praise to God... I pray that for each of us.... I am sure God will be faithful and continue to change us.... for His glory and honor...