Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 2:19-30. Here is a link to the entire Scripture followed by a quote of the verses on which we will focus.
“19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
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25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
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29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.”
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Earlier in this chapter, Paul instructed us: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4. Here in today’s Scripture, he praises Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of those who were genuinely concerned with the welfare of others. “Receive him (Epaphroditus) then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard”. Verse 29.
I am blessed to have a friend like that. He calls me to “check up on me”. He does not only look out for his own interests, but he also looks out for my interests. He is genuinely concerned about my welfare. He deserves my welcome, respect, and high regards. There are those whom you know who do likewise for you. They deserve your welcome, respect, and high regards. In a word, we should encourage them.
Deuteronomy 3:28
“But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.’”
“But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.’”
1 Samuel 23:16
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.”
“And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God.”
2 Chronicles 35:2
“He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.”
“He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.”
Acts 18:27
“And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,”
“And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace,”
1 Corinthians 16:12
“But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.”
“But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.”
Colossians 4:11
“and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”
“and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.”
Hebrews 3:13
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 