Editors Note: These devotionals are part of a book called '40 days of Jamming with Joy in Jesus' based on the Book of Philippians that the Lord Jesus helped me write through the years. As applicable these devotionals could be updated!

SCRIPTURE:

"Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:1-2, NIV)

EXPOSITION:

Observations: v.1

1. Paul refers to himself as a servant of Christ Jesus.

2. Timothy is referred to as a servant of Christ Jesus.

Interpretation:

It is amazing that Paul introduces himself here as a servant of Christ Jesus. He could have introduced himself as one who is trained thoroughly in the Jewish law, an apostle of Jesus Christ, or even as a saint in Christ Jesus. Yet, Paul acknowledges being a servant to the Lord Jesus Christ, seeing Christ as his Master. It is important to realize that servant and slave can be used interchangeably at times.

I thought about the roles of a servant:

1. A servant should not make up his own rules but is asked to follow the rules of His Master.

2. A servant is asked not cling to his own rights but give them up to be obedient to the Master.

3. A servant is one who serves.

Paul is setting an example right away that he is one that serves the Lord Jesus Christ and sees himself in submission to Christ, His Master no matter what is happening in his life. Timothy starts to imitate Paul by his actions.

Jesus Christ came to serve who was also their Master. Therefore, Paul knows His allegiance belongs to Christ and following His example of servitude.

Application:

It is important to realize that whatever positions we like to hold or be called by, we need to see ourselves as a slave to Christ. This is a radical concept because people don't like to see themselves as slaves.

Observations: v. 1

1. To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.

Observations/Interpretation I:

Paul writes this letter to those who are followers of Jesus Christ. It is interesting that Paul refers to himself as a servant and refers to those receiving the letter as saints.

A saint is one who holds to the teachings of Jesus Christ and follows Jesus as their Lord and Personal Savior each day of their life. A saint is one who has acknowledged that they have been a slave to sin but Jesus Christ went to the cross on their behalf that they might be forgiven of all their sins and be seen as righteous through the eyes of God because of what Jesus did for them.

With that in mind, they turn to Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins and are delivered from being a slave to sin. It is important to realize that a saint in Christ is a slave to Christ. Paul can be seen as a saint though he does not call himself that. We see his humility here.

Observations/Interpretation II:

Paul takes the time to address the overseers and deacons too! His message to the overseers and deacons is the same as the message to all the saints in Christ Jesus that he and Timothy are servants of the Lord. In other letters, he uses slave. He wants the overseers and deacons of the churches they are part of to remember the importance of servant hood and sainthood as they lead their congregations. Servanthood is an attitude all need to develop with the Lord Jesus' help. Sainthood is what is allotted to us because of our surrendering our life to Christ. If we really surrendered our life to Christ then we are saints because that is what God's Word calls us. In essence, we are in the sainthood.

Application:

When people look at your lifestyle, two things should be said:

Wow, that person is really a servant of Jesus Christ.

Wow, that person reminds me of those who have been called saints!

Observations: v.2

We see Paul sending two messages from two sources to all 3 of them:

1. Grace to you from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Peace to you from God, our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Interpretation:

Paul starts out his letter with a blessing after the salutation. Grace is emphasized first and then peace. The source of the grace and peace, Paul writes is from God, who He considers to be the Father of the servants of Christ Jesus and the saints in Christ Jesus together with the overseers and deacons. Paul also acknowledges that this grace and peace comes from Jesus Christ who he sees as Lord.

Paul wants the Philippians to know that grace has been sent to them. It is not something they earn on their own by the works they do but is something that is imparted by God as a free gift of blessing. It is vital to know that we cannot receive peace apart from grace. Grace is what gives true peace in our lives. When we have been surrounded by God's grace and are living in His agape love, we will experience His peace. Only when we experience His peace can we be a witness to those around us.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27, NIV)

Application:

We live in a world filled with curses. Now is the moment to take time to send others a blessing in the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior every time we write a letter to someone who is a brother or sister in Christ. If it is an unbeliever, it would be that much more special to bless them in the Name of Jesus Christ in a world where people are hurting without peace and blessings of others. There are tons of blessings in Scripture that you can impart upon others as you claim those promises! Amen!

I ASK YOU NOW!

I ask you now dear friends, what kind of slave will you be?

The fact of the matter is we are all slaves. The question is whether we will be slaves to sin or slaves to Christ! If we see ourselves as slaves to Christ then we will be obedient to Christ and follow his teachings. We will not cling to our own rights or want to do what we think is right from a human perspective rather than God's perspective. It is not about what we think is right but what we know to be right according to God's standards of perfection. Jesus came to serve and we should not do any less. We should have an attitude of servitude towards others.

If we see ourselves as slaves to sin then we will be obedient to the lusts of the flesh and use sin as an excuse to let it rule over us and be our master. In essence, we will be allowing Satan to rule our daily activities. This is not something anyone should choose.

"But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Genesis 4:7, NIV)

We do not want to give Satan a foothold in our lives. If that happens, we will want to be master and everyone else to be our slaves because we will be possessed with our own desires. This is not the Way of the Master: Jesus Christ who came to serve and give His life as a ransom to redeem humanity.

Only when we follow the Way of the Master will we be willing to impart peace and grace of the Lord Jesus Christ in other people's lives. It starts with us and we need to be right with the Lord Jesus asking Him to be the Master of our lives. Let it be the Master of your life friend. He who created you knows you so well and let Him guide you friend!

Yes friend, now is the time of Salvation. You may have lived your life for the lust of the flesh being a slave to sin but it does not have to be that way. No friend, you can have Jesus Christ change you and transform you by the Power of His Love and He will friend. Yes, He will! May you know Savior's love acknowledges vividly everyday servanthood!

Savior's Love Acknowledges Vividly Everyday: Servant hood. (S.L.A.V.E.S)/"What kind of S.L.AV.E. will you be?"

PRAYER:

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you are our Master. Thank you how much you love us and care for us. We are forever in your care. Lord you want us to be servants as you became a servant though you are God. Help us to live our lives in such a way that we will be seen as your servants Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord you also see us as saints and we are your children. We come to you with all our flaws and ask you to forgive us please Lord. Please deliver us from being slaves to the sins that bind us. Thank you Lord we can be delivered from anything in your perfect timing. Lord, we also know that there are areas in our life that we will have to endure through until we see you face to face but we thank you that you can give us the strength to go on and a way out against temptations. We thank you that when it comes to sin, we need not live in it because through your Holy Spirit working in us, you will help us. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you, you hear us and answer us! In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Amen!

You can pray this prayer with me to offer yourself to Jesus!

Dear Jesus, thank you for being born in Bethlehem in a stable. You had a humble beginning even though you are the King of kings and Lord of lords. I am so sorry for my sins and confess all of them to you. Please Jesus forgive me of my sin and set me free from any bondage I am in. I turn myself over to you and offer myself as a present to you this New Year. Thank you for dying for my sin and coming back to life to save me. I do not know all I want to know about you but I want to start my journey with you and learn from you as I feed upon you and draw my nourishment from you. Help me please Jesus. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for saving us and being there for us. Please come Jesus into my heart and make my heart your home. Live in me Jesus and I will live for you and I will serve you the rest of the days of my life. Thank you Jesus you have heard my prayer and answered me. Thank you for being my Lord and Personal Savior. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Help me in my journey with you Oh Lord. Thank you Jesus! Amen!

Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!

Spend time in His word and let the Lord speak to you! Start out in the Gospel of John! You can also check out the Gospel of Mark which are the devotionals I have been going through. Learn from Jesus through study and prayer. Also find yourself a church fellowship and a college fellowship you can be part of where you can be part of a community of believers to supplement your own walk with the Lord. Let it be a Bible-believing and Bible-breathing church! Believe in Bible Live Eternally!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-720-4579

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

NEXT DEVOTIONAL:
"Who are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?"(May 07, 07, 7:41 a.m.)

Express Your View

SEPTEMBER 2005

MARK: CHAPTER 1

How seriously do you T.E.S.T.I.F.Y to prophecy? (Sept 01, 05)

Who do you P.O.I.N.T to? (Sept 02, 05)

"Will you take a S.T.A.N.D?" (Sept 03, 05)

How is your loving P.R.A.I.S.E? (Sept 06, 05)

"How do you handle T.E.M.P.T.A.T.I.O.N?" (Sept 07, 05)

"Who controls your T.I.M.E?" (Sept 08, 05)