"but we are looking to you for help." 2 Chronicles 20:12b NLT

Today's verse is actually the second half of yesterdays verse. In case you missed it, here is the verse in it's entirety. "O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for

Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck. Psalms 69:1 NLT

Trials are clear throughout the Bible. The most revered servants of God suffered through trials. I love today's verse. I've prayed it many times. David was in the midst of a trial and at that moment, there were no flowery words to his prayer. This isn't the poetry of the "23rd

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.1 Peter 4:12 NLT

Trials really shouldn't take us by surprise. God's Word consistently reminds us of this. Jesus even warned us of impending trials. In John 16:33 Jesus said, "Here on earth you will have many trials and

He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live. Galatians 1:4 NLT

Notice the phrase in today's verse "this evil world in which we live". That could possibly be recognized as the single greatest answer as to why we face painful trials. We live in an evil world. This world is fallen

But the Pharisees and experts in religious law had rejected God's plan for them... Luke 7:30 NLT

When Jesus walked on earth during His public ministry the ones who should have easily welcomed Him, those who should have known Him best, rejected Him and His plan. The same is true of followers of Christ many times today.

Have you ever considered

For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! 2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT

Your trial, if it's like some of mine, may seem to be different than the way Paul describes them. You may not think "small and won't last very long" adequately illustrates the

So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT

Your troubles are not going to last if you are a Christian. I know that may not be the way you feel right now. In the midst of pain

For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. James 1:3-4 NLT

Right now you and I don't fit into Heaven. Heaven is a perfect place for perfect people. In our spirit we are perfect in Christ, but in our flesh

Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. James 1:2 NLT

Please understand that I am not claiming that I have reached the fulfillment of this verse. I don't know that I am at a place in my spiritual life where I am letting trials "be an opportunity for joy". I may be a long way from that as a

Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3 NLT

Today I begin a series called "Finishing Well". As I read through the Book of Philippians, I see the desire of a man, Paul, who wanted to finish well, but also wanted to encourage others in their spiritual journey. During this series we will apply the passion of Paul to our

I always pray for you, and I make my requests with a heart full of joy Philippians 1:4 NLT

Continuing the thought process of yesterday, Paul was encouraged by the faithfulness of the Philippians. It made Paul spiritually proud to watch the Philippians.

I love to watch people grow in their faith. As a minister, I have seen people go both

because you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. Philippians 1:5 NLT

The Philippians got saved and never got over it. They continued serving God well after the initial decision for Christ. Their faithfulness encouraged Paul.

The Christian life is a process of growth. I've only

And I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again. Philippians 1:6 NLT

You may not feel that you are growing spiritually right now, but the fact is you are on some path. Either you are growing spiritually or God is working the

It is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a very special place in my heart. We have shared together the blessings of God, both when I was in prison and when I was out, defending the truth and telling others the Good News. Philippians 1:7 NLT

NOTE FROM YESTERDAY'S THOUGHT: Some of you actually read these things! There

God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:8 NLT

I love this newer version's description of Paul's feelings for the Philippian church. He loved them with the "tender compassion of Christ Jesus". This compassion came from a man who was once feared by all Christians as a destroyer of

I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding. Philippians 1:9 NLT

Yesterday I introduced a concept that as we mature in Christ we will become less self-centered and more other-centered. The Christian is to be a person of love if we are to follow the example

For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns. Philippians 1:10 N LT

Wow! What a concept! What if you and I understood what really matters? Wouldn't that change so much of our life?

As a parent I have tried to incorporate grace into our home. I have rules, but I try to design

May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11 NLT

Paul wanted his disciples to exhibit Christ in their life, giving glory and praise to God. That's a great prayer for the people in your life and for

And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold

Some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know the Lord brought me here to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more