Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Philippians 3:1-11
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Php 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Php 3:5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Php 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Php 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Php 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, Php 3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Paul says “finally”, but he is not finishing the letter; he’s just moving on to a new theme that the church needs to hear. The people were living in a time when false doctrine abounded, and they needed another warning about false teachers who were trying to move into the congregations which Paul had started. His admonition was to “rejoice in the Lord.” Even in times of danger, we still have much for which we can rejoice. The Lord is always in control. No error can enter when God’s people are watching out for it, regardless of circumstances, people, or things that might get in our way.
Paul’s warning was not a new one. He had warned them before that they needed to worship the Lord in the Spirit and not trust in the flesh. This is a good admonition for us today too. We also need to trust in the Lord and not trust in the flesh. We need to learn to live in God’s perfect will, not for our own selfish desires. Paul wanted them to know that he could have trusted the flesh more than others because of his background. He gave a long list of what he had achieved according to the flesh, but then he said that it meant nothing when it came to serving the Lord.
Paul’s understanding of what was important showed him that all of the accomplishments of the flesh added up to nothing and was absolutely worthless.
He then told them of his great desire to know Jesus Christ. Remember that Paul is about 60 years of age here. He had walked with the Lord for the better part of 30 plus years, but he wanted to know the Lord in an even deeper way than he had when he was younger. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
This is what we need today. The passion that Paul had at his advanced age to seek the Lord should be the daily longing of our lives. But how much do we desire the Lord? Are we seeking Him first and foremost in our lives? Are we willing to be made conformable to His death? This should be our hearts’ cry.
Bible Reading for the Year
June 12th, Ezra 6-8; John 21
Prayer Needs
Please be in prayer for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. She will be having surgery this Friday to correct a fistula that has been causing her problems. The family covets your prayers for a successful surgery.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She sees the cancer doctor on Friday to find out her treatment plan. Pray that it won’t be too severe. She sees the ENT doctor on Monday for follow-up.
Please also pray for Kenny Deans. He is continuing treatment for his leg. He will also be seeing a doctor about possible kidney stones on the 17th.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go.
Please pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She had a stroke after having an infusion port taken out because they thought she was getting an infection.
Pray also for Austin Schimedt, Carolyn Tyson’s grandson, who went to hospital for tests. They do not know what is wrong.
Please continue to pray for Peggy Warren. She is facing some difficult challenges.
Please continue to pray for Robbie Harvey who has MAC lung disease. He seems some better; however, he still has a lot of pain.
Please continue to pray for Marvin Silverthorne for his eyesight to improve.
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Pray for our Missionaries!
Sue Singleton and the mission in Cambodia
Dr. Joe Jordan and the CBM (Cross and Bible Ministries)
Travis and Caroline Fennessy – IBM missionaries to Southeast Asia