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.
In this portion, Paul was moving to a new theme that the church needed to hear. They were living in a time when false doctrine abounded, and they needed another warning about the false teachers who were trying to move into the congregations that Paul had started. His admonition was to “rejoice in the Lord.” Even in times of trials, we still have much for which we can rejoice. The Lord is still in control. No error can enter when God’s people are watching out for it, regardless of circumstances, or people as in chapters 1 and 2.
Paul’s warning was not a new one. He had warned them before, but here he is telling them that they needed to worship the Lord in the Spirit and not trust in the flesh. This is a good admonition for us today. 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 according to our own selfish desires. Paul wanted them to know that he could have trusted in 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 showed that it all meant nothing when it came to serving the Lord.
Paul’s understanding of what was really important showed him that all the accomplishments of the flesh added up to nothing and was absolutely worthless.
He then said that his great desire was to know Jesus Christ. Remember that at that time Paul is about 60 years of age. He had walked with the Lord for the better part of 30 plus years, but he wanted to know the Lord even better 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; Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
We need what Paul had. This passion that Paul had at his advanced age should be the daily desire of our lives too. But how much do we desire the Lord? Are we seeking Him as first and foremost in our lives? Are we willing to be made conformable to His death? To be seeking the Lord like this should be our daily hearts’ desire.
Bible Reading for the Year
July 8th, Psalms 1-3; Acts 16:1-15
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She will have her first chemo treatment this Friday. Next Friday she will see her cancer doctor for the results of her bone biopsy. Please pray!!
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He will have an appointment on July 14th with his kidney doctor.
Continue to pray for Jennifer Teboe Buchamer. Please keep praying for complete healing. She sees her doctor at Duke on July 17th. Please pray for wisdom for the doctor concerning her treatment.
Please continue to pray for Dr. Joe Jordan. He is doing physical therapy but still has a long way to go. Pray for him to get stronger!
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 pray for Carolyn Tyson’s sister, Shirley Deal. She had a stroke after having an infusion port taken out. She is still in rehab.
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