Daily Devotional
By Pastor Jerry Teboe
A Closer Walk with Christ in 2026
Philippians 2:12-18
But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Php 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. Php 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. Php 2:22 But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Php 2:23 Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. Php 2:24 But I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Php 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow soldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. Php 2:26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. Php 2:27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Php 2:28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. Php 2:29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in reputation: Php 2:30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul now, after encouraging the church to live for Christ in humility and dedication, wants them to know that he is very concerned for them and wants to send someone to them. He chose Timothy who was well known to the congregation, and who was someone who would care for them just a Paul would if he were there.
Timothy was a special blessing to Paul. He looked on Timothy as the son he never had. Timothy had stood alongside Paul in much of his ministry, so he had the same mind and heart that Paul had. He would be the help the church needed to keep on serving the Lord even in the tough times they were living. Another reason for Timothy going to them was that, when he returned, he could give Paul the news from the church, and then Paul himself would be encouraged. Paul was a special friend to the church, as the founder and leader, even in his absence from them. Therefore, he wanted to be there for them, though from a distance.
Timothy was also a special friend to the church, but so was Epaphroditus. This man was one of the church members who had been sent to Paul with the offering from the church. From the titles Paul gives him, you can see that he was someone Paul appreciated and loved. We all need to have people in our lives like Timothy and Epaphroditus. We need to be encouraged, and at times we need to be ministered to when we are not faring so well in our daily struggles.
But there was another reason for Paul sending Epaphroditus back to the church. He had been sick, and Paul was concerned for him. The church was also very concerned when they had heard about him. So it was for the good of the church that Paul sent him back to them. Their friend was going to be a blessing to them, and when they saw him, they would be able to rejoice and not be sorrowful any longer. These two men were trusted servants who are examples to us for how we should be living.
It’s always a joy when we get good news from far away. Yet, we also need to rejoice when God does something special in our own congregation. This is one of the reasons we send the daily prayer requests, so that you can keep up with what God is doing in our midst and rejoice at God’s answers to your prayers.
Bible Reading for the Year
July 7th, Job 40-42; Acts 15:22-41
Prayer Needs
Please continue to pray for Kenny Deans. He will have an appointment on July 14th with his kidney doctor.
Please continue to pray for Shirley Deans. She had the port for chemo treatments put in on Monday, and she was able to go home later. Shirley is tired and needs our prayers.
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