A JOYFUL PRAYER

Join your Calvary Chapel family today (Sunday, October 12, at 10:00 a.m.) in the main sanctuary or online through our website (www.calvaryinv.com),

Facebook, and YouTube (Calvary Inverness) as we gather to exalt Jesus, edify one another in love, and be equipped to evangelize a lost world by continuing our study in the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (1:3-8).

Paul was in prison. He had written to them to show his appreciation for partnering with him in the gospel. They had been the first to support him financially, along with their prayers and love. When they heard about him awaiting his appeal before Caesar, they sent Epaphroditus to deliver their gifts and check on his well-being.

When Epaphroditus returned, he brought a letter from Paul to be read at the next worship gathering. After everyone arrived and had sung their songs of worship, they sat down as Epaphroditus read the much-anticipated letter. What they heard likely surprised them.

Paul wasn’t despondent, depressed, or in despair. He wrote enthusiastically about the joy and peace the Lord had given him throughout his trial and imprisonment. Instead of complaining, he expressed his love and gratitude for the saints in Philippi.

Throughout his prayer and the entire letter, Paul radiates joy from the Holy Spirit. As the congregation listened, their spirits were uplifted, along with the confidence that God was active in their lives and Paul’s. This encouraged them to live boldly for the Lord.

As the congregation listened, they would hear Paul challenge them to follow his example as he followed Christ. By doing so, they would find that the joy of the Lord would not only sustain them but also serve as a testimony to a world in desperate need of Jesus.

As we read this letter, my prayer is that all of us experience the same joy and peace Paul did, so that regardless of the challenges in ministry or life, we can glorify Christ with unwavering faith in Him.

In His Unfailing Love,

Pastor