Saturday after the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 29, 2020 by under
Scripture: Philippians 4:8-23 (NKJV)
4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
14 Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15 Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
Devotion
These closing remarks from St. Paul bring us to the close of this week. The various pastors of the ELDoNA are the authors of these devotions. While each may have his own distinct style, when one reads these devotions there remains an underlying unity. While not inspired like Holy Scripture, the devotions written by members of the ELDoNA maintain a unity by directing the reader back to Jesus. In fact, every bit of what a pastor says and does should take you back to Christ. Every Bible study, every sermon, every exhortation by your pastor ought to deliver you to the foot of the Cross where you see what God has done for you in Christ.
Take time and go back to the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Philippians and read his entire letter in one sitting. It is not all that long. By doing so, you will hear Paul continually taking you back to Christ. For Paul and for every Christian, it was, is, and always will be about Jesus.
As one of those pastors who has been blessed to be a member of Christ’s Church and fellowship, and blessed to write the devotions for this past week, I leave you with these words: The Lord bless thee and keep thee. The Lord make His face shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace. Amen.
Prayer: Grant, I beseech Thee, Almighty God, that the Word which I have read this past week may through Thy grace be so engrafted in my heart that I may bring forth the fruit of Thy Spirit. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
