Day 344 - Thursday after the Second Sunday in Advent - BIT 2015

Read | Day 344 | Thursday | December 11

Philippians 2: 12-18, 19-24, 25-30

Philippians 3: 1-11, 12– 4: 1

Philippians 4: 2-9, 10-20, 21-23

Background | The Center for Biblical Studies

Philippians | Click here

Philippians was written as letter of thanks from Paul to the church at Philippi for the gift they had sent him while he was in chains in Rome. It is one of Paul’s most encouraging letters.

After thanking them for their gift, Paul tells them that his difficult circumstances served to further the gospel among the prison guard. Further, his own deliverance was not necessarily his focus, for “to live is Christ, to die is gain” (1:21). Paul felt the best outcome for him would be to die and be “with Christ, which is better by far” (1:23), although living would continue to further the gospel. He also asks for the return of his friend Epaphroditus, who was a great aid and comfort to him.

Paul speaks of humility as the core Christian virtue, which itself reflects the humility Christ displayed in leaving his heavenly advantage and becoming human—not to mention suffering an ignominious death as a thief on a Roman cross. More ... click here

Reading | Do everything without grumbling or complaining; Paul is sending them people to help them grow in faith; no matter the loss - I have gained in Christ Jesus; be a citizen of heaven in your thoughts; strive for what is pure and noble; I thank God for what I have received in gifts from the Churches; the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Next | Day 345 | Friday | December 12

James 1: 1, 2-18, 19-27

James 2: 1-13, 14-26

James 3: 1-12, 13-18 

Source | Tyndale (2012-03-19) | The One Year Chronological Bible NIV | Tyndale House Publishers | Kindle Edition.

What is Advent? Click here

+++

The Prayers

V: The Lord be with you.
R: And also with you.
Let us pray.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Suffrages A

V. Show us your mercy, O Lord;
R. And grant us your salvation.
V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
R. Let your people sing with joy.
V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.
V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;
R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
V. Let your way be known upon earth;
R. Your saving health among all nations.
V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;
R. And sustain us by your Holy Spirit.

Source | Book of Common Prayer | Forward Movement | Click here