MARCH 1, Philippians 1:1-5

“You’ve got mail!” Alicia jumped up and dashed to the mail box every time she heard the postman. Being lonely and homesick in Australia, students like her yearned for letters from family and friends. Telephone fees for calling overseas were expensive in the 1970s and 1980s. Of course, it is very different today. We can freely keep in contact through online messaging applications on computers or mobile phones.

In Apostle Paul’s time, people who were apart could only communicate through letters. While imprisoned in Rome, Paul wrote this epistle or letter, (now known as the Book of Philippians) to the church in Philippi. He founded this church on his second missionary journey as we read in the book of Acts. His first convert was Lydia whose home became the meeting place for the Christians. Other converts included a former young sorceress and a prison jailor.

Paul wrote to encourage the Philippians who were facing persecutions because they believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. He assured them that he was constantly praying for them. He thanked God that they shared his ministry of spreading the gospel and for sending Epaphroditus to minister to him. Paul set a good example by rejoicing in the Lord even though he was in prison. He encouraged the Philippians to stand firm in Christ even as their faith would encourage him to endure all his sufferings.

Will you also do your part to encourage fellow Christians by your words and by praying for them? 

Draw an arrow to show the route of the letter to Philippi reaching Philippi.

Thought: I can encourage others by sharing what I learn from God’s Word.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Paul’s example of encouragement and please help me to encourage others too.