December 17, Day 351

Today's Reading

Paul was confined to house arrest when he wrote this letter to his spiritual children in Philippi. I have started to understand a little of what it means to see someone cross the line of faith, then watch them start growing in Christ. I watch them make decisions and face life challenges. I watch them weigh out whether to follow God's way or go back to their old life. I pray for them and feel concern for them. That's the way Paul was here.

His "children" were facing legalists who wanted everyone to convert (via circumcision for the males) to judaism before they could become Christ followers. Some of them were squabbling. They needed to recapture their joy as they followed Jesus. Therefore, Paul wrote this letter from captivity and the whole thing is about joy. He longed for them to experience it just as he did. It's powerful!