DAY 6: PHILIPPIANS 1:9-11

Day 6

Philippians 1:9-11

What is Paul’s prayer for the Philippians?

What does this show about Paul’s priorities for the Philippians?

Why does Paul pray these things for the Philippians?

How could today’s passage change the way you pray for other Christians?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Use Philppians 1:9-11 as your prayer for others in your family and church family.

2. Give thanks to God that today we can gather as his people to give him the worship and honour He's due.

3. Pray for Mark & Anne Osborne. Praise God for unity among leaders choosing key Bible terms.

DAY 5: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-8

Day 5

Philippians 1:3-8

How many times are the words “all” or “always” repeated in this passage?

How does Paul feel about the Philippians?

Why does he feel this way?

How can you grow your love for God’s people around Ann Street Church and beyond?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Give thanks to God for allowing wonderful gospel partnerships that lead to joy. Pray for the ministry teams you are in and pray for them by name.

2. Give thanks for the growth we have experienced at Ann St and the impetus this provides for church planting.

3. Pray for the ministry of UQES. Give thanks for many new students engaging with God’s Word on campus.

DAY 4: PHILIPPIANS 1:1-2

Day 4

Philippians 1:1-2

How does Paul describe himself and Timothy?

To be ‘in Christ Jesus’ is the most common way Christians are described in the NT. What do you think it means to be “in Christ Jesus”?

Why do you think Paul begins his letter in this way?

How would it change your life if you thought of yourself as a servant of Christ?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Give thanks to God that we can be in Christ Jesus by faith. Pray for ways that you can be serving God and His people at church.

2. Pray that we might welcome newcomers and warmly include them in church ministries and relationships.

3. Pray for Rev. Thang Bwee in Myanmar. Give thanks to God for his care and protection in the midst of very difficult conditions.

DAY 3: PHILIPPIANS - Acts 16:25-40

Day 3

ACTS 16:25-40

The previous reading ended with Paul and Silas locked in a cell with their feet in the stocks.

How do Paul and Silas respond to being unfairly beaten and imprisoned (v. 25)?

How do you think the jailer is feeling as he sits outside the cell?

What is Paul and Silas’s answer to the jailer’s question (v. 30)? How does this compare to answers that other religions and worldviews might give?

Think back over these past three readings. Summarise in three sentences what we learn about Paul’s visit to Philippi in Acts 16.

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for Christians in places where they face significant opposition to their faith (e.g. North Korea, Yemen, Sudan, China). Pray that God would help you to faithfully share the Gospel in all situations in life, especially in trials.

2. Pray for Taste & See starting tomorrow night. Pray for good relational connection, honest questions and clear gospel presentation.

3. Pray for perseverance and confident hope as J & R prepare to relocate.

DAY 2: PHILIPPIANS - Acts 16:16-24

Day 2

ACTS 16:16-24

Luke, the author of Acts, continues his account of what happened at Philippi. It sounds like he was there as one of Paul’s companions.

What do we learn about the Philippian culture and religious practices from this passage?

How do you think Paul and Silas are feeling as these events unfold?

What questions does this passage raise for you?

From the perspective of our Western culture these events all seem very strange.

How do we see the power of Jesus in this passage?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Thank God that we also have the message of how people might be saved (16:17). Ask that we might be people who continue to share that message.

2. Pray for a Culture of Gospel-Driven Service: Ask that more people in our church would see serving not as a task to complete, but as a joyful response to the grace of Jesus—an overflow of worship and love for others.

3. Give thanks for new students at QUT FOCUS and pray for deep gospel impact.

DAY 1: PHILIPPIANS - Intro and Acts 16:6-15

Philippians is a book much loved by God’s people. Every chapter points our eyes to Jesus, who took on “the very nature of a servant” for us and for our salvation (2:7). Every chapter is a reminder that we “share in God’s grace” (1:7). Every chapter encourages us with gentleness to live a life “worthy of the gospel of Christ” (1:27). It is a book Christians frequently turn to for hope and comfort, especially in the midst of trials or anxieties.

Philippians was written by the Apostle Paul (and Timothy) to the church at Philippi in the Roman province of Macedonia. Paul was in jail at the time, most likely Rome, since he speaks about Caesar’s household (4:23). The let- ter was probably written about 62AD after the arrival of Epaphroditus who brought a financial gift from the Philippians (2:25; 4:18). Paul expresses his thanks and commits to sending Timothy to them soon (2:19, 23).

These Ann Street Daily devotions are designed to help you read and reflect on God’s word in Philippians. Try to begin each day by giving thanks to God for His Word and asking Him to help you understand it. Each reading contains a few notes or questions and some ideas for prayer (Today’s Prayer Suggestion). Think of these as starting points for as much reflection and prayer as you can. Read it by yourself or with a friend or family member. Here's a prayer to get you started:

Dear God,

I pray now in the words of Philippians 1:9-11 that my love might abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight. Help me work out what is best in every situation and be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. Please bless me with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God.

Amen.

Day 1

ACTS 16:6-15

Before we get to Philippians we will read about Paul’s first encounter with the city of Philippi during his second missionary journey. Troas is in modern day Turkey or Turkiye (search “Troas Turkey” and Philippi Greece” to see the two locations on Google maps.

Why does Paul go to Philippi?

What do we learn about the city?

What do we learn about Lydia?

How did she become a believer?

How can this story grow our confidence in evangelism?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Thank God that he has opened your heart to respond to the gospel message. Pray for someone you know that God might open their heart to the message as well. Pray that you would take the privilege to partner with God in the work He is doing in saving people.

2. Pray for our Term 2 teaching series at church and in growth group and New City ministries: Salvation Guaranteed. Pray for those who will be teaching God’s Word in these ministries.

3. Pray for wisdom as Linda McKerrell plans the mission exposure trip with OMF and Ann Street.

DAY 41: PSALM 41

Day 41

PSALM 41: Deliverance for the one with integrity

1-3 is instruction about who is blessed or happy (technically called a ‘beatitude’). It reminds us of Psalm 1 and other beatitudes in the psalms (32:1-2, 34:8, 40:4). What has been the picture built up in the Psalms of who is truly blessed?

The psalmist seems to be very sick as a consequence of sin and enemies are now gathering around him. Why is he confident God will heal him and save him?

Read John 13:18-30. Jesus identifies his own situation with Psalm 41. How does it feel to know that Jesus experienced betrayal like this?

Verse 13 marks the end of book 1. Compare the ends of books 2-5 (Psalms 72:18-20, 89:52, 106:48 and all of Psalm 150). What do these endings tell us about what Psalms are all about?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for compassion toward the weak and rejoice in the Lord's sustaining mercy.

2. Pray for people at church who are unwell with mental or physical illness. Pray for their healing and for comfort and perseverance through suffering.

3. Pray for Steve Lister as he leads the team at UQES. Pray for wisdom and the grace he needs to serve those who work alongside him.

DAY 40: PSALM 40

Day 40

PSALM 40: One who desires to do God’s will

Waiting for the LORD is a theme in book 1 of psalms ( see, for example, 27:14, 33:20, 37:7, 38:15). What has been the outcome of waiting for the psalmist here?

There seems to be a mixture of thanksgiving, instruction and petition in the psalm. How do verses 6-11 fit?

Read Hebrews 10:1-10. How does the author of Hebrews use Psalm 40 to help us understand Jesus Christ (the Messiah) better? Note: the author seems to use the Septuagint which is the Greek translation of the OT for his quotation.

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Thank God for His deliverance and ask for a heart that delights in doing His will.

2. Pray for wisdom for those coordinating various ministry teams.

3. Rev. Thang Bwee: Pray for safety and protection for Reformed Bible Institute students and staff in Myanmar.

DAY 39: PSALM 39

Day 39

PSALM 39: Life is brief

Psalm 39 is a strange and melancholy psalm spoken by someone (David?) who is suffering according to God and is also wrestling with how short life is. He tries to stay quiet as he suffers (1-2 and verse 9) but he ends up speaking.

What true observations does this psalm make about life?

Compare verse 13 with Job 10:18-22. What seems to be the perspective of the psalmist?

We also have an experience of being strangers and aliens (1 Pet 2:9-12). How can we take on board the positive notes from this psalm in the light of the gospel?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for wisdom to live in light of life's brevity, fixing your hope on the Lord.

2. Pray that we would encourage others as we worship together as God's people each Lord's Day.

3. Pray for the Fraser family's language learning journey, for continued progress and understanding.

DAY 38: PSALM 38

Day 38

PSALM 38: A plea for rescue from punishment

This psalm is the first of 4 psalms leading up to the end of book 1 that are about rescue and deliverance in the midst of sin. In this case the psalmist is experiencing the wrath of God on account of his sin. How does he describe his circumstances? What descriptions are literal? What are metaphorical?

How does the psalmist respond to his circumstances?

When Jesus came he had a ministry of healing and the forgiveness of sin (see Mark 2:1-12 or 1 Peter 2:24). He also called to all who were weary and burdened (Matt 11:28-30). How does this psalm prompt us to look to Jesus?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Confess your sins before God and ask for His mercy and healing in times of distress.

2. Pray that in our Growth Groups we would be intentional about encouraging fellow group members in their walk with Christ.

3. Pray for Linda McKerrell's ongoing mission mobilization work, for discernment in guiding potential missionaries.

DAY 37: PSALM 37

Day 37

PSALM 37: The certain future of those who trust God

This psalm is an acrostic which helps explain why it reads a bit more like a series of sayings. It also has the vibe of ‘wisdom’ like Psalm 1 or sections of Proverbs.

What are some of the repeated words or key themes (note: ‘fret’ in verses 1,7 and 8 means ‘to heat oneself in vexation’).

How does the idea of past, present and future work in this psalm?

Verse 4 is a memorable appeal to delight ourselves in the LORD. In this psalm ‘land’ seems to fit with ‘the desires of your heart’. Almost certainly the land as in the special land promised to Abraham. Now that Jesus has come what is the land for us? What do we look forward to?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Commit your way to the Lord and ask for patience to trust in His justice and timing.

2. Pray that our love for one another in the use of our gifts would be a powerful witness to Christ.

3. Pray for unity and mutual support among QUT Christians' staff team during times of stress and change.

DAY 36: PSALM 36

Day 36

PSALM 36: The love of God compared to man’s sinfulness

‘The wicked’ are characters common to many psalms so far, starting with Psalm 1 (and also in psalms 10, 11, 34:21 etc). What does this psalm add to our understanding of ‘the wicked’?

The second section is about the LORD. What is said about him? Why do you think this section follows the first?

Meditate on verse 9. (Consider John 1:14 or 1 John 1:5)

One of the problems with the wicked was his hidden sins. What is your attitude to hidden or undetected sins and how do you think that might need to change (compare 19:12-13, 32:3-5)?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Meditate on God's steadfast love and ask for a heart that delights in the fountain of life found in Him.

2. Pray that we would love and welcome newcomers to Ann Street investigating Christianity.

3. Jared & Verena Bradley: Pray for the ERK denomination in Germany to successfully plant more churches throughout the country.

DAY 35: PSALM 35

Day 35

PSALM 35: A prayer for vindication

What sort of trouble is the psalmist in? What images are used?

Have there been times when you’ve been slandered? Why is it so painful?

The psalmist longs for God to shame his enemies. While this might seem self-centred, a closer look at the psalm shows that what the psalmist values most is God’s righteousness and God’s praise (9, 18, 24, 28). How should this affect our thinking when we are falsely accused or slandered?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Ask for strength to endure opposition and commit yourself to trusting in God's justice.

2. Pray that those serving in behind-the-scenes roles would serve with joy, keeping in mind that their service plays a big part in our church making disciples of Jesus.

3. Pray for J& R's work in five regions where preaching clubs meet and conduct training seminars. Pray for God to use them to raise up effective preachers in these regions.

DAY 34: PSALM 34

Day 34

PSALM 34: ‘Taste and see that the LORD is good’

Psalm 34 is one of 12 psalms of David where the occasion which prompted the psalm is explained. The others are 3, 7, 18, 51, 52, 54, 56, 57, 59, 60, 142. In this case we’re probably meant to think of 2 Samuel 21:10-15 (although the names of the king are a bit different). How does the background help in interpreting the psalm?

This psalm contains more instruction than most psalms (it’s a bit like Psalm 1). What are the various promises you can find? How do they make you feel?

How do we see the fulfilment of these promises in Jesus?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Taste and see that the Lord is good and pray for trust in His goodness through every circumstance.

2. Pray for a deeper appreciation of the good things we enjoy as gather around Jesus and worship Him each Sunday.

3. Griffith Christian Students: Pray that the staff team would be able to train the student members of the group with wisdom.

DAY 33: PSALM 33

Day 33

PSALM 33: God’s sovereignty over everything

Verse 1 of Psalm 33 picks up the language of the last verse of Psalm 32. So it continues and expands the theme of praise.

Why should we sing with joy, instruments, skill etc according to verses 1-5?

In verses 6-19 what are the various areas of the world God is sovereign over?

Is this how you see the world? How can a more biblical worldview increase your hope, trust and joy as per verses 20-22?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Worship God for His sovereignty over all things and ask for a heart that trusts in His unfailing love.

2. Pray that our Growth Groups would be marked by genuine Christian fellowship and care for one another.

3. Mark & Anne Osbourne: Pray for the Kon churches using newly distributed Scripture portions, that leaders would effectively incorporate them.

DAY 32: PSALM 32

Day 32

PSALM 32: The blessedness of confession and forgiveness

This is the first time blessedness has been spoken of explicitly since Psalms 1 and 2. What is the blessedness in this psalm (verse 1 and 2)?

What was the experience of the psalmist before and after his confession of sin?

Romans 4:7-8 quotes this psalm in the context of ruling out works as a grounds for our justification – so even confession of sin doesn’t count as a good work!

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Confess your sins and rejoice in the forgiveness and covering that comes through Christ.

2. Pray for those who will be learning about what church membership means and why it matters at OnBoard today. Ask God’s help as they consider God’s word, raise questions and get to know church leaders and other members.

3. Dan & Rachel Djamaludin: Pray for the wider church presbytery to have wisdom in supporting the Djamaludins' ministry.

DAY 31: PSALM 31

Day 31

PSALM 31: Taking Refuge

By now we are getting a full picture in psalms of a trustworthy God in whom we should take refuge. Go through the psalm and see how many times ‘refuge’ is spoken of. What are the other ways in which the psalmist expresses taking refuge in God (eg ‘I trust in the Lord’ verse 6).

What are the different ways in this psalm that explain why we can take refuge in God?

Read Luke 23:46 (from Psalm 31:5). How does this affect we read the psalm and think about Jesus?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Entrust your life into God's hands, just as Jesus did, and pray for steadfast faith in trials.

2. Pray for deeper relationships between members across different services.

3. Give thanks for the peace and stability we enjoy in Australia. On Anzac Day, thank God for those who have sacrificed much for that peace. Pray for military chaplains serving today.

DAY 30: PSALM 30

Day 30

PSALM 30: The Thankful Psalm

Psalm 30 is a prayer of praise and thanksgiving when help requested has been answered by God. What was the psalmist’s circumstances before and after rescue?

What is the grave (literally Sheol) in verse 3 or ‘pit’ in verse 3 and 5? What is the problem about it according to this psalm and elsewhere (Psalm 6:4-5, 88:10-12, 115:17, Isa 38:17-19)?

Why do you think it so important that God be praised?

How does God’s goodness to you lead into thanksgiving (verse 12 or Col 2:6-7)

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Thank God for lifting you from despair and pray that your life would overflow with thanksgiving.

2. Pray for wisdom for our Evangelism team in planning and executing outreach events.

3. Rev. Thang Bwee: Continue to pray for peace in Myanmar. Pray for the perseverance and joy amidst affliction for the church in Myanmar.

DAY 29: PSALM 29

Day 29

PSALM 29: The God of glory

This psalm stands out as a spectacular call to praise the LORD, the God of glory. The ‘mighty ones’ are most likely the powerful spiritual creatures or angels gathered round God’s throne (see 103:19-21).

What are some of the repeated words or ideas? What do you think they mean?

How does the psalm make you feel?

The LORD indeed is enthroned over all creation and any chaotic forces such as floods or waters. This psalm would be particularly powerful for people or cultures for whom the natural world is the result of various spirits or lesser gods battling it out.

How does Jesus expand our thinking about the God of glory (see, for example, John 1:14 & 1 Cor 2:8).

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Praise God for His power over creation and ask Him to strengthen and bless His people with peace.

2. Pray for our serving pastor Mark Nugent as he helps encouraging our church family to use our time and talents in serving Jesus.

3. Pray for new relational opportunities that having a new baby might bring for Bethany Fraser to share Jesus with other mothers.

DAY 28: PSALM 28

Day 28

PSALM 28: Calling upon God

What are the particular sins of the wicked in this psalm?

What is it about God that means it’s right and good that we should trust him and pray to him?

What is the relationship between the LORD, his anoined one (Messiah) and

his people?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Pray for a heart that trusts in God as your strength and shield, rejoicing in His help.

2. Pray that we'd see our daily work and activities as acts of worship.

3. Linda McKerrell: Pray for wisdom and insight as she talks with people who are considering short or long term mission.