For many of us, Philippians is a book that we hold most dear in the NT. That is with good reason, it is so rich in joy, perseverance, and encouragement.

Here's what I learned today...

1. About God: It's easy to become confused about the triune nature of God — especially since we mainly encounter Jesus in the gospels while He is in His humbled and temporary state. Philippians 2:6-11, the great kenotic hymn, clarifies that Jesus "emptied himself" from "being in very nature God" to be made in human likeness. This hymn is a grand parabola with exaltation at beginning and end and the temporary arc of self sacrificial loving humility at its center. 

2. NT Christianity: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him" (Philippians 1:29). This is not too different from what Paul asserts in 2Tim 3:12, "In fact everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." If there's one thing that overwhelms me as a theme throughout the NT, it's the persecution of believers. 

3. DWIS (Do What It Says): I just told my discontented school-bound daughter to "do everything without grumbling or arguing" — I'm going to take that challenge today as well. But I'm also so moved by Philippians 4:8-9 that it's my memory verse for today as I head out to pray with that as my pattern for today's prayer.