From the Coach's Desk - October 2024

Many people consider Philippians to be their favorite book in the New Testament. And why not! It is the epistle of joy! Perhaps more than any other book in the New Testament the words “joy” and “rejoice” occur. Interesting that Paul would write about such an attitude given his circumstances—when he wrote Philippians, he was in jail!

In fact, he was in jail in Rome. Yet he could write: “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer for you all, with joy. . .” (Philippians 1:3-4). Even when Paul’s enemies worked against him, he wrote, “Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers. . . ” (Philippians 1:18, 19).

In Philippians 2:2-3, Paul wrote, “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing through selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind, regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

There is the key to real Christian joy: everybody regarding everybody else as more important than themselves.

Try it! Joy!

David L. Allen