7/28/25 Daily Devotion: Here On Mission

Philippians 1:19-26 - “19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.”

When Paul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, Jesus gave him a Mission and a Purpose:

1. Serve Jesus By Serving Others

2. Testify To Others What Jesus Does In His Life

And that is what Paul did! 

Our passage here in Philippians 1 gives us a glimpse into Paul’s commitment to this Mission from Jesus!

Paul believed wholeheartedly that dying and being WITH JESUS was far better for him … and he DESIRED to just go be WITH JESUS forever. 

• As a Christian, physical death is not to be feared! … on the other side of our last breath on Earth is JESUS!

• Do we have this proper view of our own death? … Do we have this proper view of Christian loved ones’ deaths? 

• Paul is modeling for us a life that does not cling too tightly to life itself … but remains focused on being FAITHFUL to the full Mission bestowed upon us. 

Paul took his time on Earth seriously, determined to be FAITHFUL to Jesus by living out Jesus’ Purpose for him. 

• Paul desired to be with Jesus but chose to remain in his flesh, here on Earth, as service to others. (You & me included!)

• Paul’s life was lived committed to helping others progress in Faith, abound in Joy, and glory in Christ Jesus Himself! 

Paul was sent by Jesus into the world “to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26) … AND. SO. ARE. WE. 

• Paul’s Mission from Jesus powered his life … so much so that he was willing to delay being WITH JESUS as long as Jesus had work for him to do on Earth. 

• We have the same Mission from Jesus … do we let it impact & power our life in the same way?

Paul did not live his life to pursue the joys of this world or the desires of his self because he knew that Jesus was FAR GREATER than any of that. 

• Paul lived his life COMMITTED to Jesus by pointing others to Him through his service & testimony … until he was called to his true Home in the Presence of his Lord & Savior Jesus. 

Paul knew his Mission. 

Paul valued his Mission. 

Paul lived his Mission. 

May you & I know, value, and live that same Mission today!