Philippians 1: 9-11

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 1: 9-11

Here Paul’s prayer for the Philippians, shows us the importance of growing in love and spiritual discernment. This word discernment here literally means judgement.  So, Paul’s prayer for the Christians in the Philippian Church and for you and me, is that we would exercise good spiritual judgement as we seek to live our lives for the Lord.

Every day I need to make decisions of how I am going to live my life.  What I am going to do and not do.  What I am going to say and not say.  Where I am going to go and not go.  And when things and people come my way, it is my decision, my judgment call, of how I am going to handle it.  Am I going to give it to the Lord or handle it myself?  Am I going to get upset with that person or forgive and pray for them?  Am I going to worry about the situation or trust that God is going to take care of me?  Decisions, decisions, decisions!  Which is why I need God’s Word each and every day to help me make those decisions that would glorify Him.

Let’s make it a point to stay in God’s Word each and every day and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in approving “what is excellent”.    

Seeking to approve those excellent things,

Pastor Rich Kikuchi