Daily Devotions from Firmly Rooted (archive of 975 devotions). Browse by book, series, or season, or search below.
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even…
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5 NIV) I have purposely set this verse apart from verses 6-11 (the well-known verses that support the doctrine of the two natures of Christ). Those verses get so much attention they sometimes detract from this one. In verse 4, Paul…
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV) It is no wonder that the sinful side of the world we live in just doesn’t get Christians and Christianity….
“Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Philippians 2:2 NIV) One of the most devastating works of Satan upon the Church must be its many divisions. The heart of Jesus must break to know that we (the Church) have split and splintered…
“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion…” (Philippians 2:1, NIV84) Boy, has Paul hit a home run with this verse. He touches on the topics of encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness and compassion. Read over those…
“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, NIV84) A very peculiar phenomenon exists within the Christian church. Although Christianity is the most love-based religion on the planet, its members experience the most suffering. I don’t mean suffering…
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27, NIV84) Being in prison, Paul…
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21, NASB95) “For to me, to live is Christ.” This is hard for us to fully understand. Central to Paul’s understanding of the Christian life is that Christ now lives in us and we in Him. He says in Galatians 2:20, “It…
“…according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20, NASB95) So, what does it take for God to be exalted and glorified through…
“Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else.” (Philippians 1:12–13, NASB95) The Christian message has many enemies. Ever since Jesus began His…