1 January 2023 – Read Our Daily Bread for Today ODB Titled Choose Joy

We encourage you to read today's Our Daily Bread ODB devotional for today Sunday 1 January 2023.

1 January 2023 - Read Our Daily Bread for Today ODB Titled Choose Joy

1 January 2023 – Read Our Daily Bread for Today ODB Titled Choose Joy

DAILY DEVOTIONAL – We encourage you to read today’s Our Daily Bread ODB devotional for today Sunday 1 January 2023.

PREVIOUSLY ON OUR DAILY BREAD DEVOTIONAL

OUR DAILY BREAD BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Today’s Scripture: Philippians 1:12–21

INSIGHT>>>> 1 January 2023 – Read Our Daily Bread for Today ODB Titled Choose Joy

Keith was feeling down as he trudged through the produce aisle. His hands trembled from the first signs of Parkinson’s disease. How long before his quality of life began to slide? What would this mean for his wife and children? Keith’s gloom was shattered by laughter. Over by the potatoes, a man pushed a giggling boy in a wheelchair. The man leaned over and whispered to his son, who couldn’t stop grinning. He was noticeably worse off than Keith, yet he and his dad were finding joy where they could.

Writing from prison or under house arrest as he awaited the outcome of his trial, the apostle Paul seemingly had no right to be joyful (Philippians 1:12–13). The emperor was Nero, a wicked man who had a growing reputation for violence and cruelty, so Paul had reason to be concerned. He also knew there were preachers who were taking advantage of his absence to gain glory for themselves. They thought they could “stir up trouble” for the apostle while he was imprisoned (v. 17).

Yet Paul chose to rejoice (vv. 18–21), and he told the Philippians to follow his example: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (4:4). Our situation might seem bleak, yet Jesus is with us now, and He’s guaranteed our glorious future. Christ, who walked out of His tomb, will return to raise His followers to live with Him. As we begin this new year, may we rejoice! By: Mike Wittmer

Bible in a Year: Genesis 1–3, Matthew 1

1st January 2023 – Read Our Daily Bread for Today ODB || REFLECT>>> What personal suffering or injustice causes you to languish in your sorrow? How might the truth of Jesus bring you joy?

PRAYER

Father, please raise my eyes above my circumstances. I look to You alone for joy.

Thank you as you read today’s Our Daily Bread for Today ODB Titled Choose Joy for Sunday 1 January 2023. Share with a friend, God loves and cares for us!

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