But for now I have considered it necessary to send Epaphroditus to you. For he is my brother, coworker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to me in my need. Indeed, he greatly missed all of you and was distressed because you heard that he had been ill. In fact he became so ill that he nearly died. But God showed mercy to him—and not to him only, but also to me—so that I would not have grief on top of grief. Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you can rejoice and I can be free from anxiety. So welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, since it was because of the work of Christ that he almost died. He risked his life so that he could make up for your inability to serve me.Philippians 2:25-30 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I, too, may be encouraged by hearing news about you. For there is no one here like him who will readily demonstrate his deep concern for you. Others are busy with their own concerns, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know his qualifications that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel. So I hope to send him as soon as I know more about my situation, though I am confident in the Lord that I, too, will be coming to see you soon.Philippians 2:19-24 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence but even more in my absence, continue working out your salvation with awe and reverence, for the one bringing forth in you both the desire and the effort—for the sake of his good pleasure—is God. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast: that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you. And in the same way you also should be glad and rejoice together with me.Philippians 2:12-18 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted 40 days and 40 nights he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.” But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”Matthew 4:1-4 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had,who, though he existed in the form of God,did not regard equality with Godas something to be grasped,but emptied himselfby taking on the form of a slave,by looking like other men,and by sharing in human nature.He humbled himselfby becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross!As a result God highly exalted himand gave him the namethat is above every name,so that at the name of Jesusevery knee will bow—in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue confessthat Jesus Christ is Lordto the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:5-11 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort provided by love, any fellowship in the Spirit, any affection or mercy, complete my joy and be of the same mind, by having the same love, being united in spirit, and having one purpose. Instead of being motivated by selfish ambition or vanity, each of you should, in humility, be moved to treat one another as more important than yourself. Each of you should be concerned not only about your own interests, but about the interests of others as well.Philippians 2:1-4 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ so that—whether I come and see you or whether I remain absent—I should hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, by contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation—a sign which is from God. For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, since you are encountering the same conflict that you saw me face and now hear that I am facing.Philippians 1:27-30 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Now if I am to go on living in the body, this will mean productive work for me, yet I don’t know which I prefer: I feel torn between the two because I have a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far, but it is more vital for your sake that I remain in the body. And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith, so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.Philippians 1:22-26 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

My confident hope is that I will in no way be ashamed but that with complete boldness, even now as always, Christ will be exalted in my body, whether I live or die. For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.Philippians 1:20-21 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:18b-19 NET This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit praytogether.substack.com