Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV) From Vertigo to Gratitude

Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV)

For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.

For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.

Today is my birthday, but I woke up very sick. My temperature was unusually low. I had a sinus headache, vertigo, and overwhelming fatigue. I actually slept from 9:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. the next day. After that I could not sleep, but I remained in bed most of the day. I had little appetite, drank very little, and spent much of the time under a heating pad trying to stay warm.

I meditated upon these verses and was reminded that God's servants are not immune to sickness. Epaphroditus was a faithful man, yet Paul said he was "sick nigh unto death." Sometimes we imagine that spiritual strength means physical strength, but the two are not always the same. Even dedicated believers become weak, weary, and ill.

What stands out to me is Paul's statement that God had mercy on Epaphroditus and on Paul as well. The mercy was not only in healing the sick man, but also in sparing others the sorrow that would have followed his death. God's mercy often reaches far beyond the immediate situation. He sees not only the sufferer but also the family, friends, and fellow believers who are affected.

Lying in bed today, I was reminded that every healthy day is a gift from God. We make plans, schedule events, and expect tomorrow to be much like today. Yet in a matter of hours our strength can disappear. Our dependence upon the Lord becomes very real when our bodies remind us of their frailty.

I am thankful that God knows our limitations. He understands our weakness better than we do. Whether He grants immediate recovery or simply gives grace to endure, His mercy is always present. Today was not the birthday I expected, but it was another reminder that my life, health, and future are all safely in His hands.

From Vertigo to Gratitude: I Spent My Birthday Sick in Bed

Have you ever had God teach you something important through sickness or a difficult season? Share your experience in the comments—I would love to hear how the Lord has worked in your life.

If this devotional encouraged you, please like, share, and follow for more Bible-based content. For additional articles, Bible studies, books, and resources, visit marvinmckenzie.org and join me as we continue growing together in God's Word.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7100 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

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Philippians 2:26-27 (KJV) From Vertigo to Gratitude

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

http://youtube.com/post/UgkxcpSw1AbWYFW_X2xZo2B3zFtsniFNkw9O?si=T8qs5a0aLzhWg_NZ

Philippians 3:7 (KJV) When Success Meets Christ

Philippians 3:7 (KJV)

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

The word that comes to my mind is meekness.

Paul was well aware of his accomplishments in the flesh. If anyone could have boasted in “fleshly” spirituality (as if there could really be such a thing), it was he. There is little benefit in listing again the things he mentions in verses 4–6. It is enough to point out his conclusion: “touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

He had, in fact, achieved what the Pharisees believed to be spiritual success in the flesh. No one could have been more confident of that than Paul.

But Paul had met Christ.

And in that meeting he realized the futility of the flesh.

They say that meekness is power under control.

Meekness is not weakness.
Meekness is voluntary surrender.

The illustration I have long heard is that of a powerful stallion. The horse has the ability to overpower his rider.

• He can outrun him.
• He can outmaneuver him.
• He can, if he chooses, trample him to death.

But he has been brought into submission. He humbles himself to accept the bit and follow the commands of his rider.

The Christian is not weak, beggarly, or cowardly for surrendering to Jesus. He simply surrenders all he is and has to One who is far greater.

I never rose to the same fleshly successes that Paul had, but I am happy to have counted whatever successes I may have had as loss for Christ.

#CountedLossForChrist #BiblicalMeekness #SurrenderToChrist #StrengthUnderControl #ChristAboveAll

When Success Meets Christ: Power Under Control

What do you think Paul meant when he said he counted everything as loss for Christ? Have you ever had something in your life that once seemed like gain but later looked small compared to knowing the Lord?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment and join the conversation.

If you enjoy Bible lessons like this, you can find many more articles, studies, and teaching resources at marvinmckenzie.org. Take a moment to visit the site and explore the growing library of Bible teaching designed to help believers think biblically and live faithfully.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Philippians 3:7 (KJV) When Success Meets Christ

Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Friends a Preacher Never Forgets

Philippians 1:3 (KJV)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,

Paul was in a Roman prison at the time of this writing and, though I think he still held out hope of release, he must have known the weight of his circumstances. Indeed, by the time he wrote 2 Timothy, he knew his situation was settled and that he would soon be in the presence of his Lord.

After years of ministry—meeting and ministering to likely thousands of people, making multitudes of friends, and many enemies—Paul had time to reflect on them all.

And he said, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”

Having been a believer now for forty-nine years, a church member for forty-six years, and a preacher of the gospel for forty-three years—and now having stepped out of pastoring—I have some time these days to reflect on the people I’ve met. So many have been friends, a few have turned into enemies, and a small handful are of such a kind that I cannot help but thank God every time I remember them.

I don’t think it would be prudent to list the names of individuals (although Paul did at times). I would hate to make anyone think they came second or didn’t place near the top of my memory list of thanksgiving. Every church I’ve been a part of has had members who became dear and precious, and whose memory still brings joy to my soul.

The church we were privileged to plant and then pastor for more than thirteen years in Astoria is always a precious memory. From the days of meeting in the abandoned gas station, to the memory of Mark Hunsberger stopping into my office (at the gas station) to inquire whether God would lead us to unite with Bayview Baptist Church just across the Old Young’s Bay Bridge, to men like Wayne Ward, Jack Burkhart, and Ed Jasper—whose memories cheer me practically every day.

The work of the ministry is work.

More than that, it is a battle. And as such, it carries with it a great deal of hardship and heartache. I want to make it the goal of the remainder of my life to lift up and encourage those men and their wives who are going through that.

But in these senior years of life, my most vivid recollections are not the losses and trials.

What I remember most are the answers to prayer, the moments of triumph, and the dearest friends a man could ever have this side of eternity.

#ThankfulMemories #FaithfulFriends #GratefulHeart #MinistryReflections #Philippians13KJV

Friends a Preacher Never Forgets — Reflections After a Lifetime in Ministry

Ministry is full of moments, but it’s the people God places in our lives that leave the deepest mark.

Who comes to your mind when you read Philippians 1:3?

Is there someone whose faithfulness, encouragement, or friendship still makes you thank God every time you remember them?

Take a moment and share their name or story in the comments. Your testimony might encourage someone else today.

And if you enjoy Bible lessons like this one, you can find many more studies, articles, and resources at marvinmckenzie.org. I’d be honored if you stopped by.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 7000 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Philippians 1:3 (KJV) Friends a Preacher Never Forgets

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Work Diligently, Worry Not

Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

John Gill points out that there are many things we are taught to be careful for:

• We are to be careful for our bodies — maintaining health and avoiding unnecessary danger.
• We are to be careful for our souls — staying spiritually vigilant.
• We are to be careful for our families — providing honestly for their needs; neglect is a denial of the faith (1 Tim. 5:8).
• We are to be careful for the things of this world — working diligently and fulfilling our duties in moderation.
• We are to be careful for the honor of God — living in a way that glorifies Him.
• We are to be careful for the interest of true religion — upholding righteousness and truth.
• We are to be careful for the support of the Gospel — giving and laboring for its advancement.
• We are to be careful not to offend God — avoiding sin and disobedience.

The Word of God certainly does not encourage irresponsibility.

But what it does encourage is faith—trust—absolute dependence upon the good hand of God in all the circumstances of life.

Scripture teaches us to put our hopes and expectations in God and to lay up our treasures in heaven.

The Bible never teaches idleness, laziness, or a lack of concern.
Instead, it teaches us to work—and to do so diligently—for a cause greater than our own.

And the One whose cause we serve…
He cares for everything—so we may be careful for nothing.

#CarefulForNothing #TrustGodWorkHard  #PrayerOverPanic #FaithfulNotFearful #GodCaresYouPray

Work Diligently, Worry Not: God Carries the Load

📣 Don’t Let Worry Win — Trust God and Take Action!

God never called us to live careless lives—but He did call us to live care-free lives, trusting fully in Him. Philippians 4:6 isn’t about laziness or neglect—it’s about faith that moves, prays, and obeys.

👉 Take action today: Make a list of what’s weighing on your heart—and turn each item into a specific prayer request with thanksgiving. Then get busy doing the next right thing God has clearly given you to do.

💬 QUESTION: What burden do you need to turn into a prayer today? Share one below—we’ll pray with you.

📲 Hungry for more solid, biblical teaching? Visit marvinmckenzie.org for Bible studies, videos, and resources rooted in the King James Bible.

👉 Join our community in studying God’s Word and strengthening your faith.

To my readers:

Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

For this and, more than 6800 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) Work Diligently, Worry Not