April 22 2026

Wednesday April 22

Not I, But Christ

Philippians 1:19-21

Today we are continuing in Philippians 1, and we move on to verses 19–21, where the Apostle Paul writes: “For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

As we think about these verses and consider the Apostle Paul and his great testimony—writing this letter from a prison in Rome to his friends and the saints at Philippi—we must be reminded what the whole book of Philippians is about. It is a message of joy, a message of encouragement. Despite our circumstances, we can still be encouraged, and we can encourage others. Paul could say, as you come to chapter 4: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” He could also say: “I know that God will supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

I am telling you—and I want to remind you, and I may have said this before—we cannot truly say those things, that God will supply all our needs and that we can do all things through Christ, unless, like Paul in chapter 1, we have a single mind. Paul had a single mind toward the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had a single focus on Jesus Christ Himself.

As we look at these verses before us today, we also need to see how they connect to the previous verses. Remember, in verses 15–18, Paul had just talked about people preaching Christ with mixed motives—some sincerely, others out of envy and selfish ambition. Instead of becoming bitter, discouraged, or distracted, Paul made a conscious choice: he would rejoice that Christ is being preached.

Now in verses 19–21, we see why Paul could respond that way. Notice, his focus was not on people. His focus was not on circumstances. His focus was on Christ being magnified, no matter what happened to him. Is that your focus—that Christ would be magnified as you go through difficult and trying times? Or do we find ourselves complaining, calling others, or even posting things just to make people feel sorry for us? No, my friend. I am telling you, when Christ and His Holy Spirit are working in us, we desire for Him to be magnified. It is not I, but Christ. “I must decrease, and He must increase”, as John the Baptist said (John 3:30).

Paul says in this passage: “I know that this will turn out for my deliverance.” This word “deliverance” carries the idea of ultimate vindication. Paul is confident—not necessarily that he will be released from prison or escape suffering—but that God will accomplish His purpose in him and through him. Notice how this deliverance comes. He says: “Through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Deliverance comes through the prayers of God’s people.

I know how important it is to have people praying for us—to be part of a fellowship, not living in isolation, but having friends who will pray for us as we go through difficult times, and even when things are going well. My friend, I would not be sitting here before you today if it were not for the prayers of my mom and dad, and for the prayers of people who love me, care about me, and have faithfully prayed for me.

Yes, through the prayers of God’s people and through the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. We are sustained by the prayers of God’s people and by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. This connects beautifully with Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Yes, my friend, even opposition, even wrong motives in others, even imprisonment—God can use it all for His glory. So keep your eyes on Him today.

God bless and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!

P.S. I am having difficulties with posting the monthly Bible reading calendars on my website. Please email me for the month of May's calendar and indicate which plan you need. My email is: pastormike@pmiministries.org