When I first wrote this devotion, we were in a “safe at home” mode during the pandemic.

As I reviewed the focal passage for the week’s series of devotions, tears formed in my

eyes -- as these verses seem profoundly appropriate for that season. While I know we

aren’t to add or detract from God’s Word, please bear with me as you read this passage

with fresh eyes today with a few minor changes in italics. Perhaps, like me, you will more

fully understand what it must have been like for the church in Philippi to receive this

message from Paul and Timothy:

“LaRaine (or insert your name), a slave of Christ Jesus:

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Immanuel Baptist Church, including

the overseers (ministers) and deacons.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for

all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the gospel from the

first day until now. I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will

carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart,

and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment (isolation at

home) and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.

For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ

Jesus.

And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind

of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be

pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that

comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:1-11,

HCSB).

Immanuel family, we were separated for a season, and I really did miss you and prayed

for you to continue grow in your faith. And now we are blessed to be back together again

serving and worshiping the Lord! Let’s treasure our faith community and continue to pray

for each other.

By LaRaine Rice



LaRaine is the wife of Jeff and mother of Christopher and Elizabeth.