Few things are as frustrating as adversity! Just when we are making progress, something hinders us. Worst of all, sometimes the affliction comes from those closest to us. But when Paul faces adversity - even from believers - he rejoices in the advance of the gospel! His focus on our mission keeps him from getting derailed by hardships.

What do you want most in life? Ask yourself, "What do I pray for?" Our prayers reveal our strongest desires. Paul said, "to live is Christ." The most important thing was to live like Jesus, so that's how he prayed for the Philippian believers. The greatest desire believers ought to be to glorify God by growing into the image of Christ, and it ought to be the way we pray for one another.

"I have you in my heart." I'm sure you can say that about some people in your life. But could you say it about everyone in the church? In his opening to the letter Philippians, the Apostle Paul says that he loves them all in this way. What created such love and affection? Paul's relationship with them was rooted in the gospel.