The Gospel

I Thess. 2:7

But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 

The Struggle: Since Paul and his companions were shamefully rejected at Philippi, you might have thought they would be deterred in spreading the gospel. But no, they were not. In fact, they had boldness in their God to declare to you [the Thessalonians] the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. Sharing the gospel was not an easy thing!

The Message: Paul's appeal was pure with no admixture of falsehood. He and his team did not attempt to deceive [like some false teachers were doing.] They never came with flattery or greed. nor did they seek personal glory [as some did]. As an apostle, Paul could have made demands on the people, but he did not. His supreme desire was to preach the gospel. To support his case, Paul told them he and his team had been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. With God's approval what else is necessary!

The How:  The team was gentle like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. [ There were no veiled threats.] Paul went on to state that they were affectionately desirous of them. They were ready to share with the Thessalonians not only the gospel [which was great in and of itself], but themselves because these people were so very dear to them. 

Application: Paul has given me some great principles for sharing the gospel. First, I mustn't allow rejection and trial to be a deterrent. The gospel will bring either a joyous reception or an equally strong rejection. There are more people in other places who need to know the truth. Secondly, I need to make sure the message I share is spot on! I need to know the word if I am to share the word. Finally, I need to be gentle in my sharing and ready to invest myself into the life of another. Sharing the message is more than a 5 minute speel, it is sharing life with a life that I would need to nurture. 

Father,

Thank You that Your word gives principles, and also examples of how to do it. Banish fear from my heart and help me to share boldly. I see that to share like Paul did I would need to be selfless. Help me to deal with my selfish heart.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Walk and Talk

Col 4:5-6

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Walking and talking sound so simple, activities that we have done since infancy, yet once saved they have a whole new meaning. Instead of walking haphazardly or selfishly, we now walk in wisdom. Because of our new life in Christ, we must walk wisely making the best use of out time. Even when I think of the word wisdom, I realize that this is humanly impossible for me. Wisdom can only come from God, from a new life [new creation] with a new mind that is renewed by the Spirit of God. God calls for me to be a living sacrifice which is my spiritual worship. Nowhere does it say this is optional. I know that the best use of time implies that time is short and must be considered valuable. No frittering! Instead I need to be purposeful, looking for opportunities to share Jesus. 

Not only does my time need to honor God but so does my speech. It must always be gracious, seasoned with salt so I may know how to answer every man. As I think of this, 1 Pet. 4 comes to mind so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. It is pastime for me to do what the Gentiles do. Now I must speak of my new life. Since I am saved by grace, it is logical that my speech would be gracious. I think this would mean full of grace. The grace of God fills me and overflows  to others. I can't speak out of selfishness, frustrated because I didn't get my way. My way must become His way. But what does it mean to be seasoned with salt? Mt. 5:13 says we are to be the salt of the earth. Again this is a new life, He has filled me with grace and seasoned me with salt, His salt. Salt normally can heal, improve taste, or preserve life. Do I speak accordingly? Are my words healing to others who are hurting? Do my words improve or add to the conversation? Am I actively seeking opportunities to share Christ in whatever I say? To preserve life, I must share Jesus because He is life. Is Jesus evident in my life that my walk and talk are vitally different?

Father,

I want to walk in wisdom and speak graciously. Teach me how to do this. I confess I have failed so many times, but I ask You to help me again .

In Jesus name,

Amen

As to the Lord

Col. 3:23

And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. 

Paul was speaking specifically to slaves when he said these words [v. 23], but immediately before this verse he had spoken to other groups similarly. Wives submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord [v. 18]...Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord [v. 20]. Slaves obey in everything those who are your earthly masters [v. 22].  The command to obey or submit seems to fit all authority relationships. Paul taught that the opposing side of these relationships carried with it responsibility. Husbands are to love their wives and refrain from being harsh. [An attitude that could make the wives submission easier and even a joy]. Fathers are told not to provoke their children so that the children will not be discouraged, and masters are told to treat their slaves justly and fairly.

Could v. 23, And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward, apply to all the groups in this passage? Certainly keeping this principle in mind could give a spiritual reason for obedience. Whatever the wife, child, or servant does must be as to the Lord. The same goes for the husband, father, and master. Keeping the Lord foremost in the mind transports the situation into the heavenly realm. Paul went on to say, You are serving the Lord Christ. Service to Jesus should be the initial thing that any believer thinks of as they go about the responsibilities of the day regardless of anyone's position in life.

 But what if the husband, father, or master is not a believer? Then verse 23 takes on and even greater significance. Working for Jesus and not for the temporal human relationship would drastically alter the human dynamic. If the husband, father, master were unsaved then obeying for the sake of the Lord could give spiritual significance to a negative or even cruel situation. It could give that strength and hope that anyone subservient would need. Paul ended the chapter with For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. What an encouragement to those who are under the hand of unjust or unfair conditions! God is not partial! The wife, child, slave, husband, father, and master all can fit into this concept. God is not partial in any situation. The down side is that this lack of partiality may not be seen in this lifetime. Those who are not treated fairly may die working heartily for the Lord for God's purposes far outlast any human life. So the final and only recourse is, whatever you do, do it for the sake of Jesus. 

Father,

My heart is pricked as I realize how many times I have verbally rebelled at my husband or even my father in years gone by. I haven't always operated of doing all things for you. I am sorry. Give me a spirit of wisdom so that I may keep working and living for Jesus my main motivation in everything.

In Jesus name,

Amen

See and Seek

Col. 3:1-3

 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

If I have been risen with Christ, and I have, then my life must be totally different. Instead of looking horizontally at what the world has to offer, I must look above to see and seek the things that are there. The choice is simple, things above or things on earth. Perhaps the problem comes in the fact that the things that are above are intangible and eternal while the things on earth are very tangible, sensory, and short-lived. Because the here and now has such a strong appeal, it's easy to forget that these things are temporary. 

Since Christ lives within me, as does His Holy Spirit, my senses and my vision are satisfied by very different things. The eternal things: resurrection life, eternal life, worship, prayer, love, the Fruit of the Spirit, etc. become vastly more important. So much so that they are extremely desirable. Even though this sounds like the things of the earth would be overshadowed to the point of extinction, it's not really true. The more I feed my Spirit from His word, the more I desire to see and to seek, but in an instant, the things of earth can pop up and lead me away from the things that really matter. My body of flesh is ever seeking it's old stomping ground.

Paul wrote to encourage these believers as well as to instruct them. They were to see and seek what is above where Christ is. There is the key! I am seeking Christ, and Christ means a living relationship. It's not like the things that are above are in an elaborate, heavenly storefront just there for the taking, like a quick fix. No, it's a relationship, and all relationships take time to grow and develop. I am to see and seek Jesus Christ! And I can only do this when my mind is set. What is a mindset? I think it is the focus or lens through which all else is perceived. If my lens is Jesus Christ Himself, then all the world offers will be seen clearly as tawdry, dissatisfying, foolish, and unbelievably short-lived. Why? Because all that the world offers is based on a lie! Satan, who calls the world's shots, is the father of all lies. What he promises will never come true. His actions and temptations are nothing but vain counterfeits. So of course, why wouldn't I want to look above. 

Finally, added to my personal relationship with Jesus my life is hidden with Christ in God. Hidden from whom? No doubt Satan and all his cohorts who seek to undo my life. I think that once I am consistently seeing and seeking, I will understand more and more what this means on a practical level. In order for me to be hidden, I must have died. Just as Christ died and was raised again, so must I. The imperatives for me are: seek the things that are above, seek Jesus Christ as a relationship, constantly remember that I have died to this world, and live like my life is hidden with Christ in God. 

Father,

Thank You for raising me to new life in Christ. Help me to see and to seek the heavenly things. Give me wisdom to strengthen my relationship with Christ, to understand what it means to be hidden with Christ in God, and to be dead to this world. 

In Him,

Amen

The Substance

Col. 2:17

These are but a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

Anything added on to Jesus Christ is a mere shadow, a reflection without being the real thing. Jesus is the substance, the real thing. What a great word! It makes me think of the substance of an issue [the real thing]. Jesus is the real thing for all who believe. His substance becomes my all! I must hold on to the head and not be swayed by anything else, that includes any new wave of religious thought. The whole body of Christ is nourished and held together through its joints and ligaments and grows with a growth that is from God. Without holding fast to the substance, to Christ, the head, there will be no vital connection with the body which allows for its nourishment and its growth. Christ makes the growth that only comes from God possible because he is from God.

Father,

Continue to grow me into the head, into Christ. Help me to live every moment with the knowledge with the true substance foremost in my mind. Reveal to me things that try to be the substance but are mere shadows. Give me the wisdom and spiritual eyesight to discern the substance above all else.

In Jesus name,

Amen

The Many

Lk. 7:41-42

 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?"

Jesus posed a simple question. Who will love Him more? After even a brief reading of these verses, the automatic answer is the one whose debt was larger. The Pharisee answered correctly, but he could not apply this principle to his own life. Jesus explained further. Simon, the Pharisee, agreed that he had not given Jesus water to wash His feet, but the woman [of the city] had wet His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. Again he had not given Jesus a kiss, but the woman had not ceased to kiss His feet. And again, he had not anointed His head with oil, yet this woman anointed His feet with precious ointment. 

Jesus' next statement was a shocker and caused the those who were at the table to question who He was. Jesus said, Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace." I know this caused dissension and indignation, but I wonder if any of Simon's friends seated at the table understood what Jesus was saying. Did any of them admit their need for a Savior?

These statements are so true! It is the person whose life is belly-up that sees a need for a Savior, but the person who is good [by the world's standards] sees no need at all. They think they are A-ok. In fact many times they look condescendingly on those who have a need for Jesus or who have already accepted Him as a Savior. Yes, Jesus is the answer for the needs of mankind. It is not in charitable giving, amassing a great wealth and helping others off the top, or even in traveling the globe to preserve the planet. Without Jesus whatever is accomplished is doomed to be short-lived. 

Father,

Thank You for granting me to see my need and allowing me come to you for what I need. I praise Your name for Your great salvation and your daily and continual love for me.

In Him,

Amen

Intercessory Prayer

Col. 1:9-14

 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.  He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

What a blessing it is when we pray for one another's spiritual growth! Prayers for the daily needs are great, but if we prayed like this prayer, we would be giving fellow Christians the tools with which to handle daily needs. Paul had not ceased to pray for them. Their spiritual growth was a burden on his heart. So for me that should be step 1 for intercession. I must be burdened for the spiritual life of others that God brings in my life. 

The content of my prayer should include being filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. This is essential for every believer. We must know His will. How many times have I wondered if I was making the right decision? But once again I think this prayer would solve that problem. It would be the foundation from which all decisions would be made. The result of this prayer would be walking worthy of the Lord, full pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Wow! This is what I want. I want my life, every decisions and all my thoughts and motives to be pleasing to Him. I want to bear fruit and increase in knowing God. I want to walk worthy. I know that God has to grant me all these things because it can only be through His grace. Hence the need for prayer.

The next step is being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,  giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. I cannot live like this on my own or in my own strength. It must be through Him strengthening me according to His might. It is in His strength that I will have endurance and patience with joy. How crucial is that! To endure with joy! When all this is in place in my life, I will be thanking the Father who has given me so many gifts. I will be thankful because I can see that the inheritance of the saints is being a true statement. I can be God's inheritance because I am operating in His strength. He has made me worthy. 

He has delivered me from the domain of darkness and transferred me to the kingdom of the beloved son, the son who died for me giving me freedom from the bondage of sin and forgiveness of sin. 

Father,

I pray this pray today asking You to make it a reality in my life. Grant me to walk worthy of the calling to which You have called me.

In Him,

Amen

Thoughts and Actions

Phil. 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 

There have been times that I have struggled with knowing the will of God. If I would have listened to the message of these words, my actions and thoughts would have been different. Is it true? Is what I am thinking and planning true? True by what standard, by the standard of the word of God. Do my actions and thoughts line up with the truth of God's word. I have often heard this verse applied to worrying when a person dwells on what they should have done [hindsight] or what might happen [foresight]. Even though they know the worrying isn't going to change a thing, they often seem trapped in this thought process. Using 'truth' as a guide would be invaluable. Not just for handling worrying, but for handling self-pity, loneliness, and feelings of isolation and not belonging. 

Is it honorable? Perhaps that would refer to actions that bring honor to God. Is my activity or plan bringing honor to Him? Ouch! That is hard question. I know I [and many other] say that I want all I do to bring honor to God, but I wonder if that is true practically. So much of my life I just live on auto-pilot. Doing what I have always done without really considering if these things are honoring God. I function in the realm of necessary or essential. But I know that even those things can be honoring to God that is if I keep Him in my thoughts. If I am talking to Him and acknowledging Him all through the day.  

What does 'just' mean? I think it would mean not taking advantage of another person or not valuing a relationship. My life should operate in fairness to all those that God has placed in my life. Also my thoughts and actions should be pure. This one is actually difficult. There is so much in our media, TV, and movies that should not be allowed to enter our minds. No justification or rationalization should make that right. I confess I have found myself laughing at sin, at people who practice a life that violates all Scripture. 

Lovely and commendable--Two words that are hard to grasp. When I think of lovely, I think of Jesus, of nature, of art, of quilting, of all the things that he has allowed in my life that bring me joy. What I have experienced is that the things in the world fade in comparison to Jesus and the Word. The more time I am in the Word and thinking on Jesus, the less time I am in the world, the less times I am drawn to the world. I find Jesus has altered my tastes.  Commendable  means that I would recommend it someone else. That is complicated thing. Certainly, I would recommend Jesus and spiritual things to another. But when it comes to the world, that is much harder because things are not cut and dried.What one person thinks is OK may not be for another. So I can see how Jesus must control every area of my life. 

Excellent and worthy of praise,  I enjoy watching the Olympics because of the excellence of skill and praise- worthy performances.I think that I must choose carefully what I see, watch, think about, and indulge in . I must use this verse as my guide, constantly bringing it to mind. How many things are excellent and worthy of praise? 

Father,

As I have thought on these words, I see that I have sinned in some areas, Help me to live bringing honor to You, praising the excellent things You have done, and  commending You to others. I love You.

In Him,

Amen

No Worry

Phil. 4:6-7

 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The antidote for worry is prayer. But how many times does a worried person turn to God in prayer? It sounds so simple, yet so hard to do. In everything...nothing is to big or too small even though the human response is to try and figure a way out. Somehow we think our personal strength and ingenuity is better than talking with the God of the universe, the God who put in place all situations, circumstances, and people. He is the source of it all! 

With thanksgiving...Coming to God with a thankful heart cancels out the worry. Can a person be thankful and worry at the same time? Probably not. If I am truly thankful for everything that comes into my life, then I can't worry about the 'everything.' I must live in the reality that God has put all things in my life for His purpose and pleasure, and rest in the fact that all things in my life are for my good. The only thing I can do is trust Him and not let worry have a foothold. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. How wonderful! If I pray and trust, then peace will flood my life. Peace and worry can not in the same space. Peace cancels worry! But how? By guarding my heart and mind through Jesus Christ. It is such amazing grace that through Christ I can have this peace every moment! It is foolish Christians who allows worry to rule in their life. In essence they are rejecting the peace of God. God is offering me a choice---worry or peace. Hmmm...which one would I choose? It should be a no-brainer, but human flesh is such a powerful opponent, one that magnifies the 'everything' and inspires worry. I must claim these verses constantly so that I can live in the peace of God. 

Father,

Thank You for Your peace and the power of prayer. I want to have a thankful heart, Lord, but I must confess that I don't always have one. Give me Your grace and strength to claim these verses continually. 

In Him,

Amen 

Knowing Him

Phil. 3:10

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Now I see the positive side of Paul's commitment. Previously, it was to count all things as rubbish for the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ. He was ridding himself of the world but in these verses he clearly stated his spiritual goals. First, he  was to press on to make the goal his own since Jesus had made him His own. This was his total focus, but he knew he hadn't accomplished it yet. Even with the unwavering commitment and singleness of focus, he knew he must grow even more! His sanctification was an ongoing process. Just think how it would be to think and live like you hadn't arrived, like you must ever be learning and growing in Christ. [This is the way that all believers must live.] 

Secondly, He was going to forget what was behind [regrets, hurts, and failures] and strain forward to what was ahead [which is exactly how I should live]. What was ahead for Paul? The prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. How glorious! What comes to mind for me is the throne room of God in Rev. 5:9-14. Just to be a part of the worship of the Lamb is a glorious hope. Why? Because our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. This is our motivation as well as our hope. We want to know Him, the power of His resurrection, sharing in His sufferings and becoming like Him in death.

Father,

These verses are so strong and exciting. I want to be there worshiping and praising the Lamb. Give me strength to stand and grace to grow so that I will be straining forward for this prize.

In His name,

Amen

Rubbish

Phil. 3:8

Indeed I count everything as loss because of he surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Paul threw out some commands in a 'finally' sort of way. He began with a positive and sandwiched in some negatives only to be followed by a positive.  Rejoice in the Lord. Look out for evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision , who worship by the Spirit of God and give glory in the flesh and put no confidence in the flesh...

He went on to show the foolishness of having confidence in the flesh. He regaled them with his list of fleshly achievements: circumcised on 8th day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee, ;as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to unrighteousness under the law, blameless. Quite impressive! I wonder how many Jews could have such a resume. But what was Paul's attitude about these accomplishments? Whatever he had gained in his life, he now counted it as loss for the sake of Christ. Christ had turned his world upside down. His priorities were vastly different. He lived to preach only Christ and Him crucified. Then he restated it for emphasis. Indeed I count everything as loss because of he surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Now he has gone from accomplishments to all things! For the sake of Christ, he was willing to lose all things and count them as rubbish. Rubbish! He never looked back longingly at what he used to have and used to be. He only wanted to be found in Jesus covered in His righteousness, a righteousness that comes from faith and not works [law]. What a commitment! 

What is my attitude toward accomplishments and all things in life? Do I consider everything rubbish or even paling in comparison to Jesus? I am seeing how my disease process has taught me over and over again that I cannot have confidence in the flesh. I must trust Jesus. Still in all practicality I am not sure that I would call life rubbish. I mean if I did my life would be ordered somewhat differently?

Father,

These verses have cut close to my heart today. I confess I still value some things the world offers. I still want people to notice if I have done something worthy of praise. But Lord, I do want to live only for you. Strengthen me so that I might begin to see the rubbish of it all.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Two Examples

Phil. 2:19

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you.

Paul sent two men to the Philippians so that he could hear of their progress in the Lord. The first man, Timothy, came with high recommendations. Paul stated that he would be genuinely concerned for their welfare. This is truly an amazing trait since most other men care more for their own interests rather than those of Jesus Christ. Such humility comes only with having the mind of Christ. [2:5] And secondly, he had proven worth as a son with a father. Timothy had been trained by Paul himself. His faith had proved unwavering.These are 2 very important qualities that should be in all believers. We should be genuinely concerned for other believers [Phil. 2:3-4] and our faith should stand the test of time. 

Phil. 2:25

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.

Paul also sent Epaphroditus with Timothy because earlier the Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to Paul to minister to him. During his ministering to Paul he became very ill nearly dying. But God spared his life which was a mercy not only to Paul but also to Epaphroditus. Paul named him a brother [in the Lord], a fellow worker [not an observer, but one who jumps into the fray], a fellow soldier [he stood with Paul in his persecution], and a messenger [from the Philippians]. How wonderful it is to see what it means to serve Christ and to see his relationship with other believers. He was no spectator but instead met the need when he saw it. This man's life show us clearly what it means to come alongside another believer, what it means to minister to another, and what it means to serve Christ. Paul said that he would be all things to all people so that they might know Christ. It seems as if this was true in Epaphroditus' case. Whatever the need he was willing to fill it and that even to the point of illness and death. But Paul wanted to encourage the Philippians and give them cause for rejoicing when he sent Epaphroditus to them.  They were encouraged to receive him in the Lord and honor him because he nearly gave his life for the work of the ministry. 

Two great examples of what it means to be serving Christ. I must ask myself am I more concerned for the needs of others than my own? Do I have proven worth? Am I willing to come alongside other believers in persecution or in whatever they need?

Father, 

Give me a heart for my fellow believers. Make me others-centered as opposed to thinking of myself. Help me to see through life to the spiritual opportunities that You have for me there. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

I Purpose God Works

Phil. 2:13

...for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

In v. 12 Paul told the Philippians to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, and yet in v. 13 he said that God would work in believers. Even though the ideas seem to be contradictory, they are both true. At the same time that believers work, God works. How is this possible? It is all through His grace. Once saved, Christians are filled with the Spirit and given more grace, enough to use every day, every moment. In fact, grace is the sufficiency of the believer. Through the Spirit and God's grace, believers work! Still I think it's easier to understand in the head than to live it on a daily basis.   

In the following verses, Paul gives a command. Do all things without grumbling or questioning so that believers might shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life. Do we just purpose never to grumble or question? I think this situation is a one on one. I purpose and God works because it is only through His Spirit and His grace that I can purpose at all. Then if I were to fail, I shouldn't beat myself up. Instead I should pray and confess it as sin. 

Paul addressed this grumbling in 1 Cor. 10 where he referred to the Israelites on their wilderness walk. All Israel drank and ate the same spiritual food for they drank from the rock [Christ]. Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased...Why? First, Paul told how their actions and attitudes were and are examples for believers to follow. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.  Here is the answer! Grumbling is sin! Those who grumbled experienced the judgment of God in the most horrific way. Later in this passage God promised to help believers in this issue. No temptation has taken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. I purpose, and God works. I think that without my purposing, there would be nothing for God to work with. My task is simple to purpose, to obey, and to trust in the promise of God. I can stand in His grace and strength but I need to be watching and praying. Finally, do not grumble or question. 

Father,

This attitude is certainly common to all men and women, but I see today how serious it is. I confess my own grumbling.  Let Your grace flow freely through me so that my heart is clean before You. Give me grace to stand, to be Your light in this world. 

In Jesus name,

Amen

Unity

Phil. 2:5

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

How important unity is! Paul stated that because there is encouragement in Christ, and because there is participation in the Spirit, and because there is affection and sympathy, believers can be of one mind. These three areas grow unity because they are realities in Christ. Every believer needs to examine himself to see if he or she is living in the reality of Christ.  The Spirit indwells every believer and works within that believer so that he or she can see and experience their new life in Christ. They can and must live in the reality of the body of Christ. Within this body [that all believers are part of], there is encouragement, affection and sympathy. The more the body bonds, the more the body grows in unity.

Paul then taught a hugely important truth, one that often reeks havoc in the body, that is that believers often must never operate out of rivalry and conceit. When this happens, it is the flesh taking control. Living the Christian life in the flesh often results in strife, in people wanting more attention than others, and in people thinking they are better than others in the body. Instead believers are to be humble counting others more significant than themselves. When this happens, believers are not looking to their own interests but to the interests of others. With a mind-set like this unity will result!

Finally, believers are to have the mind of Christ. What was His mindset? He gave up equality with God to become a servant. He was born as a man and humbled Himself to the point of death, death on a cross. His life was and is the pattern for all believers. We are to live humbly with one another, because humility is the way the body of Christ grows. It is the way we can be encouraged in Christ, we can participate in the Spirit, and we can have affection and sympathy for others in our body, and we can count others more significant than ourselves.

Father,

Help me to operate with the mind of Christ, to love and care for others, to count their needs more significant than mine. I confess many times this is not my thinking. Give me Your grace so that I might love the body as I should. Make this a reality even in my home.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Life or Death

Phil. 1:21

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Either way, life or death, Paul's life was only and always about Christ [suffering included]. For him, life was sharing the gospel with more people as well as ministering to those who had claimed the name of Jesus, and death would mean being home with the Christ that he loved so much. What a choice! The presence of Christ or persecution while ministering. So until that time that Christ called him home, he would keep ministering. It wasn't a choice for him to make. It must come from the top down. In light of His life circumstances, he must share with the Philippians an important message.

His message concerned their walk. Only let your manner of life be worthy of he gospel of  Christ... In this particular case 'walking worthy' meant standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel. Apparently their unity was lacking. Their focus was distracted from their faith by persecution. Certainly persecution is distracting and downright scary! They were afraid of their persecutors. But Paul says to face them without fear so that their enemies would know that destruction was reserved for them. In times of stress, especially persecution, the natural response is to run and hide. But Paul encouraged them to stand fast unified with all the members of the body. The truth of the matter is; For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. What they had seen in the life of Paul would now be their personal experience. The believers only recourse [then and now] is to stand fast and be united in faith with others undergoing the same fate, that is if they want to walk worthy. Persecution is part of our faith. This is the believer's grant, his gift. 

In order to do this they [and we] must adopt the Paul's insight, that is to live is Christ and to die is gain. Living for Christ and walking worthy means that the walk of the world has no value anymore. Their eyes are constantly and only on Christ. How convicting is this! Where are my eyes? Is my heart ready for persecution? Am I speaking out for Christ like I should be?

Father,

I know that living is Jesus and dying is being in His presence. Yet, fear still strikes my heart when I think of persecution. Strengthen me so that I can walk worthy of Christ.

In His name,

Amen 

Prayer

Phil. 1:9-11

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,  so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I have prayed this prayer many times before today because of the ideas it expresses, ideas that are key elements for growth in Christ. .But as I was reading this passage again this morning, I thought of the love that preceded the prayer. Paul's heart was one of thankfulness for these believers. When he prayed, he always thanked God for them because their hearts and his heart were united for the sake of the gospel. He was sure that God who began this work in them would complete it. He knew the surety of their salvation. Again he expressed his love by saying that they were in his heart because they were  partakers of the same gospel. To me this speaks of the love that all believers should have for one another, a love so intense that they would pray constantly for one another's spiritual growth. Then finally he tells them he yearns for them with the affection of Jesus Christ. How strong is that! Sadly, many times believers including me, have told someone that they would pray for them and then have totally forgotten to pray. Perhaps this is the reason why. Are they really in my heart? Do I thank God for them whenever I pray? Do I yearn for them with the affection of Christ? What a prayer life Paul must have had. Mine is puny to the max in comparison. But my heart is stirred this morning by Paul's example and by the great words of this prayer, a prayer that I would want to be true in my life and in the life of all the believers that I know.

Father,

Through Your grace help me to love other believers. Open my eyes to see the moments where I could spread Your love to others. Lord, alter my priorities so that I may pray diligently for others.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Stand

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

Be strong, not in myself, but in the Lord! My strength will certainly fail! Why? Because the battle is not one of flesh and blood [although flesh and blood may be injured and physical life even threatened or extinguished], but it is one of spiritual forces, forces that I may not even see or hear. And even if I could see them, I wouldn't be able to mount an offensive. But if I stand in the Lord using His armor then the victory is assured. How simple is that! So why do I often fall prey to the schemes of the devil without standing in His armor? Maybe it is because of the enemy's very nature.  It involves rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Oh my! These are forces far bigger than my puny strength, but they are puny in comparison to my God! God is offering me a strategic plan for my battle. He has not left me at loose ends or unprepared. It is my choice. I must choose God and His armor. Therefore [ in light of all these truths], take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore... The command is not complicated. I must stand in the power of God.

Father,

Teach me to stand in Your power every day when all the mundane things of life seek to take me down. Help me to be a victor in Your name.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Afflictions

Ps. 119:75

I know, O Lord, that Your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. 

I think that most people would not associate God's faithfulness with affliction. Instead afflictions are negative, a thing to avoid or to be endured. People just want it to be over! But how transforming would it be to think that behind affliction is the hand of God's faithfulness. It would give affliction an entire new twist. Perhaps we could even rejoice because of God's faithfulness to us. I think the problem comes in our thinking. Do we view affliction as a negative or a positive? Do we associate growth in the Lord as a negative or a positive? Always a positive, but if that growth comes through affliction, it often becomes a negative. Quite revealing! We want the growth but without the pain and difficulty. We want God to give us a pass. 

Ps. 119: 71-72 says, It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Here is another plus from afflictions. They teach us God's word. In fact, so much so that the word become better to us than extreme riches. Now that is a thought that blows your mind! Could it be that the reason we don't relish affliction is because we are not in the word enough? Seems logical. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the hear.  Are we giving enough time for the word to discern our thoughts and intentions? It is through this discerning that we can begin to understand our motives in all that we do including our motives and thoughts concerning affliction. 

Father,

I thank You for my afflictions. I know they have given me a love for Your word, and they have made me so much more dependent on You. But I have such a long ways to go. Reveal to me thoughts and motives that are pulling me down. Help me to walk in You constantly rejoicing in whatever comes my way.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Yes and No

Eph. 5:19-20

...addressing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In Eph. 5:1-21 Paul gave positive commands closely followed by negative counterparts. These commands are essential if the believer is to be what he should be.

• Be imitators of God- Why? It is amazing to me that I am His beloved child, and that He thinks I can be His imitator. He knows what is possible through Him. I think I am often hampered by my own fearful flesh, afraid to step any farther.
• Walk in love-The example is Christ. His love was self-sacrificial costing Him His life.Is my love like His? How sacrificially do I love anyone?
• Thanksgiving- in all situations no matter how difficult or tempting. Obviously, if thanksgiving replaced negative sinful behaviors, there would be a huge difference in my life.  [sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking] For the final nail on the coffin, Paul stressed again that  anyone involved in sexual immorality, impurity, or covetousness will NOT inherit the kingdom of Christ and God. Strong Words!
• Do not become partners with those who walk in darkness. [They give only empty words that will  receive the wrath of God]. 
• Walk as children of light-that is walking in all that is good, right, and true. Only through Grace!
• Try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.-This sounds definitely easier than it is to do it. [Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness.] I think this must come from immersion in the word. 
• Look carefully how you walk.-in wisdom
• Make the best use of the time-because the days are evil
• Understand what the will of the Lord is-and in this passage Paul has made many things abundantly clear.
• Be filled with the Spirit-do not get drunk with wine.
• Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Even if this were all the word of God that I had, and if I obeyed just these commands, my life would be drastically changed. God's will is clearly stated here. Yet to walk in love and in light are still hard to understand. How much of the world do I participate in? What does it mean to be in the world but not of the world? Inclusion vs. Separation? Also how do I make the best use of my time? I am thinking being filled with the Spirit is the key to so much of the areas that are not clearly stated. 

Father,

Thank You for the passages that make Your will clearly understood. Grow me more each day so that I can be an imitator of You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Speech

Eph. 4:29

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 

Paul gave 3 qualifiers for the talk of a believer. First my speech should not be corrupting. When I think of something that is corrupting, it brings to mind very evil speech. And certainly that is true, but I also think it means speech that is socially acceptable but still sinful as in the case of causing a brother to stumble, careless words [speaking without thinking], gossip, and grumbling. I wonder if I had something that could play back my speech over a specific time period [maybe a month], what would I hear? Probably not a pretty picture. How insidious are the sins of speech, sneaking in and catching believers unaware. I need to remember to let my yes be yes and my no no. I need to think about what I say before it floods out of my mouth.

Secondly, my speech must be good for building up.  How many times are my words just nothingness, something to fill the silence? As I have thought about this, I have tried to listen and not talk in conversations [more than one on one], and it has shown me that the conversations proceeded adequately without me. It has made me reevaluate my words. I know that I should be edifying in what I said so I will have to keep that in the forefront of my mind. No doubt my words would be more valuable if I examined their nature to see if building up was foremost. 

Thirdly, my words should give grace to those listening. Now that is a big order! If I am to share the grace of God in word, then my words should be edifying as well.  Grace-words are words of forgiveness, understanding, and love. In fact, my words must be my ministry! So much damage is done by a thoughtless word, and even more damage is done by a mean word. What do my words reveal about me? Is my love for Jesus shining through?

Father,

Reveal to me the effects of my words. Teach me to speak so that I bring honor to You. I desperately need compassion and love to flow from my mouth. Fill me with grace so that this is a reality in my life.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Learned Christ

Eph. 4:17

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 

When the body has grown itself up into the head, into Christ and is building itself up in love, then it follows logically and spiritually that believers will no longer walk in the futility of their minds as the Gentiles do. They are no longer darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them. Their callous hearts become tender, and their unsatisfied sensuality is now satisfied in Jesus. 

However, from the passage it appears that some believers were hanging on to their old life. Was that a problem just for that time? Sadly, this problem is still in existence and even flourishing. Can a believer truly savor what the world is offering? Matt.7 says that we cannot serve and love 2 masters either we will hate the one or love the other, he will be devoted to one and despise the other. There is no peaceful co-existence. Paul explained it in this passage with these words, But that is not the way  you learned Christ-- assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self. How have I learned Christ? Has He ever told me to love Him and the world simultaneously? No! I am to be renewed in the spirit of my mind, putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. How beautiful those words are! I can be radically changed in my mind and my body. Through Him, I can put off my old self and live in the new life, a life that reflects the likeness of God. Amazing!

Father,

Through Your grace, strengthen me to put off and put on. Transform my mind so that I make the right decisions from a renewed mind.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Mature Manhood

Eph. 4:15

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him who is the head, into Christ. 

What a powerful passage! Beginning at verse 1, I read that I should walk worthy of my calling. How? First I know that my walking can only be empowered by grace and granted by God. When my desire and God's great power come head to head, then I can walk with humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. Certainly these traits underscore the fact that my walk can only be through His power and grace because this side of heaven means these traits are not my natural response to people. Sad to say my life parallels Rom. 7 where Paul said that he had the desire to do right but not the ability to carry it out. So he found it to be a law that when he wanted to do right, evil was close at hand.  How could Paul write those words? As I read about his life, I can't see this struggle at all. It makes me realize how much I need His grace and strength. 

Christ gifted believers according to the measure of His grace, but the gifts were not uniform in nature or position. He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists and the pastors and teacher. Why did we need all this leadership? To equip the saints for the work of the ministry and for building up the body of Christ. Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. What unbelievable words! Through Christ I can grow to maturity in Him, to His fullness. What would that even be like? How would it manifest itself? I don't have to know, I just have to trust that He will work this out in me. I just have to give Him my heart without reservation and trust Him to work it out as He will.  

All of this is so that I will no longer be a child who is unsure about what is truth and what is false. Christ wants me to grow up into Him because He is my head. I am part of His body, a body that is constantly being built up. And then when all is right, and each part of the body is functioning as it should, the body will grow and build itself up in love. What a glorious plan for my life!

Father,

It is truly amazing what You plan to do in my life. Grant me Your grace and strength so that I might walk as You would have me. Grow me into maturity into the fullness of Christ. Reveal to me any reservations that I might have so that I can confess and repent. I am Yours and You are mine. Thank You so much!

In Jesus name,

Amen