Philippians 4: 4-7
Paul has been encouraging us to live our lives according to God's ways, following the pattern He gave us in Jesus and in Paul.
(4) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
When we live this way, giving grace to one another, then we will be able to rejoice in the Lord! We will be able to "practice the presence of God" in our lives continually, and the Joy of the Lord will fill us.
(5) Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Then God's gentle Spirit will show forth in our spirit, so that people will see the difference in us. Our whole attitude and thinking processes will be turned around, and others will see Christ in us. The Lord is near in us, and with us, and will soon come to be King over us.
(6) Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
So, we don't need to worry or be anxious about any of the chaotic panic that surrounds us; we can be protected from it all, sharing all our concerns and needs with God. Praying and talking with our Daddy about everything will open us up to His embrace as we curl up in His lap!
(7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
That's when the peace of God will overpower the effects of this world on us and we will experience release of stress. His peace, surrounding and permeating our hearts and minds, will be God's bubble shutting it all out. It is incomprehensible to those around us, who are still being battered by the storms; and we won't even understand it, even while we enjoy His sweet presence with us.
O my Father, You are God, You are Creator of everything that is. You know us down to the molecule, and Your love for us is beyond our understanding. Your care for us provides shelter in the storm, provision in our poverty, and protection from attack. You have already met all of our needs: physical, emotional, financial, social, spiritual, and eternal.
O Father, continue to hold us in Your arms, even as You send us out into the world to seek and save the lost. Lead us to Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth into Your family, and open the ears of every living being to hear and understand how You love us all.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come hastily, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Monday, March 30, 2020
"Help These Women"
Philippians 4: 1-3
(1) Therefore,
When there's a "therefore" we need to understand what it's there for:
We saw yesterday that we were to live our lives according to the pattern God has showed us in Jesus and in Paul.
my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
These brothers and sisters in Philippi are so dear to Paul, he really loves them deeply. He misses them and wants them to grow into spiritual maturity.
(2) I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
These two women were apparently quarreling. He didn't ask them if they wanted to make up, he simply encouraged them to make allowances so they could live in harmony, as sisters in the Lord. To live according to God's pattern.
(3) Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel,
And he asked a brother there to counsel with them, and help them learn how to get along with each other. Both of these sisters had helped Paul in his founding of this church, and he knew they needed to resolve whatever issues they had and put aside anything that irritated each other; and that they could need counseling to work through this.
together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Euodia and Syntyche and Clement and all the other Christian brothers and sisters there had been helpful to Paul in all the myriad and sundry things that needed to be done in the founding of the church there at Philippi, and Paul had come to love them all very dearly. He had won them to Christ and let them know that Jesus had put their names into His book of eternal life. And he wanted them to all get along as family members and be able to work effectively together in the work of the Lord.
When there are two people in the same congregation who are not getting along with each other, someone in that assembly needs to confront them and work with them to be able to get along and work together. Don't ask them if they want to work on it, encourage them to share what it is between them, and help them work it out. Counseling is sometimes necessary to help two people face what is separating them, and if it's really serious, they may even need to "agree to disagree" in an agreeable manner.
And if either has a bad attitude, then they sould be encouraged to forgive and give grace, and change their thinking to think God's thoughts.
We all need to submit to the Lord, and learn of Him as our example, and follow His attitudes with our own. Even if it means changing our thinking about some long-held views.
O my Father, please help us all to be able to get along with one another in this broken world. We all have issues because of the brokenness of our own human nature, and we need Your remedies for all of our maladies.
Father, I pray that You would reach Your healing hand down to Your children, and mend our deficiencies and shortcomings. Heal our physical and mental and emotional and spiritual ills, to mold and make us into the pure, perfect character of Christ.
Help us to live our lives here and now as royal children of the King, granting others the grace allowances to be able to get close enough to make a difference in their lives, to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to grow up into the full stature of the Son of God.
Then send us out, my Father, into all the world, broadcasting the good seed of Your gospel, so that everyone will know how much You love us all, and want every one of us to be in Your family.
So that all Your embryonic children will come to the birth, and no one will have any excuse.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(1) Therefore,
When there's a "therefore" we need to understand what it's there for:
We saw yesterday that we were to live our lives according to the pattern God has showed us in Jesus and in Paul.
my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
These brothers and sisters in Philippi are so dear to Paul, he really loves them deeply. He misses them and wants them to grow into spiritual maturity.
(2) I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord.
These two women were apparently quarreling. He didn't ask them if they wanted to make up, he simply encouraged them to make allowances so they could live in harmony, as sisters in the Lord. To live according to God's pattern.
(3) Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel,
And he asked a brother there to counsel with them, and help them learn how to get along with each other. Both of these sisters had helped Paul in his founding of this church, and he knew they needed to resolve whatever issues they had and put aside anything that irritated each other; and that they could need counseling to work through this.
together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Euodia and Syntyche and Clement and all the other Christian brothers and sisters there had been helpful to Paul in all the myriad and sundry things that needed to be done in the founding of the church there at Philippi, and Paul had come to love them all very dearly. He had won them to Christ and let them know that Jesus had put their names into His book of eternal life. And he wanted them to all get along as family members and be able to work effectively together in the work of the Lord.
When there are two people in the same congregation who are not getting along with each other, someone in that assembly needs to confront them and work with them to be able to get along and work together. Don't ask them if they want to work on it, encourage them to share what it is between them, and help them work it out. Counseling is sometimes necessary to help two people face what is separating them, and if it's really serious, they may even need to "agree to disagree" in an agreeable manner.
And if either has a bad attitude, then they sould be encouraged to forgive and give grace, and change their thinking to think God's thoughts.
We all need to submit to the Lord, and learn of Him as our example, and follow His attitudes with our own. Even if it means changing our thinking about some long-held views.
O my Father, please help us all to be able to get along with one another in this broken world. We all have issues because of the brokenness of our own human nature, and we need Your remedies for all of our maladies.
Father, I pray that You would reach Your healing hand down to Your children, and mend our deficiencies and shortcomings. Heal our physical and mental and emotional and spiritual ills, to mold and make us into the pure, perfect character of Christ.
Help us to live our lives here and now as royal children of the King, granting others the grace allowances to be able to get close enough to make a difference in their lives, to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to grow up into the full stature of the Son of God.
Then send us out, my Father, into all the world, broadcasting the good seed of Your gospel, so that everyone will know how much You love us all, and want every one of us to be in Your family.
So that all Your embryonic children will come to the birth, and no one will have any excuse.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 29, 2020
According To The Pattern
Philippians 3: 17-21
(17) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Paul has been seeking God and His ways in how to live his life, and now he's telling his hearers to live their lives also according to how He has learned, and to watch those who also have conformed their lives to God's ways instead of the attitudes of the world.
(18) For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ,
He's thinking of people he knows, who he's come to love, that have turned away from the Lord and are teaching other things than the Truth of God, to gain followers for themselves.
(19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
If they don't turn back to the Lord as Paul preaches, because he teaches the truth, then they will be destroyed. Their first priority seems to be their own pleasure and comfort in material things and worldly activities.
(20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
We know that we will only be here in this world temporarily, we're just passing through, on our way to our real home in heaven. Jesus will be returning to the Earth soon, to gather all of His people to carry us with Him into eternity.
(21) who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Jesus has been given Lordship over all Creation by the Father when He created everything. I see God the Father as the Brain, God the Son as the Brawn, and God the Holy Spirit as the Life and Light. This is my personal idea, and is very simplistic. But John says that God spoke and the Word He spoke is the Son who created everything that exists. And the life in Him is the light of mankind, the Holy Spirit He gives (John 1: 1-4; 14: 26).
Jesus will transform our physical bodies into spiritual bodies of light, like His body as He appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1: 13-15). This is His redemption: He has bought us out of the slave-market of sin, cleaned us up, put His Holy Spirit into us to make our human spirit alive, and severed the connection to the flesh body, so it has no more pull on us to sin. He is now leading us to live lives of purity and integrity.
That's why Paul advises us all to pattern our lives after his and others who live godly lives, so that we will grow up in Christ into the maturity of the full stature of the Son of God. We are His body, and the final Redemption will be completed when He returns to this Earth to set up His Kingdom here. We will rule with Him, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne as sovereign Lord and King and God over all.
O my Father, You gave Moses the pattern for the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and You gave us Jesus as our pattern for living. You taught Saul how to be Paul and live according to that pattern, and You want all of Your children to think and act as members of Your family.
Teach us all, Father, how to pattern our thinking processes and attitudes after Yours instead of our own. Your thoughts are not our thoughts, as so often our ideas are opposite to Yours, and therefore detrimental. O Father, our enemy has deceived the world so deeply, and blinded their eyes to see reality! Please help us, strengthen us to stand firm against the onslaught of negativity hurled at us constantly. Show us how to show the world Your ways, that will rescue them from the snares and traps that hold them.
Father, help us to reach out to all who are searching for You, that we might be able to teach them Your ways, how much You love them and care for them, and want to save them from themselves.
Fill Your house with Your uncountable children, my Father; surround Your grand Banquet Table with all of Your family, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forevermore!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
(17) Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Paul has been seeking God and His ways in how to live his life, and now he's telling his hearers to live their lives also according to how He has learned, and to watch those who also have conformed their lives to God's ways instead of the attitudes of the world.
(18) For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ,
He's thinking of people he knows, who he's come to love, that have turned away from the Lord and are teaching other things than the Truth of God, to gain followers for themselves.
(19) whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
If they don't turn back to the Lord as Paul preaches, because he teaches the truth, then they will be destroyed. Their first priority seems to be their own pleasure and comfort in material things and worldly activities.
(20) For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
We know that we will only be here in this world temporarily, we're just passing through, on our way to our real home in heaven. Jesus will be returning to the Earth soon, to gather all of His people to carry us with Him into eternity.
(21) who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
Jesus has been given Lordship over all Creation by the Father when He created everything. I see God the Father as the Brain, God the Son as the Brawn, and God the Holy Spirit as the Life and Light. This is my personal idea, and is very simplistic. But John says that God spoke and the Word He spoke is the Son who created everything that exists. And the life in Him is the light of mankind, the Holy Spirit He gives (John 1: 1-4; 14: 26).
Jesus will transform our physical bodies into spiritual bodies of light, like His body as He appeared to John on the Isle of Patmos (Revelation 1: 13-15). This is His redemption: He has bought us out of the slave-market of sin, cleaned us up, put His Holy Spirit into us to make our human spirit alive, and severed the connection to the flesh body, so it has no more pull on us to sin. He is now leading us to live lives of purity and integrity.
That's why Paul advises us all to pattern our lives after his and others who live godly lives, so that we will grow up in Christ into the maturity of the full stature of the Son of God. We are His body, and the final Redemption will be completed when He returns to this Earth to set up His Kingdom here. We will rule with Him, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne as sovereign Lord and King and God over all.
O my Father, You gave Moses the pattern for the Tabernacle in the wilderness, and You gave us Jesus as our pattern for living. You taught Saul how to be Paul and live according to that pattern, and You want all of Your children to think and act as members of Your family.
Teach us all, Father, how to pattern our thinking processes and attitudes after Yours instead of our own. Your thoughts are not our thoughts, as so often our ideas are opposite to Yours, and therefore detrimental. O Father, our enemy has deceived the world so deeply, and blinded their eyes to see reality! Please help us, strengthen us to stand firm against the onslaught of negativity hurled at us constantly. Show us how to show the world Your ways, that will rescue them from the snares and traps that hold them.
Father, help us to reach out to all who are searching for You, that we might be able to teach them Your ways, how much You love them and care for them, and want to save them from themselves.
Fill Your house with Your uncountable children, my Father; surround Your grand Banquet Table with all of Your family, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forevermore!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 28, 2020
Forgetting And Reaching
Philippians 3: 12-16
(12) Not that I have already obtained it (the resurrection, see yesterday's entry) or have already become perfect,
Paul is not claiming to have reached the goal of maturity, the word he used here for perfect is teleioo, which means "to finish," which he considers will be accomplished when he is resurrected.
but I press on
He will keep on keeping on.
that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Jesus laid hold of Paul when He knocked him to the ground on the road to Damascus. Now Paul is working out what Christ worked into him.
(13) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
Paul knew he still had a ways to go yet. As we all do.
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
He is single-minded and focused like a laser-beam. He doesn't let any distraction pull him away from his goal. He doesn't think about the past, he is stretching forward, to whatever God has placed in front of him, to go where He leads, and talk with the people He puts in his path. To share with as many as possible. And when he can't go, he writes. He never lets up.
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is really longing for his Lord! He will stay here in the world as long as God lets him, doing everything he can, every way he can, to promote God's Kingdom, helping his brothers and sisters to grow and sharing with everyone else to draw them into God's family, also.
(15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect,
Paul uses a different form of the word for perfect here, telios, that means "mental and moral character," which refers to their maturity in Christ.
have this attitude;
He wants them to focus on doing the Lord's work, not letting themselves be distracted by worldly things or opinions.
and if in anything you have a different attitude,
If anyone doesn't agree with Paul's mindset in this ...
God will reveal that also to you;
He trusts that God will get hold of them, if they are true Christians. We don't need to nag them.
(16) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
He says to be careful not to slide back into any less godly thinking. Continue to make your lifestyle as closely aligned with Christ as we can, and continue to follow His leading in the paths He is leading each of us in.
O my Father, thank You for all You are and all You do and have done already for us! You have taken care of all of our needs, even those we weren't aware of, and still aren't. You know us better than we know ourselves, and You love us more than we will ever be able to imagine!
Father, continue to be with us now. So many are floundering in this sea of confusion. Show us Your Truth in the midst of all the deception rampant in the world around us. Let us help one another whenever and wherever we can, to hold You close as You hold us.
Let our love for one another show the world that Jesus really did come to be their Savior, and draw all of Your embryonic children to the spiritual birth into Your family. And no one will have any excuse.
Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(12) Not that I have already obtained it (the resurrection, see yesterday's entry) or have already become perfect,
Paul is not claiming to have reached the goal of maturity, the word he used here for perfect is teleioo, which means "to finish," which he considers will be accomplished when he is resurrected.
but I press on
He will keep on keeping on.
that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Jesus laid hold of Paul when He knocked him to the ground on the road to Damascus. Now Paul is working out what Christ worked into him.
(13) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;
Paul knew he still had a ways to go yet. As we all do.
but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
He is single-minded and focused like a laser-beam. He doesn't let any distraction pull him away from his goal. He doesn't think about the past, he is stretching forward, to whatever God has placed in front of him, to go where He leads, and talk with the people He puts in his path. To share with as many as possible. And when he can't go, he writes. He never lets up.
(14) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul is really longing for his Lord! He will stay here in the world as long as God lets him, doing everything he can, every way he can, to promote God's Kingdom, helping his brothers and sisters to grow and sharing with everyone else to draw them into God's family, also.
(15) Let us therefore, as many as are perfect,
Paul uses a different form of the word for perfect here, telios, that means "mental and moral character," which refers to their maturity in Christ.
have this attitude;
He wants them to focus on doing the Lord's work, not letting themselves be distracted by worldly things or opinions.
and if in anything you have a different attitude,
If anyone doesn't agree with Paul's mindset in this ...
God will reveal that also to you;
He trusts that God will get hold of them, if they are true Christians. We don't need to nag them.
(16) however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
He says to be careful not to slide back into any less godly thinking. Continue to make your lifestyle as closely aligned with Christ as we can, and continue to follow His leading in the paths He is leading each of us in.
O my Father, thank You for all You are and all You do and have done already for us! You have taken care of all of our needs, even those we weren't aware of, and still aren't. You know us better than we know ourselves, and You love us more than we will ever be able to imagine!
Father, continue to be with us now. So many are floundering in this sea of confusion. Show us Your Truth in the midst of all the deception rampant in the world around us. Let us help one another whenever and wherever we can, to hold You close as You hold us.
Let our love for one another show the world that Jesus really did come to be their Savior, and draw all of Your embryonic children to the spiritual birth into Your family. And no one will have any excuse.
Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 27, 2020
Surpassing Value
Philippians 3: 7-11
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Repeating the verse we ended with yesterday, we will continue Paul's conversation.
(8) More than that, I count all things to be loss
Everything that comes between him and Christ is drawing him away from Christ, whether they are things that benefited him in the past or not.
in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
There is no comparison between material, physical things and knowing that Christ Jesus has redeemed you. Nothing of this world has any value against the eternal, magnificent future He has planned for us.
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Everything that gave Saul of Tarsis standing and respect has been lost to Paul the Evangelist, and he now sees all that as no more valuable than garbage. He now has standing and respect with the Son of God Himself!
(9) and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,
All the righteousness he had been able to claim before was according to what he was able to do in following the Law of Moses, which is earned and not acceptable to God.
but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
Because of his faith, his belief that Jesus took his death for him on the cross, he now has a righteousness that Jesus earned for him, placed on him by God the Father as a gift, on the basis of his trusting Christ.
(10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection
To know Him, not just know about Him; and to experience the power of Jesus' rising from the dead, the power to also raise us from the dead, with a spiritual body that is fit to live in the presence of God.
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
Everything Paul had to suffer, and everything we have to suffer in this life, is participating in the sufferings Jesus went through for us, human suffering and death.
(11) in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Now Paul is again considering that he may be put to death. As Christ died for us and was resurrected first, He showed that we also will be resurrected after we die. And Paul was looking forward to it.
O my Father, please help us realize that this physical life on this material Earth will always produce suffering in its brokenness. Let us feel Your presence with us, and strengthen us in all the trials and troubles and sorrows we face here. May we all grow up in Christ, to attain the spiritual and emotional maturity to the full stature of the Son of God.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Repeating the verse we ended with yesterday, we will continue Paul's conversation.
(8) More than that, I count all things to be loss
Everything that comes between him and Christ is drawing him away from Christ, whether they are things that benefited him in the past or not.
in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
There is no comparison between material, physical things and knowing that Christ Jesus has redeemed you. Nothing of this world has any value against the eternal, magnificent future He has planned for us.
for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,
Everything that gave Saul of Tarsis standing and respect has been lost to Paul the Evangelist, and he now sees all that as no more valuable than garbage. He now has standing and respect with the Son of God Himself!
(9) and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law,
All the righteousness he had been able to claim before was according to what he was able to do in following the Law of Moses, which is earned and not acceptable to God.
but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
Because of his faith, his belief that Jesus took his death for him on the cross, he now has a righteousness that Jesus earned for him, placed on him by God the Father as a gift, on the basis of his trusting Christ.
(10) that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection
To know Him, not just know about Him; and to experience the power of Jesus' rising from the dead, the power to also raise us from the dead, with a spiritual body that is fit to live in the presence of God.
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;
Everything Paul had to suffer, and everything we have to suffer in this life, is participating in the sufferings Jesus went through for us, human suffering and death.
(11) in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Now Paul is again considering that he may be put to death. As Christ died for us and was resurrected first, He showed that we also will be resurrected after we die. And Paul was looking forward to it.
O my Father, please help us realize that this physical life on this material Earth will always produce suffering in its brokenness. Let us feel Your presence with us, and strengthen us in all the trials and troubles and sorrows we face here. May we all grow up in Christ, to attain the spiritual and emotional maturity to the full stature of the Son of God.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 26, 2020
Use These Times We're In
Philippians 3: 4-7
We were just told yesterday that our flesh was cut away from the new Spiritual life we have now, so we're not to depend on the flesh, the physical world for anything.
(4) Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Paul will now list all his achievements, his resume:
(5) circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
(6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
All these things were expected of a good Jewish boy growing up in Israel to advance, to climb the ladder of success. And he succeeded.
The "dogs" he warned them against in v. 2 have nothing on him; if they are claiming authority to teach, then Paul has more credentials than they.
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Everything that gave him standing and prestige in society is what he is now saying is actually detrimental to him. It is a loss. It is what he depended on instead of Christ, which makes it all an idol.
So are we not to seek advancement in our society today?
Not if we're focusing on it instead of on Christ. Not if it is a substitute for the Spirit. Not if we're just looking to be admired by other people, instead of honored by God.
Physical things are not evil in themselves, it's our attitude toward them that determines if they draw us toward or away from God. We can use the things of this world in the power of the Spirit to promote the Kingdom of God, or we can use them instead of the Spirit and idolize them.
Like the internet: whatever you are looking for, you will find: from the very best, God-honoring content, like your church service on Sunday morning, all the way down to the most depraved and twisted porn. And everything in between. It's all there.
So when we try to get ahead in business, is it because we want more and more of this world's luxuries to spend on ourselves, or is it to increase our ability to finance God's Kingdom by giving more to the church and missionaries who are preaching the Gospel?
It all starts in our minds, our thinking processes and attitudes. How do we see things? Do we look at all the chaos and get depressed? Or do we see God using all these chaotic times to draw people to Himself, a great revival?
Do we criticize our government leaders for their totalitarian edicts? Or do we see how to use them for sharing the Gospel? How will we respond as we live through these times?
When people are in need, they're looking for an answer. Will they find it in the world's systems, or will we give to them out of God's bounty?
O my Father, please open our eyes to see how You are working in all these things that are happening all over the world. It looks very negative and dangerous, but that is just the time a hero is needed; and Your Holy Spirit in Your children makes us all super-heroes, supernatural warriors.
Father, show us how to be Your hands and feet in these changing times. Teach us how to minister to our neighbors in safe and helpful ways. Let us show Your light in these dark times.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
We were just told yesterday that our flesh was cut away from the new Spiritual life we have now, so we're not to depend on the flesh, the physical world for anything.
(4) Although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:
Paul will now list all his achievements, his resume:
(5) circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee;
(6) as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.
All these things were expected of a good Jewish boy growing up in Israel to advance, to climb the ladder of success. And he succeeded.
The "dogs" he warned them against in v. 2 have nothing on him; if they are claiming authority to teach, then Paul has more credentials than they.
(7) But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Everything that gave him standing and prestige in society is what he is now saying is actually detrimental to him. It is a loss. It is what he depended on instead of Christ, which makes it all an idol.
So are we not to seek advancement in our society today?
Not if we're focusing on it instead of on Christ. Not if it is a substitute for the Spirit. Not if we're just looking to be admired by other people, instead of honored by God.
Physical things are not evil in themselves, it's our attitude toward them that determines if they draw us toward or away from God. We can use the things of this world in the power of the Spirit to promote the Kingdom of God, or we can use them instead of the Spirit and idolize them.
Like the internet: whatever you are looking for, you will find: from the very best, God-honoring content, like your church service on Sunday morning, all the way down to the most depraved and twisted porn. And everything in between. It's all there.
So when we try to get ahead in business, is it because we want more and more of this world's luxuries to spend on ourselves, or is it to increase our ability to finance God's Kingdom by giving more to the church and missionaries who are preaching the Gospel?
It all starts in our minds, our thinking processes and attitudes. How do we see things? Do we look at all the chaos and get depressed? Or do we see God using all these chaotic times to draw people to Himself, a great revival?
Do we criticize our government leaders for their totalitarian edicts? Or do we see how to use them for sharing the Gospel? How will we respond as we live through these times?
When people are in need, they're looking for an answer. Will they find it in the world's systems, or will we give to them out of God's bounty?
O my Father, please open our eyes to see how You are working in all these things that are happening all over the world. It looks very negative and dangerous, but that is just the time a hero is needed; and Your Holy Spirit in Your children makes us all super-heroes, supernatural warriors.
Father, show us how to be Your hands and feet in these changing times. Teach us how to minister to our neighbors in safe and helpful ways. Let us show Your light in these dark times.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Spiritually Circumcised
Philippians 3: 1-3
(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
No matter what is going on around us, we all who are Christ's have the joy of the Lord, which should display even in the middle of the mess. We can't be reminded enough to continue to rejoice in the Lord. This is our "normal" state of mind.
(2) Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
Even in our positive mindset, we are to be wary of all the false teachers. They claim to be Christians, but their teachings are not according to the Truth. Their circumcision is only done in the flesh, their flesh has not been separated from their spirit.
We see how God cut away our flesh from our life in His Holy Spirit, cutting off the connection so that our flesh has no more addictive pull on our life (in Colossians 2: 11-14).
(3) for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
We who have been born into God's family have been spiritually circumcised. When God cleansed us and put His Holy Spirit in us, making our dead human spirits alive, he cut the connection between the flesh and the spirit, so we are free to do what is right, and not go back to the old bad habits that had trapped us before. So we put no importance on the flesh, since our life is spiritual, and we live our lives in worship of our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
O my Father, You are so good, and great, and gracious to us, to provide the means of breaking the addictions and bad habits that were destroying us, and teaching us how Your Holy Spirit is our life now.
Father, Your Spirit gives us the strength and power to live our lives in positively joyful days, even when the world around us is swirling negativity around us. We are still in the world, but we are not of the world. We're in it, but it's not in us any more. You have cut off that connection to the flesh that pulled us down and unshackled us; now we can fly!
Send us out, Father, to show the world how much You love them, too, and want to unshackle them also from their destructive ways. How You want to give them Your joy, to wipe away their tears and depression. To redeem them also into Your glorious paradise.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(1) Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.
No matter what is going on around us, we all who are Christ's have the joy of the Lord, which should display even in the middle of the mess. We can't be reminded enough to continue to rejoice in the Lord. This is our "normal" state of mind.
(2) Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;
Even in our positive mindset, we are to be wary of all the false teachers. They claim to be Christians, but their teachings are not according to the Truth. Their circumcision is only done in the flesh, their flesh has not been separated from their spirit.
We see how God cut away our flesh from our life in His Holy Spirit, cutting off the connection so that our flesh has no more addictive pull on our life (in Colossians 2: 11-14).
(3) for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
We who have been born into God's family have been spiritually circumcised. When God cleansed us and put His Holy Spirit in us, making our dead human spirits alive, he cut the connection between the flesh and the spirit, so we are free to do what is right, and not go back to the old bad habits that had trapped us before. So we put no importance on the flesh, since our life is spiritual, and we live our lives in worship of our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
O my Father, You are so good, and great, and gracious to us, to provide the means of breaking the addictions and bad habits that were destroying us, and teaching us how Your Holy Spirit is our life now.
Father, Your Spirit gives us the strength and power to live our lives in positively joyful days, even when the world around us is swirling negativity around us. We are still in the world, but we are not of the world. We're in it, but it's not in us any more. You have cut off that connection to the flesh that pulled us down and unshackled us; now we can fly!
Send us out, Father, to show the world how much You love them, too, and want to unshackle them also from their destructive ways. How You want to give them Your joy, to wipe away their tears and depression. To redeem them also into Your glorious paradise.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Close To Death For The Work Of Christ
Philippians 2: 25-30
(25) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
Epaphroditus carried this letter to the Philippians. Paul send him back right away to ease the whole situation between him and his home church. He has high regard for this brother who has worked and faced dangers along with Paul, and is the Philippians' messenger and their representative in ministering to him.
(26) because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
The word Paul used for "distressed" is the same one used for the Lord's emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 37; Mark 14: 33), which indicates the intensity of Epaphroditus' feelings of longing for them concerning his sickness. This suggests more than mutual concern.
(27) For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Paul admits that he had almost died, but God allowed him to get well, not only for his own sake but also so Paul would not have mourning on top of all his other sorrows and concerns.
(28) Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.
By sending him back, they will see for themselves how he is, and dispel any gossip that disparaged him in their eyes. Then Paul's mind will be set at ease, knowing that any conflict would be resolved and put to rest.
(29) Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
He's telling them to give him a hero's welcome. Why he felt it necessary to do this indicates that there may have been some misunderstanding concerning Epaphroditus' illness.
(30) because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Paul said that the sickness was not his fault, that he had become ill in his working in Christ's ministry, and that he had "filled in the gaps" of what the church at Philippi had provided, maybe in being there with Paul when they couldn't be.
O my Father, thank You for allowing Epaphroditus to get well from the illness he contracted, so that Paul could write of him and we could read of Your gracious mercy on him and Paul and the believers at Philippi. And also so we could rejoice with them, and learn to rejoice in all of our trials and tribulations, knowing that Your plans for us are for our good and Your glory.
Father, whenever we do things Your way, You grant the benefits to us. This is how You designed this world to work on the beautiful Earth You made for us. And we prosper and You get the glory.
O Father, continue to be with us in our everyday living. Continue to show us Your ways, Your views, Your understanding of what is going on around us. You know how it will all turn out, just like You knew that Epaphroditus would get well, without a healing miracle from Paul. And we don't need miracles, either; we just need to trust that You hold us in Your hand and will protect and guide us.
My Father, You are great, and You are good, and You have planned out the whole time-line of the era of Mankind in this world. You have given us our whole human history, from before the beginning to after the end, and the Star of the whole story is the Son! He is the Lord God who gave the prophets all the laws and prophesies of what He would do for us, then He came as Jesus and fulfilled them all!
Now we can be washed clean and sanitized, made fit to dwell with You in Your presence, where You live. We would never be able to look at You with our physical eyes without being completely destroyed, so You arranged for us to receive spiritual bodies. You made us the very body of Christ, to sit in His throne to rule, just as He sits in Your throne, Father, as sovereign King and God of all.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
(25) But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;
Epaphroditus carried this letter to the Philippians. Paul send him back right away to ease the whole situation between him and his home church. He has high regard for this brother who has worked and faced dangers along with Paul, and is the Philippians' messenger and their representative in ministering to him.
(26) because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.
The word Paul used for "distressed" is the same one used for the Lord's emotions in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26: 37; Mark 14: 33), which indicates the intensity of Epaphroditus' feelings of longing for them concerning his sickness. This suggests more than mutual concern.
(27) For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Paul admits that he had almost died, but God allowed him to get well, not only for his own sake but also so Paul would not have mourning on top of all his other sorrows and concerns.
(28) Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.
By sending him back, they will see for themselves how he is, and dispel any gossip that disparaged him in their eyes. Then Paul's mind will be set at ease, knowing that any conflict would be resolved and put to rest.
(29) Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;
He's telling them to give him a hero's welcome. Why he felt it necessary to do this indicates that there may have been some misunderstanding concerning Epaphroditus' illness.
(30) because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.
Paul said that the sickness was not his fault, that he had become ill in his working in Christ's ministry, and that he had "filled in the gaps" of what the church at Philippi had provided, maybe in being there with Paul when they couldn't be.
O my Father, thank You for allowing Epaphroditus to get well from the illness he contracted, so that Paul could write of him and we could read of Your gracious mercy on him and Paul and the believers at Philippi. And also so we could rejoice with them, and learn to rejoice in all of our trials and tribulations, knowing that Your plans for us are for our good and Your glory.
Father, whenever we do things Your way, You grant the benefits to us. This is how You designed this world to work on the beautiful Earth You made for us. And we prosper and You get the glory.
O Father, continue to be with us in our everyday living. Continue to show us Your ways, Your views, Your understanding of what is going on around us. You know how it will all turn out, just like You knew that Epaphroditus would get well, without a healing miracle from Paul. And we don't need miracles, either; we just need to trust that You hold us in Your hand and will protect and guide us.
My Father, You are great, and You are good, and You have planned out the whole time-line of the era of Mankind in this world. You have given us our whole human history, from before the beginning to after the end, and the Star of the whole story is the Son! He is the Lord God who gave the prophets all the laws and prophesies of what He would do for us, then He came as Jesus and fulfilled them all!
Now we can be washed clean and sanitized, made fit to dwell with You in Your presence, where You live. We would never be able to look at You with our physical eyes without being completely destroyed, so You arranged for us to receive spiritual bodies. You made us the very body of Christ, to sit in His throne to rule, just as He sits in Your throne, Father, as sovereign King and God of all.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 23, 2020
Genuinely Concerned
Philippians 2: 19-24
(19) But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I may also be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
Paul wants to send Timothy to Philippi right away, so that he can return to Paul with a report of how they are doing.
(20) For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
Timothy was with Paul when he went to Philippi and founded the church there (in Acts 16), so he was of "equal soul" with Paul in caring for the Philippians. When he says he has "no one else" he is not disparaging his other companions, but just saying that they don't have the same connection to this particular church that Timothy has.
(21) For thay all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Paul has already mentioned those who were concerned with furthering their own interests (1: 14-17), but is not unduly harsh on them. He is just noting that their hearts are not with the church in Philippi, as Timothy's is.
(22) But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Timothy was with Paul as he founded the church in that city, as already noted in Acts 16, so they knew him. And Paul wanted to encourage him and them.
(23) Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;
Paul didn't know how his trial would end, but expected a resolution pretty soon.
(24) and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
He was hoping that he would be set free; if so, then he would immediately go to see them right away.
Paul had peace about either prospect, whether he would be executed or set free. For him to live was Christ, and to die would be gain (1: 21), so it really didn't matter that much. He wanted to be further benefit to those he loved, who he had relationships with in the churches he founded, but he didn't stress about it at all.
So we shouldn't stress about life, either. Whether we can meet together physically or just virtually, we can still communicate a lot easier today than Paul did. And we can trust God to protect us or see us through whatever hardships we face. And He will still comfort us in our sorrows, and we can still praise Him for His goodness and greatness.
God does not change, and everything He said will come to pass. And we need to remember that life on this Earth will never be easy, but as Christians, God allows into our lives everything He deems helpful for us to learn the lessons we need to learn, and nothing that will harm us. And when we're taking a test in this school of life, it is for us to hone our spiritual awareness and grow in Christ.
O my Father, thank You for all You do for us. Thank You for telling us what to expect, and for preparing us for everything You know will come to pass. And thank You that nothing ever comes to stay, only to pass, in this time-stream. And when time is over, then we will go into an eternity of never-ending heavenly bliss, which I strongly suspect will be intensely interesting, never boring.
Strengthen us, Father, to go out into all the world, spreading the Good News of Your Son. Be with Your children who are undergoing severe persecution even today, and grow Your Kingdom both in maturity and numbers.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(19) But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I may also be encouraged when I learn of your condition.
Paul wants to send Timothy to Philippi right away, so that he can return to Paul with a report of how they are doing.
(20) For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare.
Timothy was with Paul when he went to Philippi and founded the church there (in Acts 16), so he was of "equal soul" with Paul in caring for the Philippians. When he says he has "no one else" he is not disparaging his other companions, but just saying that they don't have the same connection to this particular church that Timothy has.
(21) For thay all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.
Paul has already mentioned those who were concerned with furthering their own interests (1: 14-17), but is not unduly harsh on them. He is just noting that their hearts are not with the church in Philippi, as Timothy's is.
(22) But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.
Timothy was with Paul as he founded the church in that city, as already noted in Acts 16, so they knew him. And Paul wanted to encourage him and them.
(23) Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me;
Paul didn't know how his trial would end, but expected a resolution pretty soon.
(24) and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly.
He was hoping that he would be set free; if so, then he would immediately go to see them right away.
Paul had peace about either prospect, whether he would be executed or set free. For him to live was Christ, and to die would be gain (1: 21), so it really didn't matter that much. He wanted to be further benefit to those he loved, who he had relationships with in the churches he founded, but he didn't stress about it at all.
So we shouldn't stress about life, either. Whether we can meet together physically or just virtually, we can still communicate a lot easier today than Paul did. And we can trust God to protect us or see us through whatever hardships we face. And He will still comfort us in our sorrows, and we can still praise Him for His goodness and greatness.
God does not change, and everything He said will come to pass. And we need to remember that life on this Earth will never be easy, but as Christians, God allows into our lives everything He deems helpful for us to learn the lessons we need to learn, and nothing that will harm us. And when we're taking a test in this school of life, it is for us to hone our spiritual awareness and grow in Christ.
O my Father, thank You for all You do for us. Thank You for telling us what to expect, and for preparing us for everything You know will come to pass. And thank You that nothing ever comes to stay, only to pass, in this time-stream. And when time is over, then we will go into an eternity of never-ending heavenly bliss, which I strongly suspect will be intensely interesting, never boring.
Strengthen us, Father, to go out into all the world, spreading the Good News of Your Son. Be with Your children who are undergoing severe persecution even today, and grow Your Kingdom both in maturity and numbers.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Don't Complain About Earning Rewards!
Philippians 2: 14-18
(14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
Because God is working in us to want and to do His will, as we saw yesterday, we are to cooperate with Him willingly, without complaining or having a bad attitude.
(15) so that you will prove yourselves to be be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach
We are responsible to display God's family traits in our own attitudes, showing that He has cleansed us thoroughly and completely, restoring innocence and blamelessness.
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
We're still in the middle of the mess here, but we're not part of it any more.
among whom you appear as lights in the world,
Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us.
(16) holding fast the word of life,
We need to keep on keeping on thinking and acting as God's family members. It is up to us to show those in the world God's way of living, to draw them and lead them to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.
so that in the Day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Just as Paul wanted to glory in the Philippians, I anticipate being able to glory in you, my readers, as you apply God's word to your own lives, so that I will not be sharing this blog every day in vain, to no purpose.
I want you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through this technology, so the Kingdom will grow in both maturity and numbers.
(17) But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Paul thought he might be convicted and put to death for his witness and testimony, considering it to be his part of their sacrifice of faith, and was rejoicing in the prospect. And he wanted them to rejoice with him.
(18) You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
As he was sharing his joy with them, he wanted them to also share their joy with him, to make it reciprical. So they could all rejoice together.
O my Father, I pray for Your children: I pray that we would all grow up to maturity, so that the body of Christ will reach the full stature of the Son of God; and I pray that we would disseminate Your word to the whole world, so that every living being would hear and understand to choose to turn to You or reject Your gracious offer. And I pray that Your protection would be on Your children from all the filth and deception and traps.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
(14) Do all things without grumbling or disputing;
Because God is working in us to want and to do His will, as we saw yesterday, we are to cooperate with Him willingly, without complaining or having a bad attitude.
(15) so that you will prove yourselves to be be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach
We are responsible to display God's family traits in our own attitudes, showing that He has cleansed us thoroughly and completely, restoring innocence and blamelessness.
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
We're still in the middle of the mess here, but we're not part of it any more.
among whom you appear as lights in the world,
Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us.
(16) holding fast the word of life,
We need to keep on keeping on thinking and acting as God's family members. It is up to us to show those in the world God's way of living, to draw them and lead them to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.
so that in the Day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.
Just as Paul wanted to glory in the Philippians, I anticipate being able to glory in you, my readers, as you apply God's word to your own lives, so that I will not be sharing this blog every day in vain, to no purpose.
I want you to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ through this technology, so the Kingdom will grow in both maturity and numbers.
(17) But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Paul thought he might be convicted and put to death for his witness and testimony, considering it to be his part of their sacrifice of faith, and was rejoicing in the prospect. And he wanted them to rejoice with him.
(18) You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.
As he was sharing his joy with them, he wanted them to also share their joy with him, to make it reciprical. So they could all rejoice together.
O my Father, I pray for Your children: I pray that we would all grow up to maturity, so that the body of Christ will reach the full stature of the Son of God; and I pray that we would disseminate Your word to the whole world, so that every living being would hear and understand to choose to turn to You or reject Your gracious offer. And I pray that Your protection would be on Your children from all the filth and deception and traps.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Both To Will And To Work
Philippians 2: 12-13
(12) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Paul really loves these brothers and sisters in Philippi. He encourages them to continue to follow the teachings he brought them from the Lord. He says that they followed his instructions while he was with them, and it's much more pressing now that they continue to obey since he's not with them.
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
He's not saying to work "for" salvation, but to work "out" the salvation Christ won for them, and that the Father placed in them in His Holy Spirit. They are to work out in their lives what God has already put in them.
(13) for it is God
God is the one doing the work in us, it's not us; this is at His initiative, not ours.
who is at work in you,
He is doing something inside us.
both to will and to work
God puts both the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us; then He also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own. He gives us the impossible dreams, then He enables us to accomplish them, in His strength, as His hands and feet. These are the plans He planned out for each of us, to accomplish His great Plan of the Ages.
For His good pleasure.
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (big boys have big toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
It's so wonderful how God designed this Earth to function! When we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
O my Father, You are such a wonderful God! You designed this whole universe to run smoothly, like a fine instrument. And Your Spirit is the oil that keeps it humming!
And You use our decisions to move along Your plans for each of us and for all of us. Even the horrible, sinful, evil things that rebels devise, You use for good. Father, the cleverness of Your wisdom is amazing! You have given us a will that is free to choose anything within the parameters You place upon us, so that there is nothing that we can do that will put You off Your game. You see to it that everything continually moves toward the conclusion that You have planned all along.
O Father, when Your Son returns, He will have a glorious time, defeating all the forces arrayed against Him, gaining the great victory over all! It will be magnificent!
And You have given to us, Your children, to reign with Him on His throne, as He reigns with You on Your throne.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim the lordship of Christ Jesus, as the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come mightily, Lord Jesus!
(12) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
Paul really loves these brothers and sisters in Philippi. He encourages them to continue to follow the teachings he brought them from the Lord. He says that they followed his instructions while he was with them, and it's much more pressing now that they continue to obey since he's not with them.
work out your salvation with fear and trembling;
He's not saying to work "for" salvation, but to work "out" the salvation Christ won for them, and that the Father placed in them in His Holy Spirit. They are to work out in their lives what God has already put in them.
(13) for it is God
God is the one doing the work in us, it's not us; this is at His initiative, not ours.
who is at work in you,
He is doing something inside us.
both to will and to work
God puts both the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us; then He also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own. He gives us the impossible dreams, then He enables us to accomplish them, in His strength, as His hands and feet. These are the plans He planned out for each of us, to accomplish His great Plan of the Ages.
For His good pleasure.
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (big boys have big toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
It's so wonderful how God designed this Earth to function! When we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
O my Father, You are such a wonderful God! You designed this whole universe to run smoothly, like a fine instrument. And Your Spirit is the oil that keeps it humming!
And You use our decisions to move along Your plans for each of us and for all of us. Even the horrible, sinful, evil things that rebels devise, You use for good. Father, the cleverness of Your wisdom is amazing! You have given us a will that is free to choose anything within the parameters You place upon us, so that there is nothing that we can do that will put You off Your game. You see to it that everything continually moves toward the conclusion that You have planned all along.
O Father, when Your Son returns, He will have a glorious time, defeating all the forces arrayed against Him, gaining the great victory over all! It will be magnificent!
And You have given to us, Your children, to reign with Him on His throne, as He reigns with You on Your throne.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim the lordship of Christ Jesus, as the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come mightily, Lord Jesus!
Friday, March 20, 2020
Exalted Over All
Philippians 2: 9-11
(9) For this reason also,
What we saw yesterday, that Jesus humbled Himself and became a man so that He could die a human death for each of us.
God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name,
Because He humbled Himself, then the Father could exalt Him. And when we humble ourselves, He will also exalt us in Christ.
(10) so that at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth,
(11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God the Father gave God the Son Lordship over all creation. The Son is the Word of God by which He created everything that exists (John 1: 1-3).
The Father is over the Son, and the Son is over the Spirit. I see the Father as the brains, the Son as the brawn, and the Spirit as the life and light. This is very simplistic, but it's my general understanding of how order is in the Godhead.
Jesus commended the centurian for his understanding of the order of authority, saying that his faith was greater than all in Israel, in Matthew 8: 5-10. This soldier understood that Jesus had the authority to command the sickness, even at a distance.
The Son is the Lord God, the sovereign authority over all creation. Everything that exists will bow down to Him, acknowledging His supreme authority.
Everything, from stars and planets and solar systems, to the beings that think and make decisions, to the bacteria and viruses we can't see, down to the very molecules and atoms we're all made of; He's Boss and Ruler over it all.
And we as His body, are participating in His life in the Spirit, and we will help Him rule over creation as His kings and queens, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne. We have God's Life living in us in His Holy Spirit, and what He has planned for us is so far beyond what we can imagine, that the glimpse He revealed to John of what is ahead for us is described mostly by what won't be there any more! Read Revelation 21 and 22.
O my Father, You are God! There is no other! Nothing can compare to You, everything that exists is from You and is Your imagination! You are our Source for everything. You give us everything we will ever need, and in Your generosity, You give us so much more! You lavish upon us all Your goodness and bounty and prosperity and health and relationships.
Father, You have given us to one another, to teach and admonish and encourage one another. You have given to Mankind to use what You have made to devise so many things that enable us to do so much more than at any other time in our recorded history. And You are still showering upon us all Your wonderful blessings, even when we are experiencing times of trouble and hardship and apart/togetherness.
O Father, I pray for our leaders, that You would protect them and lead them to do for us what is good; and that You be with Your children to show us all how we can each do what we can do to be of benefit to others.
Father, send us out into all the world to preach to every creature how much You love them, and have sent Your own Son to meet all their needs. Lead us to every person who is seeking You, whether or not they realize it is You they are looking for. I know I was looking for Truth, and You are Truth. Some are looking for Peace, or Purpose, or some other quality that You are. Let them find You, let us encounter each one of them, to share You with them, as You are what all of creation craves.
Fill Your great House with all of Your uncountable family members, Father; seat at Your grand Banquet Table all of Your beloved children, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, Son of the Father, Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
(9) For this reason also,
What we saw yesterday, that Jesus humbled Himself and became a man so that He could die a human death for each of us.
God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the Name which is above every name,
Because He humbled Himself, then the Father could exalt Him. And when we humble ourselves, He will also exalt us in Christ.
(10) so that at the Name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on Earth and under the Earth,
(11) and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God the Father gave God the Son Lordship over all creation. The Son is the Word of God by which He created everything that exists (John 1: 1-3).
The Father is over the Son, and the Son is over the Spirit. I see the Father as the brains, the Son as the brawn, and the Spirit as the life and light. This is very simplistic, but it's my general understanding of how order is in the Godhead.
Jesus commended the centurian for his understanding of the order of authority, saying that his faith was greater than all in Israel, in Matthew 8: 5-10. This soldier understood that Jesus had the authority to command the sickness, even at a distance.
The Son is the Lord God, the sovereign authority over all creation. Everything that exists will bow down to Him, acknowledging His supreme authority.
Everything, from stars and planets and solar systems, to the beings that think and make decisions, to the bacteria and viruses we can't see, down to the very molecules and atoms we're all made of; He's Boss and Ruler over it all.
And we as His body, are participating in His life in the Spirit, and we will help Him rule over creation as His kings and queens, sitting in His throne as He sits in the Father's throne. We have God's Life living in us in His Holy Spirit, and what He has planned for us is so far beyond what we can imagine, that the glimpse He revealed to John of what is ahead for us is described mostly by what won't be there any more! Read Revelation 21 and 22.
O my Father, You are God! There is no other! Nothing can compare to You, everything that exists is from You and is Your imagination! You are our Source for everything. You give us everything we will ever need, and in Your generosity, You give us so much more! You lavish upon us all Your goodness and bounty and prosperity and health and relationships.
Father, You have given us to one another, to teach and admonish and encourage one another. You have given to Mankind to use what You have made to devise so many things that enable us to do so much more than at any other time in our recorded history. And You are still showering upon us all Your wonderful blessings, even when we are experiencing times of trouble and hardship and apart/togetherness.
O Father, I pray for our leaders, that You would protect them and lead them to do for us what is good; and that You be with Your children to show us all how we can each do what we can do to be of benefit to others.
Father, send us out into all the world to preach to every creature how much You love them, and have sent Your own Son to meet all their needs. Lead us to every person who is seeking You, whether or not they realize it is You they are looking for. I know I was looking for Truth, and You are Truth. Some are looking for Peace, or Purpose, or some other quality that You are. Let them find You, let us encounter each one of them, to share You with them, as You are what all of creation craves.
Fill Your great House with all of Your uncountable family members, Father; seat at Your grand Banquet Table all of Your beloved children, to feast and fellowship with You and one another forever!
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, Son of the Father, Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come soon, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, March 19, 2020
So God Died -- And Was Resurrected
Philippians 2: 6-8
(6) Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew before He came that He would have to die. That's the only way anyone is able to get out of this world; but even more, He had to be the Lamb of God to be our atoning Sacrifice.
Before this Earth was created, the Triune Godhead decided what He would do when Mankind sinned.
"Then Elohim said, Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26).
Then the Second Person of the Godhead reached down, got a handful of dirt, and ...
"And the LORD God formed Man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).
Mankind was created to be God's children, but He gave us the choice whether to choose Him or rebel against Him, because He wants us to want to love Him back.
So the LORD God assumed full responsibility for Mankind, knowing that we would sin, and He would only be able to take us to live with Him where He is by coming to us as one of us, in order to cleanse us, so that we would be fit to live with Him where He is.
By becoming the Lamb of God, the personal Sacrifice that we each would need to wash away our sins with His Blood, He would cleanse us of every stain and spot, making us blameless to dwell with Him in Heaven.
This is the only way we can go to Heaven. Jesus knew this. In His humanity, He didn't want to have to go through with it, and prayed to the Father in the Garden that if there was any other way, to not make Him do it (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36). But He knew there was no other way, and submitted to the Father's will, that He had agreed to before the beginning.
Jesus had to be a real human to die a human death for each of us, and in facing death He conquered it: then, because He didn't deserve to die, He was Resurrected with a new kind of life, a spiritual body, no longer subject to death.
Now He can call us, who have accepted His sacrifice as our own, to that same Resurrection life, our bodies will be changed to be like His, either from the grave or without having to die, if we live to that Day of His Glorious Appearing. Then we also will no longer be subject to death, and we will live with our Lord, face-to-face, forever, in spiritual bodies like His.
That's why He came. And He is coming again. Soon.
O my Father, thank You so much for Your Son! Thank You for solving all the problems we make for ourselves, and showing us in Your written Word how to deal with whatever assails us.
Father, You knew that we would rebel against You, yet Your Love will not let us go. You sent Your Son to pay our debt and cleanse us, so that we could be born into Your own family and live with You forever! This is incredible! You are incredible!
O Father, send out Your children as Your missionaries to share with every living person how much You love them. Lead us to all of Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth, to rescue all of Your lost lambs from the brambles of sin and the pits of deception. Enable us to untangle them and pull them out, even from the flames of hell licking at their heels.
And no one will have any excuse. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
(6) Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
(7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
(8) Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Jesus knew before He came that He would have to die. That's the only way anyone is able to get out of this world; but even more, He had to be the Lamb of God to be our atoning Sacrifice.
Before this Earth was created, the Triune Godhead decided what He would do when Mankind sinned.
"Then Elohim said, Let us make Man in Our image, after Our likeness..." (Genesis 1:26).
Then the Second Person of the Godhead reached down, got a handful of dirt, and ...
"And the LORD God formed Man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." (Genesis 2:7).
Mankind was created to be God's children, but He gave us the choice whether to choose Him or rebel against Him, because He wants us to want to love Him back.
So the LORD God assumed full responsibility for Mankind, knowing that we would sin, and He would only be able to take us to live with Him where He is by coming to us as one of us, in order to cleanse us, so that we would be fit to live with Him where He is.
By becoming the Lamb of God, the personal Sacrifice that we each would need to wash away our sins with His Blood, He would cleanse us of every stain and spot, making us blameless to dwell with Him in Heaven.
This is the only way we can go to Heaven. Jesus knew this. In His humanity, He didn't want to have to go through with it, and prayed to the Father in the Garden that if there was any other way, to not make Him do it (Matthew 26:39; Mark 14:36). But He knew there was no other way, and submitted to the Father's will, that He had agreed to before the beginning.
Jesus had to be a real human to die a human death for each of us, and in facing death He conquered it: then, because He didn't deserve to die, He was Resurrected with a new kind of life, a spiritual body, no longer subject to death.
Now He can call us, who have accepted His sacrifice as our own, to that same Resurrection life, our bodies will be changed to be like His, either from the grave or without having to die, if we live to that Day of His Glorious Appearing. Then we also will no longer be subject to death, and we will live with our Lord, face-to-face, forever, in spiritual bodies like His.
That's why He came. And He is coming again. Soon.
Father, You knew that we would rebel against You, yet Your Love will not let us go. You sent Your Son to pay our debt and cleanse us, so that we could be born into Your own family and live with You forever! This is incredible! You are incredible!
O Father, send out Your children as Your missionaries to share with every living person how much You love them. Lead us to all of Your embryonic children to bring them to the birth, to rescue all of Your lost lambs from the brambles of sin and the pits of deception. Enable us to untangle them and pull them out, even from the flames of hell licking at their heels.
And no one will have any excuse. Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, our Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
To Be Like Jesus
Philippians 2: 1-5
(1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
(2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus think? What attitude would Jesus have on "this" matter I'm facing?
Can I think like Jesus? Can I fill my heart with what fills His heart? Can I live my life among the people in my little world as Jesus would live with these people?
Am I encouraged in my belonging to Christ? Do I have any comfort in His love? Am I aware of being friends, having fellowship, with His Spirit? Is my heart tender or sympathetic toward others, even when I don't agree with their views or lifestyles?
Father, You are my Provider of everything I need to be like Your Son, My Lord, Christ Jesus. Your great mercy in not giving me the wrath I deserve, having put it all on Jesus on the Cross; Your great grace, cleansing me and giving me all the abundance of Your riches in glory that Jesus deserves and earned for me.
You are now my Daddy (Abba), my good Father. You want only the best for me, so You will train me, discipline me, teach me, lead me and guide me. I put my hand in Yours, but even if I pull away, You will hold my hand firmly, as the good Parent Your are. You will never allow me to get away from You into the path of a speeding truck bearing down on me. You will never allow me to pull away over the edge of a cliff. Your light of Truth illumines each step I take, just as my car headlights light the road before me but not the entire journey.
I trust You, Father, to keep me on Your narrow path, avoiding all the boulders and potholes and away from the ditches on the right hand and on the left. I don't know what lies around that corner I see up ahead, but I know You do, You have planned out what You want to accomplish in my life, and I don't want to miss any of the details of the good You want for me.
Keep on keeping on with me, Father, molding me and shaping me, teaching me and disciplining me, making me into the very image of Your dear Son, Who is the image of the Father. You are God, God Almighty, and You are building Yourself a family. Thank You for including me in Your family, Dad.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(1) Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,
(2) make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
(3) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
(4) do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
(5) Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
WWJD, What Would Jesus Do? What would Jesus think? What attitude would Jesus have on "this" matter I'm facing?
Can I think like Jesus? Can I fill my heart with what fills His heart? Can I live my life among the people in my little world as Jesus would live with these people?
Am I encouraged in my belonging to Christ? Do I have any comfort in His love? Am I aware of being friends, having fellowship, with His Spirit? Is my heart tender or sympathetic toward others, even when I don't agree with their views or lifestyles?
Father, You are my Provider of everything I need to be like Your Son, My Lord, Christ Jesus. Your great mercy in not giving me the wrath I deserve, having put it all on Jesus on the Cross; Your great grace, cleansing me and giving me all the abundance of Your riches in glory that Jesus deserves and earned for me.
You are now my Daddy (Abba), my good Father. You want only the best for me, so You will train me, discipline me, teach me, lead me and guide me. I put my hand in Yours, but even if I pull away, You will hold my hand firmly, as the good Parent Your are. You will never allow me to get away from You into the path of a speeding truck bearing down on me. You will never allow me to pull away over the edge of a cliff. Your light of Truth illumines each step I take, just as my car headlights light the road before me but not the entire journey.
I trust You, Father, to keep me on Your narrow path, avoiding all the boulders and potholes and away from the ditches on the right hand and on the left. I don't know what lies around that corner I see up ahead, but I know You do, You have planned out what You want to accomplish in my life, and I don't want to miss any of the details of the good You want for me.
Keep on keeping on with me, Father, molding me and shaping me, teaching me and disciplining me, making me into the very image of Your dear Son, Who is the image of the Father. You are God, God Almighty, and You are building Yourself a family. Thank You for including me in Your family, Dad.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Opposition Is A Gift From God
Philippians 1: 27-30
(27) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,
Live your lives with an attitude of submission to others, as Christ submitted to the will of the Father. Live like the children of the King, as His family all hold the same values.
so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you
No matter if he comes or not, he will either see how they are doing, or hear about it. Either way, he will know.
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
He expects them to be loyal to one another as they are to Christ, supporting one another and defending one another in defense of the truth of the gospel.
(28) in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
Then anyone who opposes them, attacking with other ideas, will not be able to rile them up, having the peace of Christ and standing firm in the truth.
This strength seen in God's people will show that those who are willingly in error will be judged, when the Lord returns, if not before.
And God's people will be rewarded.
(29) For to you it has been granted
This opposition as well as other lessons and benefits have been given to us as gifts.
for Christ's sake,
Because of, as a result of, what Christ has accomplished as our Substitute.
not only to believe in him,
Our belief, our faith, our trusting in Jesus is a gift of God, not of ourselves.
but also to suffer for His sake,
When we are rejected by others, persecuted by others, it's not to make us victims, but to grant us victory over the works of our enemy.
So the faith we have in Jesus to take our place in death in payment of our debt is a gift from God, as He draws us into trusting Him.
And when we are persecuted and martyred, that is also a gift from God. We may see suffering as other people making us victims, but God grants us this as a means of growing us up to be mature adults in His family, and we will reap the benefits as He receives the glory.
(30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
They are not alone in their suffering, as Paul also is undergoing the same. And God's people have always been subjected to the same kind of opposition and persecution from the world and the devil, as history attests, and is still ongoing even today.
If someone has slandered you, or spoken against your witness for Christ, or has opposed you in any way; then pray for that person to come to know the Truth, for they have most likely been deceived, and are lashing out from their own misery. Hurt people will hurt other people. Show them kindness and compassion, as you refute their errors.
O my Father, You are still working out Your plans for Your creation. You are still saving those who turn to You, and protecting Your children. You are still using our choices to further Your plans, and granting us all the consequences of our decisions, whether for our benefit or their destruction.
O father, strengthen Your sons and daughters against the attacks from the enemy and his minions. Grow us up and mature us to respond to them in Your goodness and graciousness, to win them over by our gentleness, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Father, continue to send out Your children as messengers of Your gospel, to preach Your gospel of love to every living being, and to find all Your lost sheep. Enable us to rescue all of Your embryonic children from the brambles of entangling sin, and the pits of enticing deceit. Help us to pull them lovingly out of the destructive attitudes that are destroying them, and draw them into the safety and healing of Your one fold with one Shepherd.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(27) Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,
Live your lives with an attitude of submission to others, as Christ submitted to the will of the Father. Live like the children of the King, as His family all hold the same values.
so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you
No matter if he comes or not, he will either see how they are doing, or hear about it. Either way, he will know.
that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
He expects them to be loyal to one another as they are to Christ, supporting one another and defending one another in defense of the truth of the gospel.
(28) in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God.
Then anyone who opposes them, attacking with other ideas, will not be able to rile them up, having the peace of Christ and standing firm in the truth.
This strength seen in God's people will show that those who are willingly in error will be judged, when the Lord returns, if not before.
And God's people will be rewarded.
(29) For to you it has been granted
This opposition as well as other lessons and benefits have been given to us as gifts.
for Christ's sake,
Because of, as a result of, what Christ has accomplished as our Substitute.
not only to believe in him,
Our belief, our faith, our trusting in Jesus is a gift of God, not of ourselves.
but also to suffer for His sake,
When we are rejected by others, persecuted by others, it's not to make us victims, but to grant us victory over the works of our enemy.
So the faith we have in Jesus to take our place in death in payment of our debt is a gift from God, as He draws us into trusting Him.
And when we are persecuted and martyred, that is also a gift from God. We may see suffering as other people making us victims, but God grants us this as a means of growing us up to be mature adults in His family, and we will reap the benefits as He receives the glory.
(30) experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
They are not alone in their suffering, as Paul also is undergoing the same. And God's people have always been subjected to the same kind of opposition and persecution from the world and the devil, as history attests, and is still ongoing even today.
If someone has slandered you, or spoken against your witness for Christ, or has opposed you in any way; then pray for that person to come to know the Truth, for they have most likely been deceived, and are lashing out from their own misery. Hurt people will hurt other people. Show them kindness and compassion, as you refute their errors.
O my Father, You are still working out Your plans for Your creation. You are still saving those who turn to You, and protecting Your children. You are still using our choices to further Your plans, and granting us all the consequences of our decisions, whether for our benefit or their destruction.
O father, strengthen Your sons and daughters against the attacks from the enemy and his minions. Grow us up and mature us to respond to them in Your goodness and graciousness, to win them over by our gentleness, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.
Father, continue to send out Your children as messengers of Your gospel, to preach Your gospel of love to every living being, and to find all Your lost sheep. Enable us to rescue all of Your embryonic children from the brambles of entangling sin, and the pits of enticing deceit. Help us to pull them lovingly out of the destructive attitudes that are destroying them, and draw them into the safety and healing of Your one fold with one Shepherd.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, March 16, 2020
Hard-Pressed From Both Directions
Philippians 1: 21-26
We will continue to look at Paul's dilemma.
(21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
We saw yesterday that the trial Paul was involved in at this writing was ongoing and he didn't know yet how it would conclude.
(22) But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
He is looking at the benefits of both of these possibilities. To win his case would mean that he would be able to continue to work in the promotion of Christ's Kingdom.
(23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
(24) yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Paul is "torn between the two," seeing benefits on both sides. He would love to "be with Christ, which is better by far," but he also realizes the benefits to the Philippian believers of continuing ministry on his part.
(25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul knows that the Lord is with him, but when he says, I know that I will remain, he's not speaking infallibly as though he has had a revelation; he is expressing his confidence in the Lord to allow him to continue.
History shows us that he did survive this trial, he was released and traveled again, before the arrest and imprisonment that concluded in his martyrdom.
(26) so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Their confidence is based on the joy in the faith that will result in their further spiritual growth under Paul's continuing ministry to them.
O my Father, You have given us so much more than we will ever need. Your generosity should encourage us to share everything You give to us, because we are not to be "pools" but "channels" through which God's love and grace flow.
You have had Paul write that he would rather be with You, but was confident that he would remain to serve Your church. I see this as so generous of him, that You had taught him to be such a wide channel for Your river of knowledge and grace to flow. And it is still flowing, all the way even to me!
Father, teach me Your generosity, that I would not be selfish with the gifts You have given me; that I would not be focused only on myself and my stuff, but that my eyes would be open to see the needs of others that I could help with. Show me how You want me to be Your hands and feet, distributing Your bounty to all those You place in my path.
Send all Your children out, Father, send me out; so that all of Your lost children will be found, and all creation will hear of Your love and grace.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
We will continue to look at Paul's dilemma.
(21) For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
We saw yesterday that the trial Paul was involved in at this writing was ongoing and he didn't know yet how it would conclude.
(22) But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.
He is looking at the benefits of both of these possibilities. To win his case would mean that he would be able to continue to work in the promotion of Christ's Kingdom.
(23) But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;
(24) yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Paul is "torn between the two," seeing benefits on both sides. He would love to "be with Christ, which is better by far," but he also realizes the benefits to the Philippian believers of continuing ministry on his part.
(25) Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,
Paul knows that the Lord is with him, but when he says, I know that I will remain, he's not speaking infallibly as though he has had a revelation; he is expressing his confidence in the Lord to allow him to continue.
History shows us that he did survive this trial, he was released and traveled again, before the arrest and imprisonment that concluded in his martyrdom.
(26) so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again.
Their confidence is based on the joy in the faith that will result in their further spiritual growth under Paul's continuing ministry to them.
O my Father, You have given us so much more than we will ever need. Your generosity should encourage us to share everything You give to us, because we are not to be "pools" but "channels" through which God's love and grace flow.
You have had Paul write that he would rather be with You, but was confident that he would remain to serve Your church. I see this as so generous of him, that You had taught him to be such a wide channel for Your river of knowledge and grace to flow. And it is still flowing, all the way even to me!
Father, teach me Your generosity, that I would not be selfish with the gifts You have given me; that I would not be focused only on myself and my stuff, but that my eyes would be open to see the needs of others that I could help with. Show me how You want me to be Your hands and feet, distributing Your bounty to all those You place in my path.
Send all Your children out, Father, send me out; so that all of Your lost children will be found, and all creation will hear of Your love and grace.
And every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will proclaim that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come swiftly, Lord Jesus!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)