Philippians 4:10-23 is our text for today, as we finish looking at Paul's letter to the church at Philppi. Still praying about where to go tomorrow.
I don't think I could have planned out a better sequence of Study for "such a time as this (Bailouts, Stock Market fluctuation, Foreclosures, Mergers, etc.)," as we look at what Paul is sharing through today's passage. His words in verse 11, I'm sure, are a lesson we all can use more work on today: "Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." He goes on to share that he's lived in prosperity, in humble means, he's been "full," and he's gone hungry. The secret to living through whatever circumstance we are facing today is the truth that comes in verse 13 (a truth that is often taken out of context), as he says he "can do all things [those times he just shared in the previous verses] through Him who strengthens me." That is awesome! Now, I'm not trying to give the impression that my focus is always the same as Paul's is here, but I can truly say that God has broken me in many areas of my life in this sense. Do I still want certain materialistic things? YES (any plasma screen tv donations will be accepted)! But, He has shown me over and over that if I am really trying to live a life that is Christ focused, there are certainly many things that I can (and for me, SHOULD) do without...things that will only remove my focus from Him.
I have been blessed tremendously by God. Our family has lived with more stuff at some times than at others. Annette and I often reminisce about our time when we lived in Lynchburg as I attended Seminary (GO FLAMES!! 5-0, #16 this week!). We had less, materially, than we've ever had before, but the 1-1/2 years we were there were just incredible times for our family. Now, I'm not saying that the less you have the happier you will be, but no matter how much you have, if your focus is not on Christ and His plan for your life, you will NOT be satisfied!
Paul closes his letter by thanking the church at Philippi for all the support they have given him over the years. Paul shares that there were times when he was glad to receive a gift from them, but for their good, as the gift given to him in the name of Christ would be "profit which increased their account." He indeed was glad for the support given, and as they gave sacrificially, he knew that "God would supply all their needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
Our challenge today: Am I living contently with what I have? Are there things in my life that are causing me to lose my focus of Christ that need to go? Am I giving as Christ is leading me to give (time, talents, treasures)?
Let me know if you have any feedback.
Serving Him,
PJ
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Are You Anxious?
Chapter 4 of Philippians, as we will see over the next few days, has some rich words of encouragement for those who are Christ followers. Today we look at Verses 1-9.
The staff here at MDBC have been reading through an incredible book entitled "With Christ in the School of Prayer" by Andrew Murray. The book was written in 1895, but let me tell you, Murray is still being used by God today, as it has really touched the hearts of all of the staff and challenged us in our prayer lives. Murray would concur with Paul's words in today's passage, as they are simple and to the point, though, like so much of Scripture, difficult to consistently put into practice.
Verse 4 alone is one of those difficult statements to live by: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!" In a time when folks are seeing financial troubles, families are stressed, and relationships seem especially strained by the world's problems, it is very easy to lose sight of "rejoicing in the Lord." Paul continues by sharing how we need not be anxious about anything, but instead we should be praying about such things. I know, it sounds very "churchy," but this is what we, as Christ followers, are precisely to do! Even more than that, as we are walking with Christ, spending time with Him, getting to know His Word better and better, there will be no other thing that we will choose to rely on than taking our requests and concerns to God through prayer...but are we doing this?
What will be the result of taking these things to Him in prayer? Just that "...the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That's all, just the peace of God in the midst of all the craziness of life!
Paul then shares that another thing to do as we turn life over to Christ through prayer, and as we strive to get beyond the anxiousness of our lives, is that we need to change our focus. We are all being pulled in so many different directions in life that most of the time we simply have no clue what to really focus on. Paul gives us some direction here, saying that "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Let's face it...ALL of us waste a lot of valuable time "dwelling" on things that are not profitable to our lives, especially in the life of one who seeks to live for Christ. It's time we get some of this junk out of our lives, that we change the focus of much of what we do, seeking FIRST His Kingdom. Much of what we fill our minds with, much of what we don't want to give up because it's comfortable to us...much of this needs to go if we are to live a truly Christ centered life.
What are we to dwell on then? In verse 9, Paul says that we can learn from him, "the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." WOW! Our challenge for today is this: Can I truly say that I am dwelling on the things that Christ would have me dwell? Are there areas of my life that are not God honoring? Are there things in my life, whether self-imposed or not, that I am anxious in? How is my prayer life today?
I don't know about you, but the Lord has shown me MUCH to consider in my life today!
Until tomorrow...
PJ
The staff here at MDBC have been reading through an incredible book entitled "With Christ in the School of Prayer" by Andrew Murray. The book was written in 1895, but let me tell you, Murray is still being used by God today, as it has really touched the hearts of all of the staff and challenged us in our prayer lives. Murray would concur with Paul's words in today's passage, as they are simple and to the point, though, like so much of Scripture, difficult to consistently put into practice.
Verse 4 alone is one of those difficult statements to live by: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!" In a time when folks are seeing financial troubles, families are stressed, and relationships seem especially strained by the world's problems, it is very easy to lose sight of "rejoicing in the Lord." Paul continues by sharing how we need not be anxious about anything, but instead we should be praying about such things. I know, it sounds very "churchy," but this is what we, as Christ followers, are precisely to do! Even more than that, as we are walking with Christ, spending time with Him, getting to know His Word better and better, there will be no other thing that we will choose to rely on than taking our requests and concerns to God through prayer...but are we doing this?
What will be the result of taking these things to Him in prayer? Just that "...the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." That's all, just the peace of God in the midst of all the craziness of life!
Paul then shares that another thing to do as we turn life over to Christ through prayer, and as we strive to get beyond the anxiousness of our lives, is that we need to change our focus. We are all being pulled in so many different directions in life that most of the time we simply have no clue what to really focus on. Paul gives us some direction here, saying that "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Let's face it...ALL of us waste a lot of valuable time "dwelling" on things that are not profitable to our lives, especially in the life of one who seeks to live for Christ. It's time we get some of this junk out of our lives, that we change the focus of much of what we do, seeking FIRST His Kingdom. Much of what we fill our minds with, much of what we don't want to give up because it's comfortable to us...much of this needs to go if we are to live a truly Christ centered life.
What are we to dwell on then? In verse 9, Paul says that we can learn from him, "the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." WOW! Our challenge for today is this: Can I truly say that I am dwelling on the things that Christ would have me dwell? Are there areas of my life that are not God honoring? Are there things in my life, whether self-imposed or not, that I am anxious in? How is my prayer life today?
I don't know about you, but the Lord has shown me MUCH to consider in my life today!
Until tomorrow...
PJ
Monday, October 6, 2008
Encouraging Others Is Not Always Encouraging..
Today I'm finishing up Philippians Chapter 3, looking specifically at verses 15-21. Paul states that we who are "perfect/mature/or grown in Christ should have "this attitude." What attitude? That which he mentioned in verses 12-14. It's living life in such a way that we are consistently striving for the "prize," that fullness in Christ or the life lived so that God will say to us when we meet Him, "well done, good and faithful servant."
If we say that we are in Christ, that we are Christ followers, and we have a "different attitude (than what He would want us to have)," Paul says that God will reveal that to us, also. This requires that we are consistently spending time with Him so that we can best sense His leading...even though, just like Paul, we have not obtained (or even really gotten close to) perfection, we are to live up to what we know. Do you get that? We are all at different places Spiritually. Some are new believers, having just started following Christ, and some of us are further along on our journeys. Paul instructs us here, saying that we are to live up to what we know.
We have a guest speaker here at Mason Dixon Baptist Church, Scott Smith (SNS Ministries), who is an incredible, effective man of God. Last night he challenged the church with what it means to be fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. He shared about how it all comes down to following Christ in every facet of our lives, that we are to hear what Jesus says and then we are to do it. This is what Paul is sharing with us, also. We are grow in Christ, spend time with Him, learn what the Word says, and then we are to DO IT! It's hard (almost always!), it takes sacrifice, it will usually go against what we "want" to do, but we are to DO IT.
Paul tells the Philippians that they should follow his example, and we too should find others who are walking the walk and "observe" or follow the example of their lives. Paul shares, though, that there are many who claim to walk, though they are really enemies of the Cross...WOW! Yes, there are many who "say" they are Christians, who show up at church week after week, who serve in positions in churches, whose names are on church membership rolls...but it's one thing to say it, but quite another to LIVE IT!
Our challenge today is this: are we more concerned with the now of life (stocks, houses, those things that feel good in the now) than with pleasing God? Are we drawing near to Him NO MATTER THE COST? Paul shares in verse 20 that if we are indeed Christ followers, "our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Have a blessed week!
PJ
If we say that we are in Christ, that we are Christ followers, and we have a "different attitude (than what He would want us to have)," Paul says that God will reveal that to us, also. This requires that we are consistently spending time with Him so that we can best sense His leading...even though, just like Paul, we have not obtained (or even really gotten close to) perfection, we are to live up to what we know. Do you get that? We are all at different places Spiritually. Some are new believers, having just started following Christ, and some of us are further along on our journeys. Paul instructs us here, saying that we are to live up to what we know.
We have a guest speaker here at Mason Dixon Baptist Church, Scott Smith (SNS Ministries), who is an incredible, effective man of God. Last night he challenged the church with what it means to be fully surrendered to the Lordship of Christ. He shared about how it all comes down to following Christ in every facet of our lives, that we are to hear what Jesus says and then we are to do it. This is what Paul is sharing with us, also. We are grow in Christ, spend time with Him, learn what the Word says, and then we are to DO IT! It's hard (almost always!), it takes sacrifice, it will usually go against what we "want" to do, but we are to DO IT.
Paul tells the Philippians that they should follow his example, and we too should find others who are walking the walk and "observe" or follow the example of their lives. Paul shares, though, that there are many who claim to walk, though they are really enemies of the Cross...WOW! Yes, there are many who "say" they are Christians, who show up at church week after week, who serve in positions in churches, whose names are on church membership rolls...but it's one thing to say it, but quite another to LIVE IT!
Our challenge today is this: are we more concerned with the now of life (stocks, houses, those things that feel good in the now) than with pleasing God? Are we drawing near to Him NO MATTER THE COST? Paul shares in verse 20 that if we are indeed Christ followers, "our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ..."
Have a blessed week!
PJ
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Counting It All As Loss...
Today we're hitting Philippians Chapter 3, and I just can't find a good way to split the first 14 verses up, so, since this is my blog, I will share some thoughts from Phil. 3:1-14, using the NASB.
As a Youth Pastor, it's always great (especially with Junior High boys) when verses talking about circumcision come up, and I love to draw them pictures...just kidding! Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to get them to take their focus off of it to look at the big picture. The big picture here is that Paul is warning the believers at Philippi to beware of those "legalists," those who like to attach conditions onto our Salvation for it to be "real." Legalism through the years has been seen in forms such as ladies having to wear dresses to church, insisting on a particular version of the Bible for legitimate conversion/growth in Christ, having to be a member of a particular church (church membership and attendance is very important in the growth of a believer and it is desired of you by Christ, though not necessary for salvation). I have very little tolerance for legalism, and instead would desire to put my energy into sharing with individuals how the Bible teaches us to live while having freedom in Christ.
Paul goes on to share that if these legalists think that they are qualified to require certain elements for believer, he is even more qualified if he so chose (verses 4-6). But Paul didn't have the time nor patience to mess around "proving" his qualifications, stating instead in verse 7 that "...whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." He also shares that he counts "all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...," in verse 8.
This week has certainly caused us all to consider our "stuff" as we've heard more about "bailouts" than I'm sure any of us care to hear. Paul's lesson here can really help us gain a proper perspective of what we have or don't have, and to also consider how much we worry about decisions we've made in the past and how they are affecting our lives now. Paul's words in verses 13-14 are some of the most powerful in Scripture, I believe, as he shares: "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." WOW! Do I have regrets about past decisions? YES! But, I don't let the past control my future...I am striving toward that prize of the call of God in Christ Jesus.
Today, there may be consequences you're living with that are directly caused by past decisions. Don't let Satan convince you that those decisions are "who you are." If (yes, IF) you have given your life to Christ, His blood has covered the stupidest (actual Youth Pastor word) of decisions, and He will take any consequences from your past and work them out for His good purposes. If anyone would ever like to discuss what salvation or "giving your life to Christ" means, please contact me, as I would love to share with you what the Bible says about these most important things mean.
PJ
As a Youth Pastor, it's always great (especially with Junior High boys) when verses talking about circumcision come up, and I love to draw them pictures...just kidding! Sometimes it's a bit of a challenge to get them to take their focus off of it to look at the big picture. The big picture here is that Paul is warning the believers at Philippi to beware of those "legalists," those who like to attach conditions onto our Salvation for it to be "real." Legalism through the years has been seen in forms such as ladies having to wear dresses to church, insisting on a particular version of the Bible for legitimate conversion/growth in Christ, having to be a member of a particular church (church membership and attendance is very important in the growth of a believer and it is desired of you by Christ, though not necessary for salvation). I have very little tolerance for legalism, and instead would desire to put my energy into sharing with individuals how the Bible teaches us to live while having freedom in Christ.
Paul goes on to share that if these legalists think that they are qualified to require certain elements for believer, he is even more qualified if he so chose (verses 4-6). But Paul didn't have the time nor patience to mess around "proving" his qualifications, stating instead in verse 7 that "...whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ." He also shares that he counts "all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...," in verse 8.
This week has certainly caused us all to consider our "stuff" as we've heard more about "bailouts" than I'm sure any of us care to hear. Paul's lesson here can really help us gain a proper perspective of what we have or don't have, and to also consider how much we worry about decisions we've made in the past and how they are affecting our lives now. Paul's words in verses 13-14 are some of the most powerful in Scripture, I believe, as he shares: "...one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." WOW! Do I have regrets about past decisions? YES! But, I don't let the past control my future...I am striving toward that prize of the call of God in Christ Jesus.
Today, there may be consequences you're living with that are directly caused by past decisions. Don't let Satan convince you that those decisions are "who you are." If (yes, IF) you have given your life to Christ, His blood has covered the stupidest (actual Youth Pastor word) of decisions, and He will take any consequences from your past and work them out for His good purposes. If anyone would ever like to discuss what salvation or "giving your life to Christ" means, please contact me, as I would love to share with you what the Bible says about these most important things mean.
PJ
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Do You Care?
Today's passage is Philippians 2:25-30, the end of chapter 2. As I study Paul's words about his fellow worker Epaphroditus (there's a name for your next child!), I am challenged to consider my feelings for the "church."
These verses (and as we've seen over the past several days, and throughout this chapter) share some neat things about how much Paul cared for the church. Now when I speak of the church, I (like Paul) am not just speaking of a specific building, or even one specific local body of believers. Yes, Paul's letter here is to the church at Philippi, but his writings collectively are always sharing truth, correction, encouragement and a true love for the Church overall...that is, for all the followers of Jesus Christ.
Paul and Epaphroditus both have such a love for the believers at Philippi, and Paul says that Epaphroditus had become very sick, and that they had heard about how this news distressed the church. Because the church was distressed, this distressed Paul and Epaphroditus...when is the last time I (or you) were so "distressed" about the condition of a fellow believer that it almost caused you to feel sick? In this super-busy world that we live in, it seems very difficult to find time to care about the physical needs of those close to us, much less the spiritual needs of so many around us. Those we call "loved ones," family, or friends...how much do we really care about where they are spiritually? How are we living our lives out in front of others? Do we live one way in front of the "spiritual crowd," and then a much different life in front of our "not so spiritual friends?"
May we be challenged today to consider what our lives are saying to others...but first, may we be challenged to consider what our lives are saying to God about the place He has (or doesn't have) in our lives. On a scaled of 1-10 (1 being the lowest), where is your life in Christ today? Is your relationship with Christ important to you? If so, would those you interact with today, or those who you will spend the weekend with be surprised to find out how you feel about your relationship with Him?
Have a blessed day...
PJ
These verses (and as we've seen over the past several days, and throughout this chapter) share some neat things about how much Paul cared for the church. Now when I speak of the church, I (like Paul) am not just speaking of a specific building, or even one specific local body of believers. Yes, Paul's letter here is to the church at Philippi, but his writings collectively are always sharing truth, correction, encouragement and a true love for the Church overall...that is, for all the followers of Jesus Christ.
Paul and Epaphroditus both have such a love for the believers at Philippi, and Paul says that Epaphroditus had become very sick, and that they had heard about how this news distressed the church. Because the church was distressed, this distressed Paul and Epaphroditus...when is the last time I (or you) were so "distressed" about the condition of a fellow believer that it almost caused you to feel sick? In this super-busy world that we live in, it seems very difficult to find time to care about the physical needs of those close to us, much less the spiritual needs of so many around us. Those we call "loved ones," family, or friends...how much do we really care about where they are spiritually? How are we living our lives out in front of others? Do we live one way in front of the "spiritual crowd," and then a much different life in front of our "not so spiritual friends?"
May we be challenged today to consider what our lives are saying to others...but first, may we be challenged to consider what our lives are saying to God about the place He has (or doesn't have) in our lives. On a scaled of 1-10 (1 being the lowest), where is your life in Christ today? Is your relationship with Christ important to you? If so, would those you interact with today, or those who you will spend the weekend with be surprised to find out how you feel about your relationship with Him?
Have a blessed day...
PJ
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