Living for Honor

Philippians 2:14-18

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.  Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.  But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.  Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

This paragraph is not much good without the truth of the paragraph before it. Paul is here sharing the important life for which to strive with God working in our hearts as explained in Philippians 2:12 & 13. Of course, he is speaking to the Philippian church that he has nurtured. Still, we can think of those who have helped us along the pathway in the Christian life. We can cheer their lives now if we are in contact with them, and we can bring them joy in eternity when we meet in Heaven at last by continuing throughout our lives to choose God’s way and life.

The “Word of Life” is something we can hold onto by faith, and with our faith we can pray to God Whom we cannot see and communicate with Him. Prayer and study opens our thinking to God and we grow. Reading His Word as we pray, the Holy Spirit teaches us.

I am very glad that God can work inside me so that I do not complain and argue with others. So true it is that we are criticized for complaining and arguing. Those who are critical are always ready to pounce when we let words slip. I cannot guard my unruly tongue, and I need the miracle of God so that I do not slip. When I cling to Him and know my need, He is there to give me what I need to speak the right words and have the right attitude that gives me dignity as His child. I am so thankful.

Eve

She was able to teach God’s ways to numerous generations in her more than 900 years of life. She had to watch as the generations made their choices in life to follow or not to follow God’s ways. Those who chose the better and higher paths of life and did follow God must have brought her joy. She must have loved them all, but seeing those who stayed on God’s side must have been such a blessing to her.

Mary

Mary lived that good life in her day. She was chosen by God because she was a believer even when she was very young.  She has been a blessing to countless generations over the past 2,000 years because of her choice to let God do with her what was His will. Her life inspires us as women of any age to believe and trust and to lay our lives out in surrender to God.

My Prayer

Dear Lord,

Please do Your work in the very heart of me and of who I am so that I will have a good attitude. Please help me to speak only what would please You and be a blessing to others, especially those who have invested much in my life. Thank You for the ones you have placed in my life as mentors and teachers. Please help me to learn my lessons well and honor You and them by my life and choices. Thank You that I can do all things through Christ Jesus who enables me! Amen!

Helping You to Do What He Wants

Philippians 2:12, 13

Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Paul pleaded with the church people in Philippi to keep on doing those good things that he had taught them to do. He knew it was important for them to seek God first and above all else.  He knew from his own experience just how earnestly we must strive for the right. Still, he adds the wonderful truth and promise that God works inside us to give us the desire and the ability, the strength and power to do what He wants us to do.

How freeing and liberating it is to me to know that I can depend on God to give me everything I need so that I can keep stepping out and forward in obedience. Sometimes, I do not even desire what is right, but I can pray that God will step in and create that desire for doing what is right in my heart. The core of who I am and what I want to do can improve, and I really can become what I was always meant to be.

I do not have any limitations on abilities to keep growing in God and His plan for my life. As I keep on going in faith that God will lift me up, I am enabled by Him to do those things that make His heart glad. Meanwhile, I can know that what He wants is all for my good because that is what gives Him joy, my progress and the love I return to Him. No life is better than living it daily in submission to the miraculous saving power of God to transform me, to change what I do and to ennoble my motives for living and doing.

Eve

Eve had an entire lifetime of more than 900 years in which to choose God’s power working in her to overcome where she had failed in the Garden of Eden. We do not know how she lived her life other than the fact that she was a mother, having many children and caring for them every day. Maybe as she saw the grace she wanted to give to her children, she understood more of the love and grace of God for herself. Certainly, she had many years in which to grow wise and mentor those generations that came after her.

Mary

Mary, we are told, thought about things that happened and took things as they came to her. (See Luke 2:19.) She was with the believers after Jesus died, and so she learned just what the plan of salvation was really all about. I think there were scriptures in Mary’s home because Jesus knew so much of them when He was only 12 years old. Still, she did not fully understand Jesus’ mission on earth until after the resurrection.
The same is true today; I grow through the years of studying the Bible. I do not have all the answers at the beginning of my life, and I will keep learning throughout all eternity. Still, I am glad I have access to the Bible and can learn and grow. God really is at work in me.

I can look at others I know that are older and younger than I and know that we all grow at our own pace as God is working in us. My friend Esther may be older than me and studying her Bible every day, but she may always talk to me about how she is worried and afraid for herself and her children. She may have been a believer much longer than I, and  she still has daily doubts with which to struggle.

Then, Meg has only been a believer a short time. I know that she is studying her Bible, but she tells me that she loves to watch these shows on TV that I know promote immorality. I can pray for my friends, and I can ask them to pray for me. I hope that they do pray for me as they see in me those areas where I am far from perfect. We can encourage each other to keep striving for the right without a condemning spirit because we know how God is working in our own lives.

My Prayer

Dear Loving and Patient Father God—

Thank Your mercy on me as I grow. Thank you for the stories in the Bible about how You helped people grow in you throughout their lives. I can have hope from their stories and the promises in Philippians 2:12, 13 that I can show evidence of what You are doing in my life. You are helping me to want to do Your will and giving me the power to do Your will for my life. Then, I can pray for others when they share their lives and struggles with me. Please teach me how I can share the hope, love and mercy that I receive from You!! Thank You that this life is possible because of Jesus! Amen.

Philippians 2:8-11 - Jesus Gets His Due, Love Wins

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

I love the first 11 verses of Philippians 2, and I love the end of the story as expressed in verses 9-11. Still, it is hard for me to put into words the grandeur and the amazing thrill of that day when everyone will bow before Jesus and confess that He is Lord over all. The words that Paul has penned speak for themselves. When I am present on that day, I know the moment will be all about Him. We will all see that Jesus is Lord and His Love is the truest and the most faithful. . I look forward to that day when everything will be crystal clear in everyone’s minds.

However, I want to believe in Him and worship Him before I am compelled. I want to be counted as one of His followers beforehand so that I am standing as one of His children who love Him. While sin is rampant in our world, while my life is far from perfect, I want to stand for Jesus.

I may lose my reputation, but often it could easily be my own fault either through mistakes I make or poor communication on my part. I may not be understood. My love may be rejected, but Jesus has had to suffer so much more on such a larger scale and never because He deserved it. He was willing to take the journey even when He knew what it would be like way before He took it, all because of love.

We do not fully understand. Through years of eternity we will study and learn more and still more about God and His love. Still, I am glad there is a point where we understand enough so that everyone will bow and acknowledge that Jesus is Lord.

 He gives His following, believing children everything. We do not lack. He strengthens us to stand. He protects us when we call out to Him. Even if we must suffer in this world and be in it, He is there every step of the way. He has already won and only a short lifetime on this planet is still necessary to show just how Satan’s plan of government works out to its end. In the end, Jesus will stand tall and all will see that His plan of life and love are best, that Love truly wins every time.

Eve

She had the promise of God that one day, the evil one will be conquered completely. Sin will have an end. This hope must have made her glad in her life.  She wanted her own boy to be the promised savior of the world, but she knew that Jesus would come somewhere down the line of her descendants.

Mary

She thought for a very long time as did most of the Jews that the Messiah would come and set up His kingdom on Earth in His lifetime in our world. She thought He was born to be crowned King, but He was crowned with thorns and killed in the most degrading and cruel manner.  When Jesus rose from the dead, her understanding of the scriptures broadened to see God’s true plan of salvation. She looked forward because she knew the day was coming when every knee will bow. All those who never understood Him would understand.

My prayer

Dear Father in Heaven –

Thank You for Jesus and the hope that You give. One day we will all bow before Jesus. He deserves all our adoration now, however. I pray that You will help my heart to reach out to You in true worship now, before that final day. Please help me by Your grace to walk with You, believe in You and draw others to You during my life in this world. Thank You that all this is possible because of Jesus! Amen.

The Attitude of Jesus & What He Did: Philippians 2:5-8

Philippians 2:5-8

 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
 he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

I love to read this part about the beauty of Jesus’ humility, but that first thought that I must have the attitude of Christ Jesus seems like a tricky sentence unless I remember that what God tells me to do comes with His promise to provide for me all I need to accomplish it. Think about this promise! He will work this miracle in me and you that we can have the attitude of Jesus! To be like Jesus is an awe-inspiring thought and miracle.

I am so glad He is the One in charge because He is so loving and good. He knew He must always choose the hard and painful path in order to complete His plan and make a universe where everyone truly understood that He is fully trustworthy and loving. He continues to carry all the pain felt in this world until that time when He will say, “It is completed.”

Now even though I will not ever fully comprehend what Jesus has done and is doing and the sacrifices and suffering He endures, I pause and think on these verses. I am always amazed. I find volumes in the one above paragraph from Philippians chapter 2. I take it phrase by phrase and try to understand or at least catch a glimpse.

Eve

Would Eve despair if she saw the sufferings of Jesus? Or would she have had joy in the hope that He brought to this world through all of the things He endures for us? I see the mercy of God that she did not live to see just how bad things got in our world by the time Jesus was here. As it was, she lived through over 900 years of this world and saw much misery.

She had hoped and hoped to see Jesus come from her womb, but He did not. He waited until He knew the time was right, and none of us can really comprehend when the time is right for important world events like He can. He came and then returned to the Father with the promise to come again. We wait, work and live until that time.

Mary

What must life have been like for her before the resurrection when the scriptures about the Messiah made sense with the life of Jesus? She lived all of those years remembering that the prophet Simeon had told her in the temple that a sword would pierce her soul. She watched the life of Jesus and wondered that He really was God’s Son, but He lived a life of shame and humiliation in poverty. So many things she didn't understand, but many of them became clear after Jesus rose from the dead and she listened to the disciples discussing the prophecies together.

How wonderful it must have been to be with those disciples and the other women who believed in Jesus after He died and rose again. I am so glad that Mary had the chance to know the truth about her Son after those years of wondering and confusion. She understood the Lamb giving His life for sinners and the plan of salvation. She had trusted and obeyed through the years even though she did not understand, but joy must have thrilled her when she did comprehend the answers to those questions she had about Jesus’ life in this world.

My Prayer

Dear Lord,

I come to You in awe of You and Your love and humility. Please help me to let Your attitude inside so that I can be like You. This wonderful miracle is Your promise. Please help me to remember and think about all that You have done and are doing. The more I look to You the more like You I can become. Thank You for taking all the risks and suffering to make Your life and love available to me! Thank You that this love and life is available to all people who will accept the gift! Thank You, Jesus! Amen.

I Can because of Jesus! Philippians 2:3, 4

Philippians 2:3, 4

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

This advice from Paul sounds so simple and basic, yet we can so easily find ourselves actually being selfish and thinking of ourselves as better than someone else. We can try to impress because we think we must, and we can keep very busy with our own interests and so easily miss others’ interest. We cannot keep this advice on our own.

We must actually combine these thoughts from verses 3 and 4 with verses 1 and 2 because it is that closeness with Jesus and His Spirit that brings about a change in our hearts. We are not selfish when we choose His presence, and He works His miracle of love in our hearts so that we can be in unity with others instead of being selfish.

Eve

Just as Eve was enticed in the garden with the flattery of Satan through the serpent, I am easily swayed by flattering suggestions when I do not keep choosing to stay close to Jesus. She lost her focus on God and Adam and focused on what she wanted. What day is it that we are not similarly tempted? God help us! He does, and that is our hope.

Mary

I do not know what Mary’s personality was, but her actions give a clue. She seemed the ultimate mother that was always looking out for the interest of her Child. I always picture her as being the perfect image of humble unselfish giving because of her willingness to fit in to the roll of mother to Jesus. Still, she was human. She was not perfect any more than any other woman. She had to pray for God’s help to be the best mother she could be and to overcome her personal faults.

My Prayer

Dear Lord Who is in control,

Please help me. Please help me give in to Your Spirit working in my heart and mind to keep my focus on You and what You want for me every day. This involves surrendering and letting You control me instead of the Devil and my selfishness. Help me to be caring and concerned for those around me and their daily experiences and interests. Thank You that there is hope for me. I can become like Jesus, and it is because of His wonderful work and life that I can pray! Amen!

Philippians 2:1, 2 - Encouragement, Unity and Real Power

Philippians 2:1, 2

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

 When we become believers and join His family, Christ sends us his Holy Spirit to work His miracles in our hearts and lives. The obvious thing for us to do is to submit, relax and allow these gifts to come in and do their work. Then, those who have labored for our lives will rejoice like the Apostle Paul  to see the good results in us and the unity in the church as each heart responds to the Holy Spirit and moves together in one purpose. This unity is because we are all receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding. Much can happen when we each have such an experience.

Eve

Did Eve have this experience after she left the garden with Adam? Over time, did God work in her heart and bring unity between her and Adam and their children who believed? Did she let her heart be comforted in the love God had for her? That is where the Holy Spirit must start. He heals us with that great love God has for us so that we can enter in that fellowship. Our hearts become tender and compassionate for others. As the healing is accomplished we reach out and begin to work with other believers as a team in unity. We do not know if Adam and Eve experienced this love, joy and unity together or not.

Mary

Mary’s heart was tender and compassionate because of the work of God’s love in her heart. I am so glad that she lived long enough to see the results of her Son’s work on earth. How hard it must have been for her to see his ultimate suffering. We have only a small idea of the sword that pierced her soul, but her wounds were healed and she was a part of the believers after Jesus went to heaven. From what we understand, she continued on the winning team until she died.

My Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for sending me Your Holy Spirit and working Your love in my heart. Thank You that I can enter into that true bonding with other believers when I respond and receive You and Your gifts personally. I want to have that experience of unity and that circle of love that only comes from You. Entering into this experience as the Holy Spirit heals me and works inside my heart is the only way I can really make a difference in life and have a part in Your Kingdom. All of this is possible because of Jesus! Thank You most of all for Him! Amen.

Phil. 1:27-30 Circle of Love because of the Good News Faith

Philippians 1:27-30

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.  Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.  For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.  We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

“Above all . . . .” This sentence in Philippians 1:27 reminds me of what Jesus said, “Seek first God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. . . .” (See Matthew 6:33.) When God and His cause have pre-eminence in our lives, we put all our efforts into seeking Him. We have one top priority, and our lives are simplified.

Additionally as Jesus and Paul state, the rewards for living this lifestyle are immediate. We are part of God’s family on earth, and we are unified with others who also have the seeking for God and living for Him as their top priority. We work together, and God is on our side so faith is rewarded by His presence. Thus, the Good News of the Kingdom is demonstrated and told to others.

Of course, persecution does come. God’s enemy, Satan, is still alive and will fight. We keep standing in unity no matter what trouble comes. We do not have to be afraid and intimidated. With our attitude of courage and faith, the enemy knows he is defeated and God will rescue us.

Meanwhile, we have joy in trouble because we have the opportunity to suffer with Jesus. We are further unified with other family members here on earth who suffer for their faith. The family unity is a gift from God, a circle of love and protection that lifts us up when we are in the middle of a time of struggle. Our unity and love gets stronger the more that we struggle under persecution.

Eve

Did the hope of the Good News of a Son to save the world motivate Eve’s life, or did she live in shame? Did the enemy, Satan, mostly make her feel intimidated and defeated? Did her children treat her with love and respect, or did they blame all their problems on her?

Yes, her sin started the sin ball rolling. Still, she could have lived in God’s forgiveness. She could have lived as a citizen of Heaven who worked in unity with her husband so they could share the burden of their suffering and support each other every day. Their love could have been a constant draw, pulling their children to God and His great love.

Mary

The mother of Jesus had to walk a lonesome road much of her life. In a very real and personal way she understood a lot about both the suffering and the joy that living for Jesus brings. How comforting it must have been for her to understand God’s Good News and to enjoy that circle of love with John, Jesus’ beloved disciple, and other believers after Jesus returned to heaven.

My Prayer

Dear Father over all, please help me to live today with my priorities straight. Thank You that I can be on the winning team and not be intimidated by the enemy. Thank You for the privilege of living my life as a citizen of Heaven within the circle of Your love that surrounds Your suffering children here on earth.  This life is possible because of Jesus, His suffering and His Good News! Amen!