August 8, 2013 Steadfast

Read Philippians 3:1-4 Steadfast 3 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh. KING David prays in Psalms 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” He speaks a beautiful prayer of humility, submission and love for God’s truths in him, doesn’t he? Stop for a moment and pray this for yourself. Based on Paul’s words to the Philippians, I believe he prayed that kind of prayer often. As Paul says “it is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again” he is showing a steadfast spirit to teach Jesus’ truths again and again to the Philippians. Certainly Paul needs a steadfast spirit in him to be secure and firm in his ministry, doesn’t he? The one truth he is speaking of here is to tell the Philippians to ignore the lies of those who claim it was necessary to be circumcised to become a Christian. These “Judaizers” always tried to destroy the faith way to Jesus by declaring the need for the flesh way of circumcision. Steadfastly the Judaizers attacked with lies. And the way to repel them was to be more steadfast in the truth. Paul knows the truth, and he is glad to steadfastly repeat it. Do you feel challenged by those who disobey the truth? Perhaps your children or friends reject Jesus’ faith ways. Perhaps you do. The thing you must do is to be joyfully steadfast to keep speaking the truth, beginning with yourself. A Moment’s Thought: Go ahead, pray that prayer again.

August 7, 2013 Be Special

Philippians 2:19-22 Be Special 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. I HAVE a question for you. Could you put your name in this scripture? Could your closest friend or someone you attend church with say, “There is no one else like (your name), who takes a genuine interest in others’ welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that (your name) has proved himself/herself, because as a child with his father he/she has served with me in the work of the gospel. This is a joyful way to live, isn’t it? You live in Jesus. Your mind is set to follow him in all his truths, free of encumbering traditions, fears and limiting thoughts. You are eager to serve Jesus by caring for others. You humble yourself to others authority to serve with them, and they joyfully serve with you. When you live especially for Jesus, you are a special person. You are saved to his truths that others may be saved through you. Isn’t that incredible? What a wonderful opportunity the Lord has given you. Rejoice and be glad. A Moment’s Thought: Jesus has uniquely gifted you to serve him.

August 6, 2013 Do?

Read Philippians 2:14-18 Do? 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. WHAT do you do as a Christian? Perhaps that question has been asked endless times through the centuries since Jesus ascended to heaven with his orders to his disciples, Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Then see the confused disciples corrected by an angel: Acts 1:11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” So they began to “do” something. They prayed, replaced Judas, waited, waited some more and prayed some more. Then the Spirit came to power them on the path to their great discipleship-doing for Jesus. And what is that? Paul’s words here indicate discipleship doing is reflecting Jesus. “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” Jesus humbled himself to the cross. “Become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation.” Jesus is the perfect Son of God. “Shine like stars in the universe.” Jesus is the Light of the World. “Hold out the word of life.” Jesus preached. “Boast on the day of Christ.” Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. “(Do) not run or labor for nothing.” Jesus canceled sin’s condemnation. A Moment’s Thought: Disciple-doing is really something, isn’t it?

August 5, 2013 Therefore

Read Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. WHEN someone says to you, “Therefore, this is what you must do.” How do you feel? Maybe you are resistant because you don’t like what you “must do”. Possibly you are hopeful because it gives you a direction to go to change your life for the better. “Therefore” is there for a reason (as one of my favorite pastors says). In essence the word means, “You know the truth. Now act on the truth.” What truth does Paul encourage the Philippians to act on? Read verses 6-11, where Paul powerfully reminds the Philippians their Lord Jesus is the name that is above every other name! Then comes the cal to act into this truth with, “Therefore.” What is the appropriate action to the truth? Of course it is to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (awe and reverence), isn’t it? Certainly you are in awe that Jesus’ power is within you, aren’t you? Certainly you are reverent to bow down before him. What else would you do? To consider Jesus’ Lordship in any other way is to negate Jesus’ power within you. Jesus is Lord of all, my friends. He will not accept your casual response to his passionate life and death for you. Therefore, go and do as he calls you to do. Be humble to the Savior, who has humbled himself for you. A Moment’s Thought: Jesus is Lord; therefore, rejoice!

August 4, 2013 The Name of Jesus

Read Philippians 2:9-11 Confess Jesus Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. WHO is the person whose name you honor, the one whose name causes you to think, “Oh, yes! He is the one I hope to be like someday.” Do you ever answer the question with, “Jesus Christ”? We don’t respond that way do we? Why not? Is it simply something we assume that as Christians Jesus is the one we most honor? Is honoring Jesus, bowing our knee to him emotionally and sometimes even physically an automatic response to “Jesus”? Reality is we seldom consider the power of our Lord’s name. We hear “Jesus” and think, “I’ll get to him later.” We pray to “Jesus”, and we wonder, “Does he care?” We hear “Jesus’” commands and ask, “Is he talking to me?” We look at “Jesus” cross and say, “Must have been awful.” Paul’s words are a sharp reminder to us that there is no other name in heaven and earth greater than the name of Jesus Christ. Because of his death, resurrection, ascension and glorification at the Father’s right hand, his name is not merely a title, “Jesus” refers to his person—who he is—and the position of dignity and honor that is due him. You can be given the name “Christian” rescued from sin’s destruction because of the one who bore the name of Jesus on earth and is seated in authority in heaven. How do you respond to “Jesus”? A Moment’s Thought: Jesus is worthy of bowing your knee.

August 3, 2013 Jesus' Hard Death

Read Philippians 2:5-8 Jesus’ Hard Death Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. WHEN someone teaches you, especially regarding certain rules of behavior, what is a really good way for you to learn? It helps, doesn’t it, when you have a real life to follow? You know, for example, how to be a good teacher as you remember the good teachers in your life. Someone’s way of life gives you a good life way to travel on, doesn’t it? As Paul urges the church at Philippi to have a mind of humility, he helps them see what that looks like through the example of the Lord Jesus. Of course, Jesus is the great model of every aspect of our life’s way, but Paul drives humility home with the compelling view of Jesus’ cross death. Oh yeah, Jesus died on a cross for you. You’ve heard that haven’t you? But does it humble you to know that? As Paul says Jesus was “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” he drives home the point Jesus died a most horrible death. Not only was Jesus humble to become human, but he was humble to die in agony for you. What’s your response when someone does something nice for you? You’re grateful, aren’t you? What’s your response that Jesus has humbled himself to excruciating suffering for you? A Moment’s Thought: Jesus’ humility is your life’s way.

August 2, 2013 Center on Jesus

Philippians 2:1-4 Center on Jesus So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. “COMPLETE my joy,” Paul says. When you consider the circumstances in which Paul wrote these words, this is a very Jesus-centered sentence. Joy could easily have been the last thing on Paul’s mind. He was imprisoned in a house in Rome, chained to a Roman guard 24/7. It had been 5 years since he had been free! How could Paul say, “Complete my joy” from prison? Paul could express his joy and desire more joy because he has said, “Yes.” to Jesus’ joy invitation recorded in John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Lovingly and joyfully Paul encourages the Philippians to Jesus-centered, Spirit-powered lives as they “in humility count others more significant than (themselves).” You know about humility, don’t you? Humility shows up when you don’t have to always be right. You’ll find humility when you put others before you. Humility really comes into the open when you put Jesus before you. Humility brings people together, and humility is a means to love one another in Jesus’ love. Be humble to center your life on Jesus. Doing so will make your more complete. A Moment’s Thought: centering on Jesus takes you off center stage.