Philippians 2: 3-4
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Ouch. As we go through the Bible, we're going to hit on several passages that mess you up. This is another one. Paul isn't saying to never think anything good about yourself, and he definitely isn't saying that you shouldn't ever do anything that makes you happy, but we get too caught up in that sort of stuff. To sum this verse up in one sentence, it would be, don't get so caught up in yourself that you forget about anyone else. Try and find someone to help out today.
-Jeff-
Philippians 2: 1-2
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
I think this is Paul's way of saying, stop complaining and get along! Here he says, if you've ever gotten anything out of being a Christian, if the words that I've spoken to you have ever made any sense, then do me a favor and be nice to each other. Paul was a little nicer about it, but really when you think about it, God has done so much for us, we need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for Him. Have you been fighting with anyone recently? Maybe it's time to start being friends again.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1: 28-30
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
28 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. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 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.
At some point in our lives we've all been picked on. We've all had people say things behind our backs, or take our lunch money or whatever. Here Paul tells us not to be afraid when people say things about us, why, because we are citizens of Heaven! Jesus tells us not to fear people who can hurt us physically, but instead to fear God and do what He wants.
Sometimes when you read the Bible through you get the idea that God wants us to be in pain. In verse 29 it even says that we've been given the privilege of suffering for Him. Later in Philippians it talks about fellowshipping with suffering, like it's fun to hang out with or something. But when we know that God has a plan, when we realize that this is not our home, and when we know that He's right there with us, everything gets easier to handle. I don't like to hurt, but when my hurt draws me closer to God it's worth it.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:27 part 2
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
27 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.
Yesterday I posted about the importance of seeing yourself as a citizen of Heaven. Today I want to focus on what it means to live in a manner worthy of the Good News. When Paul talks about standing together, it doesn't mean that you'll never disagree with someone, but when someone on the outside looks in at us they should see us standing together. Unity is key in the Christian church. When the believers in the early church were together in unity, it was then that the Spirit of God poured out.
Because we're citizens of Heaven, be willing to let the small stuff slide, and God is going to use us to do some amazing things.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:27
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
27 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.
You are a citizen of Heaven! This place, with all of it's hardships and sorrows isn't your home. Here in Washington State we've pioneered a method of camping that's rare elsewhere. You may not know this, but usually when it rains, normal people don't go camping. I know it's weird, but only here in the Pacific Northwest do you see people putting tarps up, most people just stay home. Have you been on a trip like that? Remember how wet and miserable you were? Remember how you tried to convince your parents to end the trip early? You wanted to get home because it was comfortable there. Well guess what!?! This isn't your home!
When you think about it that way, what does it make you want to do? How do you respond knowing that you won't have to stay here forever? For me it means that the hard times don't affect me as much. I don't sweat small things, because my perspective has changed. I can deal with the mud and yuck for a time, because I'm headed for streets of gold and a crystal sea!
How has this changed your perspective?
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:22-26
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you've probably thought about this question: Why didn't God just take us to heaven when we got saved? In this passage Paul states that Heaven is far better than Earth. This is one of those "No duh" type statements. Of course Heaven is better. So if we're better off there rather than here, why aren't we there?
The answer lies in Verse 24. Our lives are not about us. We're not here because God wants us to suffer, but because there are so many more people out there that He wants to save. So what are you doing to accomplish your goal here on Earth?
One quick note, I find it interesting that Paul says in verse 25 "I am convinced that I will remain alive." Without knowing the future, He knew that God was going to rescue Him, because his job on this planet wasn't yet accomplished. Interesting.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:19-20
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
*Sigh* It seems like about once a week I get an e-mail, see a blog or look at a bulletin on Myspace that tells some sort of sad story, and then tells me I'm not a "REAL" Christian if I don't forward this on to 20 other people, plus my life's gonna suck forever. Nothing like a little guilt to make you want to stand up proudly for Jesus, right? Please don't send me any of those chain letters, I don't like them and delete them as soon as they show up. So don't do it. Ever. This means you. ... ... Sorry, back to the devo:
Galatians says "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God..." So why are we afraid to share the good news? We need to be bold in standing up for Him. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, and it probably won't make your life any better (in fact Paul was in prison), but you will change a life, and that's worth it.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:21
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Save the whales. PETA. Earth Liberation Front. Pro-Life. Republicans. Democrats. These days everyone has a cause, something they will devote multiple hours of their lives to. For some, that cause is television. Maybe they don't go around blowing up buildings when their fav tv show goes on hiatus for a week, but it is what they spend their time and money on.
Paul says that for him, living (remember, he didn't know he would be released from prison at this point) meant promoting the gospel. It was his passion, his life, his reason to exist.
What's your cause?
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:15-18
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
15It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
There are some passages in scripture that just completely crush my sense of fairness, and this is one of them. I want things to be easy to understand. I want to make God fit in my little world, and yet everytime I think I have Him figured out, He blows my mind again. This is one of those times for me.
When you've been in the ministry as long as I have, you hear all sorts of things. One of the big things I hear is "So and so is doing ___________ for the wrong reasons". Usually it has to do with someone who wants to be up in front of people (like speaking) and usually it comes from one of their peers whose "concerned" with their well being. As a pastor, occasionally I'll have people come up and tell me that. Sometimes there is truth in what's being said, and if there is stuff going on, please come tell me, I need to know!
This section of scripture totally messes up that line of thinking though. If you read into this verse a little, it looks like some people were jumping on the opportunity of Paul being in prison to try and steal his ministry! Talk about kicking a guy when he's down! But Paul has the right view of this, he says, "The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached." It doesn't matter their heart, what matters is that Christ is preached.
I want to point out that it does matter for the person that's doing the preaching. If YOU are preaching to try and impress a guy, or because you want to be recognized, then you need to get right with God. But if you notice that in someone else, deal with the plank in your own eye before trying to remove the speck from theirs.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:12-14
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
Have you ever noticed that tragedy is a catalyst? Something about going through hard times makes people focus on what's really important, and it draws them back to God. I remember after the 9-11 attacks that rocked our nation (I know I'm dating myself) that there were many people who turned to God. Many churches experienced a 10-20% increase in attendance following those attacks, because people were searching for answers. You've noticed this in your own life, when your parents start fighting, or when you have a test coming up in school, you pick those moments to cry out to God.
News of Paul being in prison got around. People looked to him as a pillar of the faith, and now he was being taken away. I'm sure this drove people to their knees, and when they were down there God spoke to them about people that they needed to be witnessing to. What the enemy meant for evil (removing Paul), God turned around for good (now there were many people talking about Christ). And this hadn't stopped Paul either, he was witnessing to everyone he had contact with. So the gospel was actually moving forward because of his chains. That's pretty amazing.
When you're going through hard times, do you expect God to turn it around for his glory?
-Jeff-
Philippians 1: 7-11
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christb]">[b]—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
How do you respond when a friend is going through tough times? What about when they are being accused of something that you're not sure is right? As I said in a previous post, Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, and in 2 Timothy 4 he lists several people who have abandoned him because of his chains, yet the people in Philippi never doubted him. They stood strong with him until the end, because they believed in him and his message. So when someone comes to you and they're talking bad about one of your friends, do you stick with that friend, or let them slide?
-Jeff-
Philippians 1: 4-6
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
There are certain people in this life who, whenever I think of them, I can't help but thank God for them. People who are behind the scenes in my life, yet do little things that make my life easier. So, even if I never say this, I appreciate you all for how much you do, hopefully you know who you are.
So how about you? Who are the people in your life that make things easier? Do you have people who partner with you? Make sure you say thanks to them.
Vs. 6 contains a promise that I love. It reminds me that no matter where I am in the journey, God's not done with me yet, and His promise is that if He's started something in us, He will complete it. So if God's been speaking something to you, take heart and know that even if it starts small, He will do it for you.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1: 1-3
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We're going to start working through the book of Philippians but before we get started I think it's important to put this book into it's context. Context just means what's happening around it. So I want to take a moment to tell you about what was happening as Paul was writing this book. You see, the main points that are made and will keep coming up in this study are having joy in all circumstances, being humble, and being in unity with other believers. What's crazy, esp. about the joy part, is that Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison, and his future was uncertain. As he was writing, he really didn't know if he was going to live or die. And prisons back then were nothing like prisons of today. Let's just say there weren't any bathrooms, and leave it at that. So when Paul says in ch 4 that he's learned the secret to being happy in any circumstance, it's probably a good thing to pay attention to him, 'cause I don't know how happy I'd be in his position.
-Jeff-
