Philippians 3: 1
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.
1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
The Bible says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). What does that mean? It's easy to get wrapped up in life, to anticipate the next video game or to get hurt when a friend talks about you behind your back. In fact, when we allow ourselves to think about that stuff, it's easy to assume that God isn't taking care of us or that He doesn't love us. And when we think about that too much, it's easy to walk away completely. So when Paul says that rejoicing in the Lord helps to safeguard our faith, it's pretty obvious, and yet Paul also says it over and over (and over and over) in the next two chapters. Keep reading and I'll show you all about it.
Take sometime today to thank God for His goodness and for taking care of you.
-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
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 1:19-20
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-
Psalm 40:1-3
Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)
1. I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3. He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.
There is an old saying "If you're in a hole, stop digging" Like me a lot
of people, fall into a pit or hole they have made for themselves. People
get into relationships, drugs, bad habits, etc. when they realize where
they are it's to late. For example, me...I just started hanging out with
some bad friends...then....started smoking, just to be cool... then a
beer or two.... then marijuana...them Cocaine....then dealing
drugs....then stealing to support my habit...then jail time...the list
goes on.... I was in so deep, I couldn't make it out on my own.
Then one day I cried out to God, because I had no where to look,
but up. Jesus turned to me reached down and lifted me out of the pit I
had created for myself, he forgave my sins, took away my shame, he set
my feet on the foundation of his word and put a new song in my mouth.
Jesus gave me a new life, a new attitude, a place that was safe and
secure.
If your in a place where you feel trapped or feel like your in a
pit and feel there is no way out...take it from me there is! JESUS! If
you hear a voice, or people say that there is no way out for you, Don't
believe it! It's a lie! You can make it out no matter how far down we
are, Jut cry out to God for help. His words are true. He will rescue
you!
Later,
DJ Jackson
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