Transformed Lives Transforming The World

What Is God Up To?

The truth is that it’s all up to God. He doesn’t just give you a kick-start, and then leave it up to you to sink or swim. It’s true enough that a Christ-follower should learn how to live obediently the life of a fully devoted follower of Christ, and it is up to us to train ourselves through personal decisions and discipline to become the people he wants us to be. Exactly what that means in each person’s life will forever be an issue of personal discovery and conviction, and we shouldn’t insist that everyone else base their experience on our own, and we should never be guilty of making our experience the standard for others.

But the work of grace is constant and never ending. Except for the grace of God working in us all of the time we wouldn’t, we couldn’t, ever become a Christ-follower in the first place, and we could never remain a Christ-follower. His work in us is far more than saving us…his work in us is to make us what we were created to be:

Romans 8:28-30
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

God’s promise to you is to save you for the purpose of making you like Jesus…ultimately to spend eternity with him in heaven…because to love you, to save you, and to make you like Jesus pleases him more than any of us have the ability even to begin to comprehend.

Simply Difficult

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, " - Philippians 2:14

This verse challenges me and frustrates me because it reads very simply but does not live as easily. It is a pretty straight forward passage; plainly worded, concise, and understandable. However, when tried in my own life this verse has proven to be tremendously difficult to obey with any kind of consistency.

Complaining is too easy. It's easy to find faults in something or someone. It's easy to point out everything that displeases us or does not live up to our expectations. We also argue with ease. When someone disagrees with you it does not take much effort to defend your point. We naturally defend ourselves by arguing and refusing to cede our correctness. Complaining and arguing are exceedingly easy when we are focused on ourselves, because they are both ways that we defend ourselves and attack others.

The problem is attitude. When life is about me and my desires then I constantly complain and argue. But when I let go of myself and view others as equals or better then it becomes much easier to avoid an argument or to keep a complaint to myself. It is so fitting that this verse follows the passage where Paul exhorts the Philippians to be humble by telling them to have the same attitude as Christ and then describes the nature of Christ's humility, because only through humility can we obey verse 14. - "Do everything without complaining or arguing"

(Mike Crain)

Opposite World

The passage that we have been looking at encourages us to imitate Christ's humility. Why do I think that my life will be better when I'm prideful? Why is it I think that if things go just the way I want them to I will be more satisfied?

I think it would be interesting if I started a list and kept track of every time I did something for myself and every time I did something for Michelle. Then at the end of each day I would read back over that list and notate for each entry if the action resulted in satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

While I've never compiled a list, my experience has been, when I do things for Michelle I am more satisfied with my life than when I do things for myself. Most of the time the things that bring me satisfaction seem like things that will bring dissatisfaction.

For example, we've kind of had responsibilities divided up at our house, I take care of the finances and yard work and she takes care of cleaning the house and doing laundry. It seems to work pretty good. I don't think either one of us like doing our responsibility, but neither of us complain too much about them. But last week I helped out with the house cleaning. I didn't want to, she didn't ask me to, I didn't like it while I was doing it, but when it was over I was amazingly satisfied. I was glad I helped out.

I think the opposite is also true in many cases. When I do something for myself that I think will satisfy me (like sitting and watching a football game, while she is cleaning the house) most of the time I end up disappointed. It is amazing how much sin has tarnished my sense of reality. I so often think the opposite of reality.

The reality is that when I'm unselfish I'm satisfied, and when I'm selfish I'm unsatisfied. God wants us to be humble and unselfish because he wants us to be satisfied. God is for us, and His ways are for us. Even as he created the universe to operate the way it does he was thinking of us.
(Mark Kincannon)

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Myopia

Myopia

 When I was in third grade I got diagnosed with a slight myopia. It sounded awful, but apparently it is pretty common. Myopia is the fancy name for nearsightedness. Whether it was my genes or sitting too close to the television, my eyes had lost their ability to see detail in things far away. After a thirty-minute exercise in futility in which my eye doctor kept asking me which way I saw better—do you like it this way or that way? Is it more clear here or there?—I finally received some glasses. The result was astonishing. I went home, looked out my back yard, and saw leaves. They were hanging on trees, which is apparently where they had been all along even though I didn’t see them. I just saw green blobs before my myopia was cured with oddly shaped pieces of plastic.

 Anytime you are diagnosed with something you become an expert on the subject and the same is true for me, and so I can spot myopia a mile away. While I can’t look at you and determine your eye sight, being a sufferer I can identify other myopic people. We all know myopic people—the kind of people that if they were to have entered the worship center as we were singing How Great Thou Art, they would have said “thank you.” While there was a time in which identity was found within community, we live in a society based on the individual. 

 This is a self-centered world.

 Full of self-sufficient people.

 Denying our self-love

 And hiding our self-concern.

 Claiming to be self-reliant.

 Many are self-employed. 

 All claim to be self-made.

 Most of us play self-defense

 In order to hide a poor self-esteem.

 We need self-improvement.

 Or self-management.

 Maybe a little self-control

 It might keep us from self-medicating.

And hopefully from self-indulging.

 So we try to self-educate

 In order to draw a better self-portrait.

     It is to this myopic world that example of Jesus stands in stark contrast.  He didn't hold on to what was rightfully his (v.6).  He made himself nothing (v. 7).  He humbled himself (v.8).  He was obedient (v.8).  In the midst of a self-centered world, Jesus emptied himself for the well-being of others and the glory of God.

     Now he calls us to do the same--to step out of our myopic tendencies and empty ourselves of ourselves. 

(Kevin Thompson)

Am I Bowing?

Philippians 2:9-11 -- "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 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."

The question that I ask myself after reflecting on this verse is, "Am I bowing to Jesus?" The verse says that eventually every knee will bow, but my question for me today is, "am I bowing now?" The quick response would be, "Yea I'm a pastor. I work everyday with God's word, I'm at the church everyday trying to help people to know God better. I know that he is the Creator of the Universe, I know that Jesus is Almighty God. I know that He died in my place for my many sins. I know there is no other way to eternal life with God except through Him. I know that he is the King of Kings, sure I bow to Jesus."

I think...Well come to think about it I'm not sure if I did today, something unusual came up and I had to go to Little Rock. I can't remember bowing to Him yesterday...the boys woke up before me and as always once they are up it is loud and active around the house. I tried to on Sunday during the three different services I attended...but my mind was racing with different things that needed to be attended to...There are brief moments when I bow before him for instance during the singing on Sundays...But it is very difficult during my current life situation for me to get quiet and still before God on a daily basis and bow before him with my whole life.

There is no question that I bow before him on an intellectual level. I know what the facts are when in comes to who God is and what he has done. I'm convinced of the truth. The issue with me is has my heart bowed? I have so much going on that I never stop to bow. I'm not talking about literally getting on my knees, but that would not be a bad thing for me to do. But I'm talking about pausing for a good while and just reflecting on Christ and all that he is. I'm constantly thinking about things that I need to do, and most of them are good things. I need to help Michelle do this...I need to get Mason something to eat...I need to change Maddax's diaper...I need to call this guy from home group and take him to lunch...I need to change the oil in my truck...I need to make sure I send out an email to the guys that are attending the Growing Men's Bible Study to remind them about something...Did I order enough books for the Women's Bible Study...I need to be ready for the sermon prep meetings...I wonder if that property will be good for the Greenwood campus...Did I hurt Michelle's feelings when I said that...Is MacKenzie (our daughter that is due in December) healthy...Should I buy that stock...should I sell this stock...Did I actually post that blog like I was supposed to....

My mind is running constantly and it is hard for me to get it to stop running and just bow before God. Paul tells us to imitate Christ's humility, but if I'm not bowing to Christ I can't be imitating his humility. If I'm putting other things, even other good things, before bowing to him I'm placing other stuff before him therefore I'm bowing to those other things.

There really are no excuses when it comes to this issue in my life...well there are excuses, but no good ones. God is too good, He has shown me way too much mercy and way too much grace for me to ever bow before anything else. May God transform this area of my life so that I imitate Christ humility and bow before Him. God help me to arrange my life in such a way that I will have stillness before you so that I can bow.

It is tough to run and bow at the same time...
(Mark Kincannon)

Ultimate Intention

There’s something here that we can’t afford to miss; something that totally wrapped itself around Paul and influenced everything he did. I wonder if there’s a better statement of intent anywhere in the Bible. If you want to know where everything’s headed this is it. This is God’s plan from eternity past and it’s his purpose for all eternity to come. And one of these days nobody is going to argue the point. Some doubt it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Some resist it, but that doesn’t change the facts. Some ignore it, but that won’t make it go away…
Here’s the message—the one message that brings ultimate glory to God. Jesus is Lord. That’s it. That’s what everything we do points to. That’s what everything in the Bible revolves around. It’s what everything God does is all about. Because of all that Jesus accomplished through his display of genuine humility and servitude, including the ultimate act of obedience, his ignominious death on the cross, God has exalted his name above all names for all time.
Every time we take on his life and live his kind of life, we’re doing the same thing and we’ll have the same result—we shine a light on the glory of God our Father that allows everyone else to see his real glory.
Sounds good, right? Sure it does. But what does it mean to show his glory? How can we, who are anything but "glorious," even begin to imagine that we can show anyone else anything that even begins to resemble such glory. That's a good question too. But I think I can help. Stay tuned...
(Ed Saucier)

Philippians 2:5-8

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!"

This passage tells of the attitude of Jesus Christ. Reread what the attitude of Christ was. Can you describe it? Christ was God, and he made himself nothing, he made himself into a servant. Think on that, the Almighty God of the universe, creator of all things, made himself a servant for you! Christ, dwelling with God the Father, came down from heaven and took on bodily form. Christ became a servant, obedient to His Father's plan, and went willing to His death, the death of a criminal. Does this not fill you with awe? Does this not make you sit back in wonder? The Almighty God came down from heaven and died a horrible death for you!

Paul doesn't want us just to think on what Christ did. Paul wants us to do the same thing for those around us. He urges us to make our attitudes the same as Christ's attitude?

(Adam Kareus)

Assumptions

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

It's an interesting assumption that the text makes--we will look out for our own interests.  There seems to be no hesitation, no exception, no possibility that some of us are different.  In-bedded within humanity is a natural bent to look out for ourselves.  The text doesn't explain it, the text assumes it.  So should we. 

There are times in which I would like to think that I'm different.  I don't feel selfish.  I don't feel vain.  I don't intentionally manipulate situations for my benefit.  Yet this text knows me better than I know myself.  At every moment and in every way, I am looking out for myself. 

Strangely, the text doesn't say this is wrong.  It doesn't ask us to change.  Instead it simply asks us to use our tendency as a teacher of how we should treat others.  In the way that we naturally look out for our interests, we need to look out for the interests of others.  We will look out for ourselves, but we can't stop there.  We must then consider the well being of others with an equal ferocity.  This step is neither assumed nor easy.  It can only happen when we think like Christ who cared for us just as much as he cared for himself.    

            

   

 

Fighting When It Counts

I've never understood why people like to fight. But some do. I'm not one of them--at least not in the sense that I enjoy the thrill of the win at the expense of someone else being the loser. But at the same time I enjoy competition tremendously, especially team competition. And when I compete I want to win, and I try to win, but it's never been why I've loved sports; and I do love sports. I've never played a game of anything--win, lose, or draw--where winning was more important to me than the people who were playing in the game. Winning the game was never as important to me as playing the game and enjoying all of the other people who were playing. So I guess I like to fight in this sense, as long as no one gets hurt.
Fighting together as a team appeals to me; it brings out the best in me; at least I hope it does. To know that what I'm doing matters to the guy next to me feels good. That's because it is good. I think we're supposed to feel responsibility for each other, at least in some ways. I'm not ultimately responsible for the decisions that anyone else makes, but I am responsible for doing my part for the sake of the team.
So it is that we are enjoined to take up this fight for our faith. And the thing is, we're really not fighting anyone else so much as we're fighting those parts of our own souls that are more enemy to us than all the demons of hell combined. So this isn't a fight where anyone has to get hurt or become the loser. To be privileged to do so in community is to be a part, to be counted on and counted in, along with all the rest. Though there are leaders there are no heroes, and although some are less ready to do battle than others, none are unworthy, and none are turned away.
I like being a part of something like that...
(Ed Saucier)

The Need for Others

"I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved---and that by God."--Philippians 1:27-28

In order for us to stand firm in the midst of frightening circumstances we need others around us. While following Christ is a decision each of us have to make as an individual. Scripture points us to the idea that we need others around us to help us grow, and complete the Christian life. The people that are really close to us need to be people that will point us to Christ. Not only will these people point us towards Christ by their words, but there is a comfort and strength that can be sensed when we have people around us that will not allow us to screw our life up by ignoring or walking away from Christ.

Some will encourage by the words they speak. Others will encourage by the things they have endured. Paul says in verse 30, "since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." Knowing that others have endured difficulties as great or greater than the ones we face will strengthen us to continue to trust God.

Something else that can keep us going when we are facing opposition is knowing that others are seeing Christ through our circumstances and knowing that through our suffering others are getting a glimpse of the greatness of God. When our lives are about Christ everything is gain, even hardships. When we endure suffering it shows people that knowing Christ is more valuable than ridding ourself of the troubles by walking away from the truth of the Gospel. Even people that are involved in creating the opposition will notice the greatness of God. Paul says, "This is a sign to them..."

Personally, nothing is more satisfying than knowing that God is using me to make His name known. Nothing brings me more joy. Now I'm not seeking suffering, but if it comes, or should I say when it comes I pray that God will surround me with people that will point me to these verses and push me to endure.
(Mark Kincannon)

No Fear

"I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved---and that by God."--Philippians 1:27-28

Here we continue to see Paul encouraging the Philippians. I tend to encourage people when I know that there is the possibility they might be discouraged. I need encouragement the most when I'm in doubt.

Paul knows what the Philippian Christians are up against. He knows what it is like to face opposition because he has experienced it. Therefore he wants to encourage them to continue in their struggle for Christ. He doesn't want the difficulties of their present situation to cause them to walk away from their belief in the goodness and truthfulness of the Gospel.

There is some debate as to exactly what the opposition was for the Philippians. Could it be the Jews that were trying to persuade new Christians to fall into religious actions that would earn them salvation? Therefore nullifying the grace of Jesus Christ. Could it be Roman pagans that were calling the Christians atheist because they believed in a God that was not visible? Was it people that called themselves Christians but took erroneous liberties with grace? Whatever it was it was no small opposition if it could produce fear. Whatever the opposition might have been in the Philippian's case Paul wants them to stand firm in the truth. He wants them to stand firm even though the opposition has the potential to evoke fear in them.

What is my opposition? What is your opposition? Is there anything in your life that might cause you to walk away from your faith in the truth of Christ? Is there anything that might cause you to waiver? I think that is a question worth asking yourself now? It is a question that needs to be addressed before you experience that opposition. I also think it is a question that we will probably never be able to answer.

I pray that as I continue to seek to follow Christ daily that he will prepare me and strengthen me so that on that day I will persevere. I have to be realistic and know that opposition will come. It is easy to become complacent in our culture today and assume that no opposition will arise in our life. I pray that God will send encouragement my way during that time of opposition as he did for the Philippians in the form of Paul. I pray that during that time I will "stand firm without being frightened in any way" by that opposition.

(Mark Kincannon)

A Citizen's Duty

"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." - Philippians 1.27a

As I began to look at the passage of Philippians that we will focus on this week (1:27-2:4) my attention kept going back to the first verse.  It caught my attention because there are a couple of things in this verse that we need to look at carefully.

The first is the opening phrase, whatever happens.  If we look at this verse in isolation our interpretation might be that Paul means whatever happens to the Philippians.  However, as we look at the verses that precede 1.27, where Paul lays out for the Philippians the possibilites for his future, we see that Paul means whatever happens to him.  He is telling the church in Philippi that the directive that he is about to give them is to be carried out regardless of whether he is able to come and visit them again.

We should also take a close look at the phrase conduct yourselves. This phrase is a single word in the Greek, politeuesthe, and could be literally translated, "to live as a citizen."  Paul is telling his readers to live as citizens of the gospel of Christ; to live as citizens of a heavenly kingdom.  Paul's command to live as citizens of the gospel would have resonated well with the Philippian church, because they lived in a city where most of the people took pride in their status as Roman citizens.  The Philippians would have understood that just as citizenship comes with rights and privileges it also comes with duties and certain expectations of conduct. 

By appealing to their sense of citizenship and connecting it to Jesus Paul creates accountability for the Philippians even if he never makes it back to Philippi.  They now have the charge not just to please Paul with their obedience but to live holy lives out of their responsibility as citizen's of God's kingdom.  In the same way, realizing that we are citizens in God's kingdom should create accountability for us.  There is certain life-style that we are called to as followers of Christ, and since we enjoy the incredible benefits of being citizens of the gospel we should also fulfill the duties of a citizen and conduct ourselves in a manner that magnifies Jesus Christ.                                            (Mike Crain)

The Important Thing

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.  The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.  The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I'm in chains.  But 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." - Philippians 1:15-18

The first thing that sticks out to me in this passage is the phrase "it is true."  It stuck out to me because the situation that Paul goes on to explain is still true today, and if not the exact situation at least the principal behind it.  Paul describes two groups of people acting on his life.  One group- sincere and devout, loyal to Paul and devoted to Chirst- follows Paul's example, honoring him by carrying on the work he is no longer able to do because of his incarceration.  Another group - selfish and deceptive, wolves in sheep's clothing- misuse the gospel as a tool to make Paul's imprisonment even worse.  Some people were honestly concerned for Paul and while others seemed like they were on the same team as Paul, but truly wished to do him harm.

"It is true" today.  That situation still exists.  Most of us can relate with Paul's predicament here, because we know people who would make great sacrifices to help us in our moment of need, but we also know people who would throw us under the bus if it meant personal gain for them.  Many of us have experienced both the loyalty of a true friend and the feeling of being burnt by deception.  What was happening to Paul also happens to us on some level.

How do we usually react to people stirring up trouble for us?  My initial reacion is usually not very good.  When I find out that someone is trying to cause me harm my first feeling is anger and my first thought is payback.  I know it is not right to react that way, and that is why Paul's reaction is so impressive to me.  Paul expresses no hatred or vindictiveness, but instead he simply says, "But what does it matter?"  He couldn't care less about how his antagonists actions are effecting him, because Paul's only concern is that the gospel is being proclaimed.  Paul's number one priority is that Christ be exalted (v.22), so as long as that is happening he can ignore the animosity of those who oppose him.  For Paul life is not about him it is about Christ.

Basically, since Paul believes that to live is Christ he is able to shake them haters off. (Sorry, I couldn't resist this hip-hop reference)   

(Mike Crain)

Is it Clear?

"As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ." - Philippians 1:13

Yesterday we looked at how the "that" in verse 12 makes all the difference,  because it takes the emphasis off Paul and puts it on Christ.  Paul does not inform the Philippians about what has happened to him so they will throw him pity party, but so they can rejoice in the furthering of the gospel as he does (v.18).  In verses 13-14 Paul explains how the gospel has been advanced by him being imprisoned.

Paul expalins that "it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else" that the reason he is in prison is Christ.  It is obvious, and not just to a few people but to everyone, what is motivating Paul.  It is clear to everyone that Paul's top priority is Jesus Christ and that is what landed him in prison.  What an amazing witness that is.  How much does that speak to the greatness of Christ that Paul is willing to endure prison because of him.  It's not like Paul is a Christian who is in jail because he had lapse in judgment and did something dumb, illegal, and immoral, and it's not like Paul is a Christian who is in jail for tax evasion because he was using Jesus for his own gain.  Paul is in prison solely because of Jesus Christ. 

It strikes me that this was clear to the entire palace guard.  The palace guard was a contingent of several thousand soldiers; it was not just a few men serving as security guards. Many of the soldiers would have had personal contact with Paul but not all of them.  But Paul says that it has become clear to the whole palace guard why he is in chains, so there is something about the way he is handling his imprisonment that makes its obvious to those who don't even know him but only hear about him that he is in chains for Christ.

That makes me question the way I handle the adversity that comes from being a Christian.  If I encounter persecution is it clear why I am being persecuted? Does the way I handle the persecution make it clear that I am enduring it for Christ?  Is it clear to everyone? To anyone?  When there is hardship in my life the way I live through it should draw attention to Jesus not to me.  When I have to make sacrifices in my life it should not be about me and my loss, but people should be able to clearly see Christ in the way I live my life. 

Do our actions, attitudes, thoughts, and words clealry show Jesus as the top priority in our lives?  Are our lives serving to advance the gospel?

(Mike Crain)

The Key "That"

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel" (1.12)

It is nearly impossible for me to describe life in a way that differs from the actual circumstances of my life. If I were writing verse 12 I would mimic much of what Paul said, but I would leave out a key word early in the verse. He said, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.” I would leave out the “that” along with the end of the sentence. I would have simply said, “Now I want you to know, brothers, what has happened to me.”

The brothers already knew, but I would want to tell them again. Paul is trying to show them that what has happened has turned out for good, yet not only do I not have that perspective, I assume that just knowing my story would be enough to explain why I’m not happy. 

Someone might ask:

 “What’s wrong with you?” And I would respond, “Didn’t you hear what happened?”

 “Why isn’t your work done?” “Didn’t you hear what happened?”

 “Why are you frustrated?” “Didn’t you hear what happened?”

Imprisonment for the sake of my faith would become the ultimate trump card in my arsenal. You would never be able to complain to me about anything. Imagine being at lunch when someone started talking about their life taking a bad turn. You could let them get about halfway into their story and then suddenly say, “I was placed in shackles in a Roman prison because of my faith.”

I would definitely want the Philippian brothers to know what happened to me. Along with the Philippian sisters, mothers, fathers, and everyone else. I would want them to know, not so they could benefit. I would want them to know so that they could feel sorry for me, so they could understand my issues, so they could cover my inadequacies.

Yet Paul includes the word “that.” “That” makes all the differences. “That” actually changes the whole story. Paul says, “Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.”

How about you?  Are you still living in the "what" of your life?  Or have you grown to see the "that"? 

(Kevin Thompson)

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Tuesday, Week 1--Philippians 1:9-11

In this passage Paul prays for the Phillippians. This is extraordinary since he is the one who is suffering in prison. I think that if I was in prison it would be my tendency to ask others to pray for me. In this letter Paul prays that their, "love would abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent." (English Standard Version) We talked about love + knowledge = God's best on Sunday, but as I continue to look at this passage two more things keep jumping out at me. They both deal with the end of verse 10 and the beginning of verse 11. Paul continues, "and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God."(ESV)

First, God's best is so that I might be pure and blameless. Usually when I think of God's best for my life it has to do with big decisions for family or career, but Paul says here that the objective of God's best for my life has to do with me being pure and blameless. In other words, it is about me being obedient. I would rather it be about big decisions not daily obedience, because being obedient in the small things means I have to obey now, every second and not just when it comes to a big decision.

The second thing that jumps out at me is that Paul is praying for other people to be pure and blameless. Most of my prayers for other people don't revolve around their obedience. Most of my prayers for other people deal with their comfort. Typically, I pray for their sickness to end, their financial problems to end, their suffering to end, not their obedience.

Are you like me? Would you rather have God's best when it comes to the big things in life, but would just assume He leave you alone on the small things? What about in your prayers for others? Not counting your children, if you have them, how often do you pray for others to become pure and blameless?

May God change me to live a pure and blameless life and to pray that others do the same.

All thanks to Christ who has achieved that purity before God for me through his perfect life, death, and resurrection.
(Mark Kincannon)

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Monday Morning

It's Monday morning and the to do list is long.  The work needed to be done is daunting.  There is a list for home, one for work, and even a mental list of things that better not be forgotten.  With every intention of getting ahead, this will quickly become another week of just trying to stay afloat.  With all the work I have to do, it is easy to forget that I'm not the only one working. 

Paul begins his letter to the Church at Philippi by thanking God for their partnership and then expressing his confidence that "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (1.6).

My "to do" list is not the only one.  God has one as well.  He has a plan to transform me this week. By Friday he hopes that I will know him more and love him deeper.   He will be at work this week not only within my life, but also within the lives of those around me.  Ironically, His work may at times intervere with my work.   He may choose to interrupt me in order to accomplish his task.  He may choose to frustrate my work in order to do His own. 

May we have the faith to see Him at work and the trust to believe that His work supersedes ours.   

Read Philippians 1.1-6 and be reminded of who is at work today.

(Kevin Thompson)

Launch Date

September 8, 2008--

Our study of Philippians will begin this week and daily devotions will be published here each day.