First Generation Understanding

Philippians 2:5-8 & Colossians 2:9

There has been a lot of rewriting of American History in recent years. It is amazing how much clarity is claimed from a distance of two centuries! The claim is made that those closest to the events were too clouded by their agendas to accurately record what happened. We don’t have any agenda, or so the modern claim goes, so we are in a better position to clear up those forced social, political and economic agendas and really understand what happened. But all they have are historical documents that were “colored” by those agendas. How are they able to filter out what really happened from such tainted sources? How do they keep their own agenda (and we all have a point of view that taints what we see and say) from overwhelming their reinterpretation of these historical events? They don’t!

Paul the Apostle wrote much of the New Testament. He was, if you remember, one of the people who opposed Jesus’ followers immediately after the Resurrection. We don’t know if he was part of any of the opposition during Jesus life, but we read of him popping up within a couple of years. He was a bit younger than Jesus was, perhaps seven years or so.

Paul had every reason to continue to oppose what Jesus said about Himself, but he didn’t. Instead, Paul writes profoundly about the nature of Jesus, being God and man. He does that in the two passages for today.

In Colossians Paul says in very straight forward terms that everything that constitutes Deity is present in Jesus. Nothing is left out. If I were to say that everything that constituted a python lived in you, I would back away because I would not want to be squeezed to death. Paul writes, that in Jesus, everything that God is, resides there.

In Philippians, Paul discusses in a more detailed way what happened when Jesus took on a human body. The heavy theological content is used by Paul to teach us about how we are to act toward each other. We are to be humble, willing to serve. But in the process of teaching about humility toward each other, Paul teaches us about Jesus.

Paul writes that Jesus adds the nature of a human being to the nature He already had, the nature of God. To do this Jesus had to not consider what He wanted, but what was best for us. He had to take selfishness out of the picture, not that He was ever selfish.

Many volumes have been written on these verses, so I won’t expound much more. If you have questions about Jesus’ Deity, and especially these verses, may I suggest this article. It is not the best, but it will get you started. It is rather scholarly, and filled with content, but for those who want more, it will help.

A word of caution. Remember that everything on the internet is not true! Many of the “scholarly” articles out there start with the bias that dismiss Scripture and Jesus’ intervention in history. They downplay our sinfulness and God’s grace in buying us back from sin. So be careful as you search. Ask your pastor for guidance in what to read. Pray!

Day 105

Memorize: Sufficiency of God's provisions

Philippians 4

Key Verses: 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 19,

Do you sometimes have problems getting along with people in your church? Are there some who get on your nerves or with whom you disagree politically or theologically? Well, you are not alone. Paul specifically mentions two women with whom he has worked that seem to be in some kind of dispute. This is one of the beauties of the Church. We can disagree on so many things, and yet in Christ we can come together, and all those other things just don’t seem to matter as much.

There is one characteristic that should be evident in the life of the Jesus-follower: joy. We have so much for which we should be thankful. Joy is different than happiness. Happiness is based on temporary circumstances and feelings. It can come and go in an instant. Joy is a deep-seated emotion, flowing from the intersection of spirit and soul. Joy is a God thing, not a human thing. I believer’s joy flows from our new position in Christ, a position that is secure and is in heaven. Joy can’t be manufactured. Joy flows out of our relationship with Jesus, just like apples flow from the essence of the apple tree.

There are some things we can do to open up joy in our life. We can pray! When our hearts are in God’s presence His peace will flood our spirits and bring direction to our hearts and minds. Then we will be able to focus our hearts and minds on godly things. We can choose where we want our mind to focus. You know people who always focus on the negative. Are they any fun to be around? Does anyone want to be like them? Is there joy in their lives? But if we focus on the things in verse eight, God’s peace is able to rule.

This brings contentment. The physical comforts and temporary conveniences will all disappear, but God’s peace can sustain us always. Notice Paul learned contentment at the top and at the bottom. It is “easy” to be content when all the bills are paid and the bank account is full. At least from the outward, we would think this. But so many people who have it all are very discontent. There is an internal struggle that few see, but it manifests itself in a constant striving for more. When we have learned to be content, then we are able to say that we can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

And likewise, when we have given generously we can say that God will meet all our needs. It is out of the abundance of the Philippian believers’ lives that they were able to see God’s provision for them. Without their generosity, they would not have known God’s abundance.

Day 104

Memorize: Yearning to know Christ

Philippians 3

Key Verses: 2, 5, 8, 10, 14, 17, 20

Paul pulls no punches when he deals with those who would try to pull the freedom found in Christ out from under his feet. He used to live his life in the futile attempt to earn God’s favor through obedience to the Law. He now lives in the freedom that Jesus’ death and resurrection brings. His thinking has been radicalized. He now views something he used to think was essential as mutilation, because it accomplishes absolutely nothing! It would be as though a Muslim came to believe that becoming a suicide bomber didn’t earn him his 70 virgins! What a waste!

Paul goes on to outline what used to be his boasts. Take a few moments and write a list of the things you count as accomplishments. Of the things on your list, what did you accomplish totally on your own, without any help from anybody? Even if you earned a PhD, someone taught you, wrote the textbooks, built the university, and discovered things long before you arrived at school. You didn’t do it by yourself. Paul came to value his list of boasts, his accomplishments, as garbage compared to the value of discovering Jesus.

Paul has traded all his old goals for one new goal: knowing Jesus’ power, suffering, death and resurrection. This is Paul’s goal. He wants to fully participate in every aspect of Jesus. He has not finished his quest or arrived at his goal, but he continues to press toward that goal, like a runner leaning forward to break the tape at the finish line. He must forget the past and move forward, not expending energy on the “what if”s and “if only”s. They are forgiven in Christ. If we are focused on the past we are not looking forward and upward to Christ. We must focus on the one goal, not the many non-goals.

Sometimes it is easier to live for Christ when there are people around you to whom you can look who are examples of the walk of faith. We need mentors and models. Some of us didn’t grow up in homes worth emulating. In fact, we vowed to not become like our parents. So we don’t even know what godly living looks like, because we have never seen it lived out. Find someone whose faith-walk you respect and follow them as they follow Christ.

We are only temporary residents of earth, now that we have become Jesus-followers. We have been transferred to the kingdom of Light. Our citizenship is in heaven, our permanent and rightful home because of Jesus’ work on our behalf. Even our bodies will be changed to match our new citizenship. If I lived in Hawaii, my new clothing options would not include a parka or warm wool hat. Instead, I would buy lots of shorts and cool shirts. Our new body fits the realm of heaven.

Review: Galatians & Ephesians

Day 103

Memorize: Outward evidences of humility

Philippians 2

Key Verses: 3, 4, 5-11, 13, 21

Some benefits of being a Jesus-follower we can feel, like encouragement, comfort, tenderness and compassion, and they are worth the struggles. Paul challenges us to remember the benefits and then step up and get along with each other. We must remember that we are now involved in something much bigger than ourselves. The common good is more important than our individual gain. (As I write this I just found out that I did not get a promotion at work. Object lesson!) We need to consider the other’s place and our place from God’s perspective.

And then Paul gives us the ultimate example of this attitude of service to others: Jesus. Jesus is God and chose not to use His position to serve His own interest, but served us instead. He was obedient in His death, a death that secured our new position with Him in heaven. Read verses 5-11 slowly. Every phrase is packed with meaning. Are we able to put our own self-interest aside and serve others like this? We may not be called to die, but we are called to die to self. Self is not on top of the priority list of life.

When we are obedient, then God works in us at the deepest levels. He works on our will, the place where desire and action meet. God wants to work on our wants, and change them into godly wants. As we take off the old wants and desires, and put on the new wants, then God is changing our will. He is right there in the middle of that process, enabling us to live godly lives, pleasing to Him. That is why we need to have the right attitude toward life. We must get rid of the ‘bad attitude’ that is so easily displayed. Grumbling just doesn’t have a place in the believer’s life. When it is gone, we really are different. We will shine. Remember, Paul is in prison as he writes this letter. He has lots of reasons to grumble and complain, but he doesn’t.

Epaphroditus was ill to the point of death. Sometimes very difficult things happen to believers causing grief and sorrow. Paul and the Philippian believers struggled to understand his illness. Both were almost overcome in their concern, so Paul wants to send Epaphroditus back to them to help relieve their anxiety, even though Epaphroditushas been Paul’s connection to them as he was in prison. He had risked his life for Paul. Have you ever risked your life for someone else?

Day 102

Memorize: Joy of Christian fellowship

Philippians 1

Key Verses: 4, 6, 9, 12, 18, 21, 29

Do you remember the last time you were filled with Joy? I mean the kind of joy that bubbles up and leaks out of your eyes joy. Paul is filled with joy as he remembered the believers in Philippi. They had jumped right into faith and into service. They gave themselves and then everything they had for the cause of Christ. And Paul knows that Jesus will continue to work in them. I have a life filled with moments of joy: a new grandbaby, a loving wife, the garden blooming, and small miracles in the therapy room. These reflect the joy that is mine because Christ lives in me.

Love is a powerful force. When love is given full reign in a life, things change. We get knowledge and insight, discernment, purity and the fruit of righteousness. And all this brings glory and praise to God. Love changes us. When we realize God’s love for us, we feel compelled to love others. His love changes our outlook on life and on other people. We end up loving people that we used to hate. This can be very difficult for some of us who are in the military. We have seen our enemies kill our friends and use small children to protect themselves. It can be hard to allow God’s love change us to the point that we love them. But this is one of the goals of love.

Paul came to see his imprisonment from love’s perspective. The Good News of Jesus came to people who needed to see love in action. High in the political structure there are those who don’t know what love is. They live their lives in power, but not in love. And Paul was put right in the middle of them by love. Some were preaching Jesus just to get Paul in more hot water, but Paul rejoiced that more people were hearing the message.

Paul knew that his death could be right around the corner and he faced that fact. He didn’t run for it. What he wanted was for Christ to be exalted by his life. It made no difference to Paul, life or death, since he had Jesus, nothing else mattered. Paul sees a positive outcome whether he lives or dies. Part of him wants to die and end the struggles. Part of him wants to stay and continue his fruitful ministry.

One sign that Paul gives that the Spirit is working in the Philippians’ lives is the fact of their suffering. In our culture that avoids suffering at all costs, this sounds crazy. How can suffering be a sign of God’s presence? How can someone suffer and be in the center God’s will? And yet this is exactly where Paul places the Philippian believers. We can be in the center of God’s plan for our lives and suffer.

Day 101.99

Philippians: Joys

Acrostic Theme: JOYS

Author: Paul

Date Written: 61-63 A.D.

Audience: Believers in the city of Philippi

Key Verse: 4:4

Outline:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-11)

I. THE SITUATION IN ROME (1:12-26)

   A. PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT AND OPPOSITION (1:12-18)

   B. PAUL'S EXPECTATION OF DELIVERANCE (1:19-26)

II. EXHORTATION TO BEHAVIOR WORTHY OF THE GOSPEL (1:27-2:18)

   A. STAND FAST IN ONE SPIRIT (1:27-30)

   B. BE OF ONE MIND BY FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST (2:1-11)

   C. SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD (2:12-18)

III. PLANS INVOLVING TIMOTHY AND EPAPHRODITUS (2:19-30)

   A. TO SEND TIMOTHY SOON (2:19-24)

   B. TO SEND EPAPHRODITUS AT ONCE (2:25-30)

IV. WARNINGS AGAINST JUDAISM AND ANTINOMIANISM (3:1-21)

   A. AGAINST JUDAISM (3:1-11)

   B. AGAINST ANTINOMIANISM (3:12-21)

V. EXHORTATIONS TO UNITY, JOY, AND PEACE (4:1-9)

   A. AN APPEAL TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE (4:1-3)

   B. EXHORTATION CONCERNING JOY AND PEACE (4:4-9)

VI. THANKSGIVING FOR THEIR GENEROSITY (4:10-19)

   A. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF JOY TO PAUL (10-14)

   B. THEIR GIFT A SOURCE OF BLESSING FOR THEMSELVES (15-19)

CONCLUSION (4:20-23)

(http://executableoutlines.com/phil/phil_00.htm)

Philippians

01. Joy of Christian fellowship

02. Outward evidences of humility

03. Yearning to know Christ

04. Sufficiency of God's provisions

Review: Luke

30Aug2010 Philippians 4:19

^19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Another famous verse that gets pulled out of context! The verse just before this verse talks about the generosity of the believers at Philippi. They have given and given to meet the needs of others. This is a necessary prerequisite to God meeting our needs. We must be willing to meet the needs of others. If we only look at ourselves, then God will have to teach us the lesson that it is not all about us. We are part of His Body. We must be willing to give to meet the needs of other parts of the Body. When we are giving, then God is able to pass wealth through us to meet the needs of others. If the wealth always stops at us, our priorities are messed up and the Lord will help get those priorities in line with His will. He will meet our need when our heart is in the right place. The Philippians knew what it was to give. That meant they had learned the lesson and the Lord was able to meet all their needs. They had learned the difference between want and need. That is a hard lesson. We have been raised in a culture that purposefully blurs that line between need and want. Capitalism is about blurring that line. Capitalism requires that we keep buying new things. The advertising tries to create a need from a want. We get told that we are entitled to something, that it is a right that can't be denied. We hear it every day in the news. Free healthcare is a right. A job that pays enough for all the luxuries I desire is a right. A retirement income is a right. Equality is a right. I would contend that these are all wants, not needs. Each would be nice to have, but in this sinful world, they will not exist. When someone else pays for your "right" then that is not fair. Each has a responsibility of their own. Paul had learned to be content, even when he did not get some of what we would call essentials in life. Paul had learned contentment. Isn't it time we learned this lesson too!

29Aug2010 Philippians 4:13

^13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

These are often quoted words, but the context makes their meaning very clear. They are not a statement about the power inherent in the believer that makes them able to leap tall buildings in a single bound. They are not a mantra to be cited when you want an obstacle to go away. The verses just before this verse talk about Paul's ability to live with abundance and with the extreme lack of resources. He was able to make it through each of these circumstances without losing his faith. His hunger did not mean he was failing as a believer. When he had lots of food, it did not mean he was more successful at his faith. Paul learned the lesson that the outward circumstances are not connected to his faith. Paul had learned contentment. Whatever the outward circumstance, Paul was OK with them. He had learned that the Lord would give him the strength to make it through every circumstance. To put it in our current context, if we live in a mansion or in a homeless shelter following our foreclosure, we can be content. The Lord will carry us through. He will give us the strength we need to make it through. Paul could have gotten on a pity party about some of his circumstance. He was shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, stoned and left for dead. (Stoned as in rocks were thrown at him in order to kill him, not stoned as in he spent too much time partying!) But Paul had learned to be content. His relationship with Jesus gave him the strength to make it through each and every circumstance. Are you willing to learn contentment? It will be a hard and long lesson, but the rewards will be great. You will get to experience God's strength in new ways.

26Aug2010 Philippians 3:13-14

^13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ^14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Here is Paul the Apostle talking about his spiritual journey. He says that he has not arrived. So many of us want to arrive at spiritual maturity, we want to finish our journey, because we want the struggles to stop. But the Christian life is about the journey. We will never arrive in this life. We will never be completely mature. We will always have some struggles in our life. Paul could have looked back at his past and stayed totally paralyzed in guilt for having killed Christians. It could have stopped him from moving forward. But instead, he considered it part of his past and he moved on to a new future. He says that he is straining toward the finish line. I love watching the slow motion videos of Olympic runners pushing toward the finish line, especially their push during the last few feet and inches. They are straining toward the prize. They want to arrive at the finish line ahead of everyone else. They want to break their own records. They are never satisfied until they are at the top, and even then they want to do better. This is the picture of Paul's push toward God's goal for his life. Are we pushing toward that goal, or are we on a downward, gentile slide toward heaven? Paul was pushing toward the goal. God has a purpose for our lives. It is part of His eternal purpose for each of us. He wants us to join Him in heaven. He wants to bless us with Garden of Eden blessings. But we must push past the failings of the past and move forward toward God's best. Are you straining in your walk with Christ? Are you pushing hard to draw in close to Him?

25Aug2010 Philippians 3:10-11

^10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ^11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Knowing Jesus is the most important relationship we can have in this life. It is also a relationship that secures our future life. This knowledge is also the first in a string of connected experiences. We know Him, then we can know the power of His resurrection. We like power! We want to know that kind of power. We don't necessarily like the suffering piece, which is next in Paul's thoughts. But the connection to His power and His suffering both come as a result of knowing Him. We don't mind being associated with such a shameful act like crucifixion. Remember, crucifixion was the worst punishment available during the Roman period. Your death was a public event. It entailed unimaginable pain and suffering. Your suffering served as a lesson to other would-be law breakers of the power of Rome to impose its will. You did not want to be associated with someone who was crucified. It was a symbol of defeat and humiliation. And yet Paul did not mind being associated with Jesus' death. There was a fellowship in that connection. When Paul suffered the things he did at the hands of his enemies, he could sense a connection to Jesus. This connection would continue all the way through the resurrection from the dead. Because Paul knew Jesus, he was willing to experience His power and His weakness, His resurrection and His sufferings. He was willing to yield his will to the will of God, even if it meant suffering as Jesus suffered. Are you willing to yield to God's will to this extent?

24Aug2010 Philippians 3:7-8

^7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ^8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.

Some people have a hidden list of their accomplishments. Some have them visibly displayed for all to see. Paul certainly had a list to boast about. He had every qualification that a religious Jew of his day could get. He even had some, like his birth heritage, that you could not even get, unless you were born into it. He had the right to boast from an earthly perspective. And yet he considers it all trash. None of that was important to him. None of it even mattered. Often people gain a better perspective on life after a close brush with death. That close brush can bring a perspective to all our activities. We have a tendency to prioritize our activities, rather than just going along with what others might say. Paul considered it all loss because he now knew the surpassing greatness of knowing Jesus. That personal knowledge of Christ changed his life. And it can change ours. Notice that is it not some fact that Paul came to know. He didn't purchase a book or go to a seminar. He had a personal encounter with the risen Jesus. That is what changed his life. And that is what will change ours. When we get to know Him, everything else in life just doesn't seem so important any more. God's perspective on life will change us, if we let it. It is as though we had lived in a cave all our lives, fumbling around trying to figure out where we were. And then all of a sudden a shaft of light is opened and fresh air and light flood our world. If we open our eyes and accept the new reality life will change. Are you ready to have your world changed?

21Aug2010 Philippians 1:29

^29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him,

Suffering is a gift. God wants to use both the easy and the difficult times as blessings in our lives. Everything that happens in our lives can be viewed from God's perspective as something positive. This lesson is almost impossible to learn in the big crisis of life. It must be learned in the small bumps before we get to the brick wall. We can prepare ourselves for the inevitable difficult suffering by learning to see the small difficulties as opportunities to draw in close to the Lord. If we learn to draw in close now, when the trials are small, then we will have learned that His strength will see us through any trial that might come our way. Paul had learned this over many years of suffering. He viewed his suffering this way, perhaps because he spent several years killing believers before he became a believer himself. I think he might have thought it was fair that he suffer. Part of the message when he did become a believer was that he would suffer for His name sake. When I go through my sufferings, I want people to look at the God who carries me through, not at the injustice of the suffering, or the pain I am enduring. I want them to see Christ. How about you? Do you want people to see you, or to see Jesus?

20Aug2010 Philippians 1:12

^12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Paul is sitting in prison as he writes these words. How can being in prison serve to advance of the gospel? That is exactly what Paul is claiming, and his proof is the conversion of some of the guards. They have heard the gospel. Just because Paul is in prison does not mean that his mouth is imprisoned. Would we be bold if we were in prison for being bold? My tendency would be to keep my mouth shut, so as not to make the guards mad, so I could get out early for good behavior! Paul's concern is not for himself, but for them. He cares about their eternity. He cares so much he is willing to preach to them while he is in prison. I can imagine the guards drawing straws to see who was going to be on "preacher" duty that shift. They all knew where Paul stood, and the reasons he was in prison. There was no doubt about what he believed. And he was able to live a life of consistency in front of the guards. He was consistent in his outlook and attitude. Are you consistent in your outlook and attitude? Or does your life rollercoaster from one day to the next? If someone were chained to you day and night, what would they learn about your character and about the God that you serve? Would they see Him, or would they see a disgruntled you? There are moments in my days that I don't want others observing. I don't even like to see them myself. I get embarrassed when I think about my own selfishness and lack of insight. I know I do live a life worthy of the price Christ paid. Thank you, Jesus, for your grace. You cover my shortcomings and make me into more than I could ever be on my own. Continue your work in me. I give you free reign in my life. Do with me what you will. Amen.

19Aug2010 Philippians 1:6

^6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Paul has confidence in the Lord that He will not stop halfway in His work. He will continue to work in and through us to accomplish His purpose. We often get discouraged in life, running out of steam partway through a project. At least I do. I have a painting sitting in my bonus room that I have been working on for about sic weeks, little by little. It can get easy to say, "Not tonight," and leave the brushes in the box. It is hard to see the final project complete when there are so many little details yet to be completed. And all the details can't be completed in a single day. This is especially true, since I am just learning to paint with Acrylic paint. I am getting the knack, but some sections of the painting have been touched up multiple times, to which my wife will attest. The Lord sees the end of a project and He completes it. We are one of those projects. If we allow Him to work, He will complete His work in us. His timeline for the project includes the test periods. He knows that our faith needs to be exercised and He allows those times of testing to give us the opportunity for have faith, to trust Him. They are all part of the process. The end product is more than a static state of completion. The product is also the process by which we get to the end.

5July2009 Philippians 4:7

^7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

One of the benefits of being a Jesus-follower is that we can experience a peace that actively keeps us safe from ourselves. One of my greatest struggles, and one of the struggles I find as I talk with so many other people, is our own thought life. We allow our minds to get so filled with the concerns of the day that we forget that God has things in control. Our minds start down the negative path so fast that we spend the day worrying about every possible negative contingency. Our lives fill with concern. We get ulcers and high blood pressure. All this happens because our minds move us away from the God who has all things under His care. This verse tells us that the peace of God will work in our lives to eliminate this negative cycle. But what is the peace of God? This is the peace that God Himself experiences. This peace is the peace he has when He looks into the future. Do you think He is worried about the financial markets or the political turmoil in the world? Does he lose sleep over these things? We can experience for ourselves God's peace. In fact, the Lord wants us to share in His peace. He doesn't want us consumed by cares and concerns, so He offers us something unique to Himself. We get to share in His peace. And when we do that, our hearts and our minds don't descend into despair and chaos. God's peace acts as security force around our heart and mind. Anything that would interrupt our experiencing peace is kept at bay. God's peace pushes all those negatives aside leaving no room for their return, as long as peace stays present. Where God's peace exists there is no room for the other things. So if you are consumed by cares and concerns, allow God's peace to act as a doorkeeper on your heart and mind. Draw in close to the Lord and let His peace invade the dark corners of your heart. Allow that peace to push out the rabbit trails of your mind. We do that by putting our mind on God's things. The next two verses spell these things out. Take time to look them up and read them. Memorize these verses and keep your mind focused. Then God's peace will do its job in your heart.

29June2009 Philippians 1:27a

^27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

One of the things we value as Americans is citizenship. People flock from all over the world trying to become citizens of the United States. That is because there is privilege and prestige connected with citizenship. This verse says we are to conduct ourselves in a certain manner. We are citizens of heaven, of God's Kingdom, and we should act like it. Our lives should reflect His presence in our daily activities. We should be different than non-believers. We should not "fit in" with the values, actions and character of those who are not believers. That does not mean that there are not some 'moral people' in the world. But morality is not enough. Our lives should reflect the character of God. When people see us, they should see that we are different, that we are shining forth the Love of God. Our lives become the message they read. What does your message contain that is not part of His message? Does your impatience and judgmental attitude reflect well on God's patience and longsuffering? This is an area that is a struggle for me. I freely admit it. I need to yield and allow the Lord to transform me. I do look down on the driving ability of others. And there are other areas that are objects of my superior attitude. So, what am I to do with this struggle? I must yield. I must submit to His call to recognize my heavenly citizenship and begin to live it out in my daily activities. How are you doing in demonstrating that you are a citizen of heaven? How does being a citizen of heaven show to those around you?

26Jun2008 Phil 4:11

^11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

The economy of the United States is built on discontentment. If we were content we would all be driving very old cars and ironing our clothes. But the root of capitalism is discontentment. There is an endless stream on "new and improved" that gets paraded before our eyes and ears. The enticement to be the first one to own the newest cell phone with the best gizmo, shinny bling-bling is too much for many people. Their lives lack real substance so they are driven to consume for consumption sake. There is no real need for the newest cell phone; the old one made and received calls. This inner desire for more and newer is discontentment. Every advertisement is designed to spark this in as many viewers as possible. The more discontentment, the more sales. And from God's perspective discontentment is just as bad for a Jesus-follower as any other sin. The Apostle Paul had been through every kind of struggle and yet he learned to be content. Learning to be content is a process. Some of it involves controlling where our thoughts drift. Some of that learning involves saying no to the moment. We don't have to purchase in the moment. We can wait. And in the waiting, the postponing of the impulse we learn contentment. I have to not look at computer magazines. When I do, I have to fight the urge to purchase a newer, faster machine. I can rationalize the need for speed. I do, after all, process lots of video for use in ministry! And right now it takes a long time because I have an old computer. But in the middle of that battle I have to introduce a greater eternal concern. I think about the individuals around the world who are being helped by my giving. The girls who are being rescued from prostitution, the education, meals and clothing given in Jesus' name, the missionary kids who are being educated, the orphans being raised with the love and care of Jesus-followers, and the churches being started. When I choose to think about these needs, my new computer fades into the background. I can make it with what I have. I choose to be content. How about you? What eternity filled thoughts and goals do you throw up to block the discontentment in your mind? If you don't have any, find some. Become content.

25Jun2008 Phil 4:8

^8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

We have the responsibility to reign in our thoughts. We cannot always stop a thought from entering our minds, but we can determine how long we spend chewing that thought. This is one of the key things Jesus-followers need to learn and master. Our thought world is one that must be brought into submission to the Spirit's presence. But we have gotten in the habit of letting our thoughts run, even take over our lives. This could be thoughts of hopelessness or thoughts of envy. When we follow our thoughts rather than reigning in our thoughts we get in trouble. We can use our thought life to better serve God, but that means we must take control of our thoughts so that we run our thoughts rather than our thoughts running us. I bet you can think of a time when your thoughts ran you down a road you really did not want to travel. Perhaps circumstances were such that you thought you were going to get into a financial bind, or that the bill collectors were going to start their seemingly never ending cycle of calling. The more you thought about that, the more depressed, angry and fearful you became. All this because of thoughts! But you had a choice to make very early in that cycle. You could focus your thoughts on the hopelessness of the circumstance or on the faithfulness of God. You had the choice what to think about. When the negative popped in you could switch to thinking about Christ's provision. You don't have to follow the thoughts. You can change channels. The discipline arises when the negative pops back in, which will inevitably happen. At that moment we need to choose to switch back to ETN, Eternal Truth Network. We can go to the Scriptures and soak ourselves in the truth of God. We have a choice. What choice are you going to make when the popup worry window enters your mind? Memorizing Scripture is like a popup blocker for the internet of your mind. The more your mind is filled with Scripture and His Truth, the less space there is for those negative thoughts. Scripture is the spam filter of your thoughts. Install it today!

24Jun2008 Phil 2:20

^20 I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.

What we need in life is a really good friend. Most of what makes counseling and therapy work is the relationship with a caring, connected person. We need someone who will listen to us and connect with us. We need to feel that they truly understand what we are feeling in a way that resonates with the deepest part of us. We need that connection. It is not enough to feel connected to God, we need to feel connected to other people. We need to feel God in flesh. That is also what makes a good pastor. When they get up to speak, they speak in a way that connects to where we are living, to our everyday lives, to our struggles and heartaches. When the eternal Word is made relevant to our real lives; that is what we want in a preacher. But we also want a pastor who is congruent, who is the same behind the pulpit as he is behind the dinner table. We want someone who struggles like us. We already have a Savior, we don't need another one. We want someone who will tell it like it is when we are acting stupidly. We need straight talk when we are messing up. We need a 'high five' when things are going well. These characteristics are not just good for pastors, but also for friends. I think we too often withdraw from a friendship rather than confront. But if we are going to have a genuine interest in a friend's welfare, we must be willing to lovingly confront and be lovingly confronted. If we genuinely care, we will speak up when someone is headed for a train wreck. This is also what makes a good spouse, employer, employee, business partner, and even politician. That is what I have found in my spouse and I hope that is what I provide for her. My children say I have been that way with them. My congregations have thanked me for being real with them. My job evaluations have said as much. But none of these really matters. What matters is God's evaluation. I am still working so that one day I will hear "well done." How about you?