don't quit

Pressing On {Philippians 3: 12-17}

12:00 AM

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:12-17


I don't think there is a believer alive today that has suffered for the gospel an much as Paul did two thousand years ago. I believe I would have been inclined to give up and turn back had I had to face even a small amount of all Paul faced in his lifetime; which is why his words here to the Philippian church  inspire me:

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:12-14)

The definition to persevere is to keep on, keep going, not give up, struggle on, hammer away, be persistent, be determined, see/follow something through, keep at it, show determination, press on/ahead, stay with something, not take no for an answer, be tenacious, be pertinacious, be patient, stand one's ground, stand fast/firm, hold on, hold out, go the distance, stay the course, plod on, plow on, grind away, stop at nothing,

 What made Paul continue to persevere when most would have given up? I think finding the answer to this question will also help us to keep going the next time we're tempted to quit.  Notice what Paul says, "...I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"

 Paul set a goal before him! Have you set a goal or goals for your life?
A life without any goals I believe would be like a ship without sails, a compass or map; just drifting aimlessly through life hoping to achieve something that would make your life worth living. Notice that not only had the apostle Paul set a goal, but he kept that goal constantly before him! He was pressing toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus! 
I think it is safe to say that by setting a goal(s), we are making a decision to ACT. Our goal could be to be the best wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, teacher, nurse, doctor, etc. 

 I remember discovering my son had a learning disability in school and as time went on, he grew further behind his peers in reading, and he didn't seem to be receiving the help he needed to succeed! 
I made a decision then that I needed to do all I could to get him the help he needed! That was my goal! Only, I'm not a very good confrontational person. In fact, I HATE confrontation and it turned out that I had to attend meeting after meeting after meeting until I went all the way up to board of education in our city; in front of the news media and everyone before I finally received what I was seeking!! 
There were plenty of times I wanted to give up. More times than I can count when I cried out to The Lord to simply intervene! It was not only the goal, however, that kept me going, but the consequences that could have possibly happen if I failed. With God's help I reached my goal and my son received the help he needed, and not only my son, but others as well, and today my son is extremely successful at all he does. To God goes the glory! 
One truth I learned during that time was that a goal is not merely a dream, wish etc. It's so much more than that! It's not, "Oh, I wish I could" or "I hope I can" it's declaring all we want to achieve for the Lord! It's a declaration of faith that cannot fail! 
What do you plan to achieve for God, your family and yourself? Declare it! Commit it to Him and go....girl ! All for His glory! 


brokenness

Not I but Christ in Me {Philippians 2:1-11]

12:00 AM

~ Philippians 2:1-11

 "Have this same mindset among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus."- (Philippians 2:5).

What immediately comes to you mind when you think of revival?


 According to Roy Hession, “Revival is just the life of the Lord Jesus poured into human hearts.” BUT “The Lord Jesus cannot live in us fully and reveal Himself through us until the proud self within us is broken."
“To be broken means to have no rights before God and man. It does not mean merely surrendering my rights to Him but rather recognizing that I haven't any, except to deserve hell. It means just being nothing and having nothing that I call my own, neither time, money, possessions nor position.” ― Roy Hession, The Calvary Road

The perfect example of all of this is found in the life of  Peter. The night of Jesus arrest Peter expressed his desire to be arrested and and even die for Jesus, yet Jesus knew better and told Peter that instead that night he would deny Jesus three times,

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”  Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” (Luke 22:34-35)
We all know that Peter wasn’t ready at that moment (Luke 22:54-62), but notice what happens later on,

And Peter directed his gaze at the beggar, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.  But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.  And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.(Acts 3:4-8)

Peter, no longer fearful of what others might think or do to him, begins boldly addressing all those in the temple that day and immediately:

"... as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,  greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.  And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.” (Acts 4:1-4)


The contrast between Peter on the day of Jesus’ arrest and this day is amazing! Peter is no longer concerned about what others will think, say or do. He stands boldly in the Temple courts and proclaims the gospel and look what happens! Yes, he is arrested, but many who heard him put their faith in Christ. 

I desire to make a difference for Christ Jesus, just as Peter did that night of Jesus' arrest, but Peter was still full of himself that night. Peter needed Jesus to come take over just like the rest of us do. I believe all of us who know and love the Lord, Jesus desire to make an impact in this world for Him, but how many of us will truly surrender our will and rights? I know I personally battle with surrendering all the time!

 There's so much I'd like to say, but I truly believe Mr. Hession's has said it best in his book, The Calvary Road:

If, however, we are to come into this right relationship with Him, the first thing we must learn is that our wills must be broken to His will. To be broken is the beginning of Revival. It is painful, it is humiliating, but it is the only way. It is being "Not I, but Christ" (Gal. 2:20), and a "C" is a bent "I." The Lord Jesus cannot live in us fully and reveal Himself through us until the proud self within us is broken. This simply means that the hard unyielding self, which justifies itself, wants its own way, stands up for its rights, and seeks its own glory, at last bows its head to God’s will, admits its wrong, gives up its own way to Jesus, surrenders its rights and discards its own glory that the Lord Jesus might have all and be all. In other words it is dying to self and self-attitudes.

If you'd like to read more from The Calvary Road you can click on this link , or pick up a copy of the book. It's another book that I don't like to lay down for long.

Blessings,
sue

anxiety

The Best Defense for Anxiety! {Philippians 4:4-9}

8:00 PM


Reading for Wednesday, January 16th ~ Philippians 4:4-9

Don’t be anxious! Is that really humanly possible?
Notice what this article had to say:

When you’re overwhelmed by heart-pounding panic, paralyzed by fear, or exhausted from yet another sleepless night spent worrying, you’ll do just about anything to get relief.
More than one in five American adults took medications for psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression in 2010, according to new research by Medco Health Solutions, Inc. Titled America's State of Mind ...
The analysis revealed that 20 percent of all adults took at least one drug to treat a psychiatric condition, while among women that number rose to 25 percent—or one in four—reporting having taken such drugs.*

I think we can all agree anxiety is a real problem among, not only women, but society in general. I also believe anxiety can sometimes be a physical condition and not just a spiritual one. I’ve read recently that diet and exercise can affect our anxiety levels; good or bad. Most councilors will tell you, that if you’re dealing with anxiety issues on an ongoing basis it’s best to see a doctor to make sure there isn’t a physical problem, and then you can deal with the spiritual.  

 I personally haven’t dealt with panic attacks as some have, but I believe all of us deal with different levels of anxieties at some times in our lives, and because of that, I believe God's solutions are found in His word like here in Philippians 4:4-9.

 The most popular verses being Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the opposite of anxiety/ fear/ worry/ doubts; whichever term you choose.

 Faith is complete, blind trust and obedience.  Faith doesn’t understand everything – but it's doing it anyway because you trust God and His perfect care and guidance!

AND faith requires humility. It requires us to admit we don’t have all the answers or the abilities we need, but we know the One who does. Anxieties can flair up when we’re trying to do it all on our own. Therefore the first step is admitting we need help! (Look back at Phil 4:6-7)

 This can be hard because it may cause us to feel weak in an area where others may appear to be strong. There is always going to be the temptation to keep pushing and hope the anxiety goes away on its own.

Which can bring on other coping mechanisms, however. 

Some may try to alleviate stress by snacking constantly on junk food. Some drink wine or other alcoholic beverages to take the edge off. Others may try to find solace in television, books or social media. BUT none of these are healthy ways of dealing with stress and anxiety and can actually end up doing more harm than good.

PRAYER through faith is our answer. 

 We need to turn our anxious thoughts and worries into prayer; which requires developing a conditioned reflex, like when we touch something hot our brain  immediately tells us to pull back. We need to recognize what's happening immediately and turn it completely over to God and His word promises that, " the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will mount guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

No other stress relievers needed.

But also notice the very next thing Paul tells us to do just after he tells us to give it up to God in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”

Paul is pointing out the fact that what we fill our minds with has a profound effect on our spiritual and mental state of being.

We need to remember that we live in a world at war. While God wants us to succeed and flourish, there is another who would love nothing better than to see us struggle and fail. He will come and whisper in your ear lies about your identity, your self-worth, your status before God, your past, your future, your hope; anything that will help him succeed in keeping you stressed, anxious and feeling like a failure. We not only need to recognize these for the lies they are, but combat them with God’s truth.

If you are walking through a valley of anxiety right now, there's hope! Give it all up, and keep turning it over to the One who is able to give you victory over whatever is causing your stress at the moment and fill your mind on the truths found in His word.

I hope you'll also remember this may be an on going battle which may not be won immediately, but He has given us our weapons of warfare and one another to help eventually gain the victory over our fears! If you're ready to fight, we're here to help! Please let us know how we can be praying for you over at Women in the Word!

Blessings!
sue

* https://www.anxiety.org/antianxiety-medication-use-soars-in-past-decade

Paul

Self Image - I Must Decrease {Phil 3}

8:30 PM


Reading for Wednesday, January 9th ~ Philippians 3

Today’s beauty and fashion industries are promoting a truly impossible standard for feminine beauty. Just today I read about a set of twin teenage models that were both in the ICU suffering from a severe case of anorexia because the modeling agency ordered them to loose more weight so that their cheekbones would show.

Unfortunately, in order to combat the problem of insecurity among women who fail to look like the models in the magazines, society is racing to the other extreme; teaching our young girls to “love themselves” regardless of what society might think.  The idea being that if women can learn to “feel good about themselves” regardless of their appearance or personal failures, they won’t wallow in self-condemnation.

But learning how to love, or feel good about ourselves is not the solution to overcoming insecurity. I know it’s important for us to understand how precious we are in God’s sight – He so loved us that He gave His only Son to rescue us. But when we make “feeling good about ourselves” a focal point, we immediately take our eyes off Christ and we become our focus. And our world suddenly revolves around us!

I believe Paul got it right in Philippians 3. Our confidence shouldn’t lie in ourselves - but in Christ only (Philippians 3:3). In fact, Paul goes on to say that he counts all that he was and all his accomplishments “as rubbish” compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8).

Jesus does not mince words on this point either when He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Lk. 9:23) and “He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37). Remember that to “deny ourselves” according to the biblical pattern literally means to lose sight of ourselves and our own interests.

It may seem hard to believe that self-denial, rather than self-esteem, can actually be the solution to our insecurities. But when we let ‘self’ take a backseat and allow Jesus Christ to take over, our personal insecurities will melt away.

I know because I came to Christ as a very insecure young wife and mom, who had come from a long line of insecure people. I was painfully shy, but the more I grew to understand the Scriptures, the better I could to see this shyness, I sheepishly thought of as humility, was actually a form of bondage that Christ and His truth could free me from.

 It didn’t happen over night; it’s been evolving over years. It’s scary and freeing all at the same time, but the more steps of faith taken... the more freedom I've felt, and the greater the desire to be all Christ Jesus has called me out to be!

Ian Thomas wrote, “The Christian life can be explained only in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you – your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything – then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it.”

That’s quite a statement, don’t you think? I also liked what Charles Spurgeon said, “If a soul has any beauty, it is because Christ has endowed that soul with His own, for in ourselves we are deformed and defiled! There is no beauty in any of us but what our Lord has worked in us."
 
Don’t you just love that? It’s not about us, but about Christ in us. There is freedom in that truth!

John the Baptist got it right when he declared, “I must decrease, but He must increase" (Jn. 3:30). The beauty of Jesus Christ will only come shining through our lives when ‘self’ gets out of the way.


baton

Passing the Baton {Hebrew 12-13}

12:00 AM



Both my husband and son ran track in high school, and I’ve always loved to watch them run! I especially loved watching the relay races at the end of the meets, when each team would take the top four runners to compete. This was a team effort and not so much an individual one, for even then, the fastest runners weren’t guaranteed a victory if one failed to pass off the baton correctly.

As much as I love track, I never noticed that chapters 11 and 12 in the book of Hebrews was likened to a relay where one generation is passing the baton to the next. Notice,

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. — Hebrews 12:1-2
There are 3 Keys to running a great race found in these two verses!
1.) We get our start in the race of life by remembering that we’re not alone:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…” -Hebrews 12:1a

Does it comfort you to know we’re not the only ones to take this journey? Others have traveled this way before, as Hebrews 11 talks about. Their example gives us encouragement, but what really encourages me is to know that not one of those named in the “hall of faith” ran a perfect race, and neither will we.

We'll find runners today in our local churches that we’re meant to take this journey with, and we’re much stronger when we do, for seeing such courageous examples around us can give us the courage we need to charge ahead. Paul knew that when he wrote to the church in Corinth,

“For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.” -1 Corinthians 4:17

We may also be called upon to be that "Timothy" in other's lives!

2.) The second key is to “… let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” - Hebrews 12:1b

Runners today wear as light of clothing as possible. I know my boys wouldn’t even wear socks in their running shoes and one of the runners on my son’s team didn’t even like to wear shoes!

Our race isn’t much different. We can’t run very well if we’re carrying lots of baggage. Those things that seem so satisfying in the moment can take our eyes off the prize. It’s best to let go of all the excess baggage as we set off, or as soon as you realize you’re carrying it along!

Jesus told us in John 14, “If you love Me you’ll keep My commands…” knowing He didn’t give us those commands to trap us, but to free us to run a great race. Which brings us to our third and final key found in these verses

3.) Look to Jesus,  
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:2

We may glance at the witnesses around us at time and be careful to get rid of the things that weigh us down, but the best encouragement is in the prize that’s waiting for all of us who choose this journey (race).

Paul also wrote about this journey, and the prize that is waiting for all those who choose this course, to the Philippian church. In it, he shared his greatest desire which also happens to be my life verse, “My determined purpose is this, that I may know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him even in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” -Philippians 3:10–11

The great news for us today is, it doesn’t matter where you are, or how far along you are in your race, you can start right where you are! Notice,

 Brothers and sisters, 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,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (emphasis mine)

Does it comfort you to know that even at this time in Paul’s life he was still pressing forward to gain the prize? It does me.  As each of us run and keep our eyes on Jesus, God will continue His works in us, making us more and more like His Son; until He bring us to our long-awaited reward.

My prayer for you today is:
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you] what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. — Hebrews 13:20-21

Blessings! 
sue



Goals

Keeping Your Eyes On The Prize {Phil. 3:1-4:23}

9:24 PM




The church in the city of Philippi was a constant source of support for Paul. And in this letter to the Philippians, written from a Roman prison, he not only thanks the people for their help, he also encourages them to come together in unity, guard their hearts and minds, and never become complacent in their relationship with God. A goal Paul Himself never stopped striving to achieve. Even with his many credentials and accomplishments, Paul remained passionate about growing in his relationship with the Lord and becoming a reflection of Jesus to the world around him; always keeping his eyes focused on God’s promise of eternal life to all believers. And following in  Paul’s footsteps, we too should aim for a goal of a deeper bond with God and becoming more Christlike in all we do.

In speaking of his goal Paul says, “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and teaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (vs. 3:12-14) In these words, Paul gives us some wisdom on how, like him, we can achieve the goal of becoming who God wants us to be.

Practice Humility- Paul was the first to admit that he was far from perfect. And even with all of the great things he did for God’s kingdom and as far as he had come, he was humble enough to know that he wasn’t yet where God intended him to be. It’s when we arrogantly believe that we’ve already arrived that we become complacent in our relationship with Him. For as Proverbs 18:12 reminds us, “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.”

Be Diligent- We all have times when we feel like we just can’t take one more step. I’m sure, being persecuted and imprisoned, Paul had a few of those moments himself. Yet instead of giving up he pressed on, trusting God to carry him through his weakness. When we too are feeling weary and down trodden, God promises that when we are abiding in His will He will supply the strength we need to move forward in achieving our goal. In Deuteronomy 31:8 He declares. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” 

Forget The Past-Paul gave no mind to his victories, lest he grew proud, nor to his defeats, lest he grew bitter. He understood that dwelling in the past can keep us either stuck in perpetual guilt from our mistakes, or stuck in nostalgia for days gone by; both preventing us from “reaching forward to what lies ahead”.  We, like Paul, need to realize the value of letting go to get ahead. For as he says in verse 3:8, “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish.” 

Keep Your Eyes On The Prize-Paul loved Jesus, and the one thing that kept him going through every circumstance and hardship was knowing that one day he would dwell with Jesus for eternity. The joy of that prize kept him determined to reach his goal of knowing and becoming like the Lord. Because Paul trusted God to fulfill every promise, he knew that nothing he suffered for the Lord was in vain. And so it is with us. When we keep our eyes fixed on the prize of an eternity with Jesus, we can find victory in obtaining our goal. We serve a faithful God and are encouraged by the author of Hebrews to , “hold fast the confession of our hope for he who promised is faithful.”

When it comes to reaching our goals, there is no better example to be found then Paul. The steps he took, he did so confidently knowing they would lead him to receiving the “resurrection of the dead”, resulting in rising with Christ and sharing in His glory. And such a prize surpassed any earthly hurt or suffering. So be like Paul who encourages us to, “join in following my example and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.” (vs. 3:17) Set heavenly goals, step out in faith, and keep your eyes on the prize!




Faith

Scripture Saturday~Righteousness

12:00 AM

Saturday, November 24, 2018



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Philippians 3:8,9...

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (NIV)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

give thanks

Thanksgiving

10:47 AM

Jean Smith told me her story. She was in her mid-sixties. She came from Cwmbran in Wales. She had been blind for sixteen years. She had a white stick, and a guide dog named Tina. An infection had eaten away at the retinas and mirrors behind her eyes – they could not be replaced. She was in constant pain.
Jean went on a local Alpha Course. They had a day away to focus on the work of the Holy Spirit. During this time, the pain left. She went to church the following Sunday to thank God. The minister anointed her with oil. As she wiped the oil away she could see the communion table. God had miraculously healed Jean.
She had not seen her husband for sixteen years. She was surprised at how white his beard was! Jean had never even seen her daughter-in-law before. Her six-and-a-half-year-old grandson used to guide her around the puddles to avoid her getting her feet wet.
He said to her, ‘Who done that Gran?’
She replied, ‘Jesus made me better.’
‘I hope you said thank you, Gran.’
‘I will never stop saying thank you,’ she answered.
Yesterday I read Paul’s encouragement: ‘In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God’ (Philippians 4:6). Today we see him putting his own instructions into practice. Like Jean, Paul was also constantly giving thanks to God.
Praise is giving glory to God for who he is. Thanksgiving is giving glory to God for what he has done for us. It is the lens through which to view our entire life. Ultimately, as we see in today’s passages, the world can be divided into two categories: those who acknowledge God and give thanks to him, and those who don’t.
Blessings,
Roxanna

contentment

Paul's Keys to Contentment {Philipppians 4}

12:00 AM

Just how content are you? Do you find yourself mostly critical and complaining, or thankful for all you have? Do you find your contentment varies depending on your circumstances, or is your contentment unwavering no matter what circumstances you find yourself in?

I’ll confess, I tend to allow my circumstances to dictate my contentment levels at any particular moment; which is why once I learned the conditions in which Paul was in when he penned this letter, I paid closer attention to his words. 

 You see, the Book of Philippians is primarily a thank you letter to the church at Philippi for past gifts Paul had received from them, but it’s where he is writing from that truly caught my attention. Paul had been falsely accused and imprisoned; chained to an Imperial Guard 24/7 when he exhorts his readers to, “Rejoice in the Lord always!” (4:4). He goes on later in the chapter to admit, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Would you like to know Paul’s secret? Let’s see if we can find his keys to contentment hidden in this chapter.

Our first clue comes from the word itself! Contentment means being satisfied with what God has given you. It comes from an old English word containment, which refers to somebody who is self-contained. This means, his happiness doesn’t depend on his outward circumstances; Paul has learned to look to his inner resources to find contentment. For Christians, that inner resource is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Contentment is also our basis for our happiness in life; therefore just how can we find happiness in any and all situation, even- prison?

The first key to contentment Paul mentioned previously in Philippians 3:7–8, “Whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” In other words we need the proper value system. Which means, we must start to value what God values. Often times our problem with discontentment is we tend to place a high value and pursue  things that are temporal rather than that which is eternal. Think about the things you are currently striving for right now. Are they temporary or are they eternal? Are they things you’ll have to leave behind, or are you investing in our eternal future? Paul got it right? He put no value in all he had attained in his life, his only concern was what God valued.
Jesus told us that what God values most is that we love Him with all of our heart and love others as yourself.

The second key: trust in God’s sovereign plan for your life and stop worrying, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (4:6-7)
Psalms reminds us that every part of our physical being was planned before we drew our first breath. (Ps 139) And not only that, all of our days were written in God’s Book of Life before we lived the first one. (Jer 1:4-5) He has our life all planned out. (Eph 2:10) God has a unique plan for every part of your life and we know He can be trusted. We will find contentment when we begin to trust that God has a plan for us and He will accomplish His plan for your life.

The third key: choose to accentuate the positives. We need to focus on, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.” Phil 4:8-9 When we’re wringing our hands and dwelling on negative things, we’ve got to know those thoughts are not of God. Rebuke those thoughts and strive to be filled with His peace once more.

The fourth key: Be grateful and keep giving thanks!  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near.” (Phil 4:8-9) Learn to be grateful for what God has given you. Did you know that it’s impossible to be grateful and discontent at the same time?

All of this is not only achievable, but easy when we remember the definition of contentment and turn our focus away from the circumstances around us to the source within us!



Confidence

Confidence {Philippians 3}

12:30 AM

By Lisa Thayer

I love how Paul begins this chapter with all his credentials.  He lists his upbringing, his nationality, his family background, inheritance, orthodoxy, activity and morality.  Paul was someone others looked up to.  However, his conversion (Acts 9) was not based on what he had done, but on God’s grace.  Even the most impressive credentials fall short of God’s holy standard.  No one can add anything to Christ’s offer of salvation by grace through faith.  What a believer does is a result of faith, not a prerequisite of faith.

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Last week I shared with you about my ‘rut season.’  While in my rut, I was reflecting on things from the past and it challenged me to become better.  I have longed for unity for a long time.  Only the unity I was desiring was for others to be unified with me.  Pride was leading me for a long time and I had some expectations of other people and it only left me disappointed.

But, God is so generous and He showed me that my desire for unity was His!  To be unified with Him.  I’ll tell you that since realizing this truth, I just want to share this grace with anyone.  Just like Paul, everything else is just garbage.  My possessions, my education, my home, my job.  “I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, because like him in his death, and so somehow attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”  (v. 10-11)

God wants us to embrace the life He has prepared for us, not resist it, not just tolerate it, not just endure it.  Embrace it!

How can we embrace this life?  By relinquishing our own lives to Him.  I certainly had different ideas for how things would work out.  I’ve thought that each of my children would be a bit different.  I thought that my home life would be different as well as my vocation.  We have to practice, or better yet, exercise our faith every day, by reaching forward – not behind – by reaching forward and walking in faith.

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So many people are not much different from year to year.  They stay entrapped by sin, they remain in bondage, more guilty and more fearful.  But I can testify that God’s grace is enough!  I may have been caught off guard by the changes in my life, but God’s grace is enough.  Nothing that has happened in this season of my rut has caught God off guard.  He’s even known about how painful it has been.  But you cannot go anywhere without God’s goodness and mercy and grace following you everywhere you go.  I have found that anything that causes me to need the Lord, anything that presses me closer to His heart, is a blessing.  Anything that makes us more conformed to the image of Jesus is a blessing.  And if Jesus learned obedience through the things which He suffered, do you think we can become like Jesus – become obedient servants and children of the Lord – without suffering?!?

There are no shortcuts as we embrace the cross.  We may have to endure the fire, but Christ will be there with us and He will bring us out without a hair being singed.  He will deliver us in His way and His time.

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God

A Lesson In Humility {Philippians 2}

12:00 AM

A Lesson In Humility  { Philippians 2 }


When the believers in the Macedonian city of Philippi heard of Paul's imprisonment in Rome, they sent him financial gifts. In response Paul wrote this beautiful letter not only to thank them, but to give an update on his circumstances, to encourage them to stand firm in the face of persecution, to commend both Timothy and Epaphroditus, to warn them of the danger of legalism, and in this chapter to stress the importance of unity and humility.

Paul begins by asking the Philippians to, "make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (v. 2) The Gospel is all inclusive. God loves each of us equally. No one member of the church is more important than the next. And as members of the body of Christ, it's important that we put ourselves aside and strive to meet the same goal in love, joy, and unity. That goal being to advance God's kingdom on earth. 

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves" (v. 3) We all love a little pat on the back along with acknowledgement and appreciation. But when our own desires become our main focus, no longer are we working for God. Instead we're working for the pleasing of our own egos. And that goes against who Jesus is and what He teaches. For as He says in Mark 10:43-45' "..whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Imagine that. Jesus who was fully God willingly gave up the privileges of deity and, "emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in the appearance of man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (vs. 7-8)  Jesus lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a humiliating, excruciatingly painful death nailed to a Cross. He willingly became our substitute for sin, paying the debt that we owed. All in accordance to the will of God and out of love for us. 

God always richly rewards obedience and because of the obedience of Jesus and His sacrifice, God exalted Him giving Christ a name above every other. A name greater than anything or anyone. A name at which "every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (vs 10-11)  Jesus is the perfect example of humility. And following His example means doing all that God asks of us cheerfully, without "grumbling or disputing." Shining as lights in a dark and wicked world. Becoming ambassadors of Christ making sure that our words and actions reflect the honor and humility of our Savior.

Paul ends with a plea fitting for not only the Philippians, but for all believers. Stay strong, keep doing good, hold fast to Jesus, and on the day of Christ's return I shall stand proud knowing that all I did and all I went through wasn't for nothing.