Today's reading...
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
We talked about this passage together in our team meeting. We spent a significant amount of time considering ways to demonstrate our love for others.
We shared about the differences of considering our own way first in every circumstance and spent time trying to ponder selfless ways to not be selfish while not looking for moments to point to as ways in which we accomplished humility. Which would be the opposite of what verse 4 is urging us toward.
I heard this definition of humility recently that sticks out. Humility is not thinking less of yourself it is thinking of yourself less. I think that is a starting place.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Phil 1:19-30
Our reading for today is the following passage.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Verse 29 sticks out to me so clearly in this passage. It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.
What an amazing concept. Faith in Christ is an unbelievable gift, but so is suffering for him.
My prayer today is for thankfulness for not only the chance to be known by Christ, but also to make him known to others by the way I live.
Some more thoughts that popped in my head:
During the good as we live we count it as an amazing gift, but also through the bad, as we gradually age and struggle with our bodies, mind and flesh. As verse 21 points out, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We gain Christ either way. So to be known by Christ and conversely to know him, is to embrace life and death with courage knowing that either aspect is for His glory. And to that end I pray for courage.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 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. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Verse 29 sticks out to me so clearly in this passage. It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.
What an amazing concept. Faith in Christ is an unbelievable gift, but so is suffering for him.
My prayer today is for thankfulness for not only the chance to be known by Christ, but also to make him known to others by the way I live.
Some more thoughts that popped in my head:
During the good as we live we count it as an amazing gift, but also through the bad, as we gradually age and struggle with our bodies, mind and flesh. As verse 21 points out, to live is Christ and to die is gain. We gain Christ either way. So to be known by Christ and conversely to know him, is to embrace life and death with courage knowing that either aspect is for His glory. And to that end I pray for courage.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Phil 1:12-18
Today I'm working through the following passage:
Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 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.
Verse 18 says it all. Regardless of the motivation of those who are speaking out of envy and rivalry of Paul's message or Paul's style. He is reminding the Philippians of the overwhelming joy he has because Christ is being proclaimed through it all.
God give us joy as we make you known to those around us. Help us to check our motives against the evil that rages in our hearts, so that you will be given praise in all we do and say.
Paul's Chains Advance the Gospel
12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 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.
Verse 18 says it all. Regardless of the motivation of those who are speaking out of envy and rivalry of Paul's message or Paul's style. He is reminding the Philippians of the overwhelming joy he has because Christ is being proclaimed through it all.
God give us joy as we make you known to those around us. Help us to check our motives against the evil that rages in our hearts, so that you will be given praise in all we do and say.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Phil. 1:1-11
We started through Philippians this morning..
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[a] and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
I underlined verses 6 and 9.
Things to remember from these particular verses:
God will continue to work in and through our lives until the work is complete.
God calls us to humility, so love may abound more and more.
If you aren't reading anything then read along with me.
1Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers[a] and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3I thank my God every time I remember you. 4In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. 8God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
I underlined verses 6 and 9.
Things to remember from these particular verses:
God will continue to work in and through our lives until the work is complete.
God calls us to humility, so love may abound more and more.
If you aren't reading anything then read along with me.
2009 Movies
Staying up with current movies is a bit of a challenge these days. Regardless, here is a list of movies to keep an eye out for during this year.
Movies are speaking to us and are challenging us to consider deeper things about life. Who we are, where we are going and what life is all about. Some of them are just trying to get us to lighten up a little. Which I need and welcome. :)
This comes courtesy of Paste magazine,
Movies are speaking to us and are challenging us to consider deeper things about life. Who we are, where we are going and what life is all about. Some of them are just trying to get us to lighten up a little. Which I need and welcome. :)
This comes courtesy of Paste magazine,
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Mom's Birthday
Mom, happy birthday! Love you and hope you have a great day tomorrow. Wish we could be there with you.
Books i'm reading
I'm a fan of the Resurgence and am posting this picture to potentially receive a free copy of a Russell Moore's new book called, "Adopted for Life."
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