Philippians_2

ScripturePhilippians 2:2-4² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Observation Paul and co-author Timothy address the church of Philippi.UnderstandingPaul says “then make my joy complete by…”And, while the church of Philippi living out humility may have brought Paul joy, humility most often brings joy to the one who lives it out.  With humility there is no pride, no expectation, no entitlement.  When we set aside these things, it becomes much easier to be “like-minded, having the same love, being in one spirit and of one mind.”Humility is exemplified by Christ who stepped off His throne in heaven to come to earth and heal, love, care for the outcasts.  Who – of ALLLL people – is, was and always will be better than us or above any human form.  Yet, he humbled Himself in order to love people, teach them and turn their hearts towards God.  May we do the same!Life ApplicationBe humble.Like Christ, value others above yourself.Like Christ, love others.Like Christ, honor others.Like Christ, put the interests and needs of others – especially as it relates to relationship with Christ or eternal life – above our own. To check out the discussion or to join in click here.

Philippians__1

Scripture  Philippians 1:29-30  For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.Observation-What does it say?  Philippi is a city on the Egnation way, an east and west highway in the northern part of Macedonia.  Because of it’s geographical location, Philippi was subject to various ideas and schools of thought influencing and disrupting the church.  Therefore, in opening his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the church to work on their unity. Part of the need for unity is to live a life worthy of the church.  Paul also encourages us in our suffering. Our life in Christ is not only believing, but also suffering.Understanding-What does it mean?  Something I never want to do again in my life is go through a police academy.  The five and a half months of intense learning and training were some of the worst months in my life.  But, whenever I think of my time spent in that classroom, in the PT field, and at the range, I laugh and smile, knowing it was some of the best time in my life.  I made some great friends, and most importantly, I grew as a person. Like anything difficult to complete, whether it be a marathon, a college degree, or climbing a mountain, the joy is not only in the outcome, but in seeing how far we have come.  Some of the worst or hardest times I’ve ever gone through in life are often the times I look back at with the most joy. When I think of suffering, Job almost always comes to mind.  In everything Job lost, he grew closer to God and his dependency on God grew as well.  In our own suffering, the joy comes not only in knowing that some day we will be with Jesus, but joy also comes in knowing that we are separating ourselves from this world of sin and pain.  As we all know, life is not pretty or well put together. At the worst times we will have car accidents, or loose a job, we might even find out we have a disease with a grim outcome. But as we learn to trust in God and to suffer with Him, we can sing like David did in the wilderness.

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You ]earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh [c]yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.  Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.  My soul is satisfied as with [d]marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.  Psalm 63:1-5

 

Life Application  Jesus, teach my heart to know that your love is better than life.  When I am low and hurting, I know your word restores my life and my bones.  Send your peace on my heart when everything seems to be falling down around me.  I love you, and I know in suffering I am being drawn closer to you.

 

-Tyler Galloway

Proverbs_ 3

ScriptureProverbs 3:11-1211 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,    and do not resent his rebuke,12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,    as a father the son he delights in.ObservationKing Solomon speaks most likely to his descendants offering instruction, understanding, and wisdom.

Understanding

God loves you!!I remember when my girls were small it seems I was correcting them for everything.When I saw them running for the street, I would pull them back and say,“when you cross the street stop at the curb, looking both ways, and if no cars are coming then you can walk to the other side.”When I saw them yanking a toy from another child’s hand I would say to ask for it and say “please”, when they give it to you say “thank you.”Over and over and over again I told them the correct way to do certain things. I’m sure they dreaded hearing my voice at times especially because it may have seemed I was only going to keep telling them all the things they are doing wrong.Really, I just loved them. I didn't want them to get hit by a car and I wanted them to be nice human beings that could someday have friends:)ApplicationHebrews 12:5 "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,God is transforming us into the image of His Son Jesus Christ. He loved us enough to have sent Jesus to redeem us from our sins, and he continues to show his love for his children by correcting our ways to conform to His image.God may bring about his correction by his word, people, or situations.Let me tell you, God loves the heck out of me!Thank you Father for your love. I am so grateful to belong to a church body that cares so much about discipleship in turn shows your love for me! Deborah Lee