Philippians_ 4
Scripture Phillipians 4:4-20 Observation Paul continues his exhortation to the church in Phillipi. Understanding Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! When I read this passage I instantly knew it was for right now, for today, for the last couple of months. With all the things happening in our world, our country, our community, with all the information circulating and our easy access to take it all in, this passage was for now. It couldn’t be said better by me or anyone. The point is driven by someone completely filled with the Holy Spirit and his words are so relevant. Phillipians 4:4-20 (The MSG) 4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! 6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Application 8-9 Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious— the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Amen!!
Deborah Lee
Philippians__3
Scripture
Philippians 3:13-14
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Observation-What does it say?
Paul is writing the Philippians. He is trying to motivate them not to rest on their past accomplishments, not to be satisfied of just being saved by their faith in Jesus Christ, and to push forward and keep growing into the people God has called them to be. It is a call for all who know Christ to stay focused on the prize that awaits us, and to finish the race strong.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Keep pushing forward! Keep growing!
Did you ever have a goal you wanted to achieve so bad? I know I have. One of them was losing weight and getting back into shape. In order to do that I had to set goals and build a certain discipline in my life in order to achieve that goal. It took hard work, discipline, and dedication in order to accomplish that task. It took me about 3 long months to be able to hit my goal. But what happened once I achieved that goal? I hate to admit it, but I got complacent. I felt I had my younger metabolism back, and I let old habits creep back into my life. Eventually I gained all my weight back (and then some), and now it seems I have to “climb that mountain” again. 😩
The reason I share this personal story of mine is so you can learn from my mistake. I know the story I shared is one of physical health, but the same can happen to our spiritual health if we’re not careful. If we begin to be complacent, those bad habits may start creeping back into our lives, allowing the enemy to get a foothold on us and put a strain on our relationship with Jesus. Paul even says a person’s spiritual health is even more important than their physical health.
“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” -1 Timothy 4:8
So don’t just be satisfied with knowing our faith is in Jesus, and that we will soon be spending eternity with Him in Heaven. Although that is a great thing, our goal should be to keep pushing forward, to know Him more, and to grow in our faith each and every day. If the whole endgame was to just be saved through our faith in Jesus, don’t you think God would have just snatched us up and brought us to Heaven the moment we accepted Jesus into our lives? Instead, we still have a mission to do. To multiply Christ Followers everywhere (Matthew 28:19-20), to disciple others to grow in their walk with Jesus, and for making sure we too are growing with our walk with Him until the day He calls us home. 😊
Life Application
Be determined to let nothing get in the way of achieving your goal.
Although we haven’t been meeting together physically at church, or even meeting in our GROW Groups, that shouldn’t deter us from pushing forward and achieving God’s mission for us. The church is about the people, and not the building. So we need to ask ourselves, “even with this whole social distancing thing, am I pushing forward achieving God’s mission?” How can I make this happen today? How can I stay connected to God’s people, disciple someone, be discipled by someone, and share the Gospel to someone who is need? It may be challenging, but I know if you want something bad enough, you can make it happen. So now is not the time to be complacent! Even with these obstacles of social distancing, God has given us the technology to still go out there and reach His people and the lost. It’s up to us if we’re willing to take that step forward and to keep growing.
-Moses Gaddi
Philippians__2
Scripture
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.
Observation-What does it say?
Paul is writing to the Philippians - the people of Philippi in Greece, which is said to be the location of the first Christian community established in Europe.
Understanding-What does it mean?
As I read this I thought “what a diametrically opposed way to living to what we see today.” But, as I continued, it sounds like it was just as much in opposition back then.
V 21 “For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
So, perhaps, things have not changed much. People were selfish then as they are now. However, God’s character and call to His followers have not changed either. We are to live differently - to maintain humility, be obedient (even to death), honor others, “do everything without complaining or grumbling, so that [we] become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation’” (v 14-15).
Life Application
May we “shine...like stars in the sky as [we] hold firmly to the word of life” (v 15-16).
God, help me to look to your interests first, not my own. Help me to be an example of your character today - humble, loving, kind, patient, etc. Give me your eyes and your heart for those I meet today. Amen.
-Rei