Philippians 2 - 1.31.24

Scripture

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure

Observation

God wants our obedience, but He wants our heart also.

Application

Do everything without grumbling? I have to admit that I am a master grumbler. I do think we should be able to let our feelings out and then move on. But I think there a few caveats:

1. We should be expressing our feelings to God rather than others

2. When we feel like grumbling, we need to examine our hearts

For me, sometimes I can convince myself to obey, but I grumble along the way. God wants us to obey because we love Him and want to please Him. He wants us to trust Him and understand that He wants the best for us. He wants our hearts. He wants us to obey, but is a half-hearted obedience really obedience? Imagine a time when God speaks and we simply say yes!

A verse stood out to me from our reading in Malachi 4 last week:

Vs. 2 - But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

I felt like God was reminding me how much He loves me and encouraging me to focus on positive things rather than on problems and obstacles. Today is another reminder that He wants to change my heart from the master grumbler to the master truster.

Prayer

God, thank you that you love me and have such patience with me when I don’t deserve it. Thank you for this reminder today that you want a heart of love for you and a desire to please you. 

To those of you reading this, please help me with this challenge - the next time you see me, ask me to name something I am grateful for.

- Debbie Dunn

Philippians 1 - 1.30.24

SCRIPTURE:  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.

OBSERVATION

This chapter begins with Paul giving thanks and encouragement for the believers in Philippi. In verse 6, Paul is sharing his confidence that God will continue the ongoing process of sanctification for each believer until the day Jesus Christ comes back for the saints. God began the good work in us with salvation through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. At that moment, we become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Just like a caterpillar emerging from the chrysalis, our transformation to become more like Christ begins when we become a believer but it doesn’t end there. It’s ongoing!

I’m so thankful He doesn’t give up on us – ever! Even though we fall, make mistakes, HIS process in us continues. He empowers and builds us up each day. He’s at work in our lives and thankfully continues our sanctification all the way until Christ’s return.

“He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ” 1 Corinthians 1:8

APPLICATION

I am so humbled to know that God not only saved me but He continues the sanctification process in my life to the end. Although I fail and fall down, He doesn’t give up on me. Knowing He believes in me, cares about my life, and will guide me until Christ returns is empowering. My heart is full knowing the depth of His love in my life.

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for caring about the details of my life. You don’t give up on me but works each day in my life, helping me, and sanctifying my life for your good work. I’m so thankful you chose me, began the good work, and will carry it to completion – even until the day of Christ’s return.

- Mary Oberg

Psalm 64 - 1.29.24

Scripture

Psalms‬ ‭64‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“All people will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done. The righteous will rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him; all the upright in heart will glory in him!”

‭‭

Observation

In the beginning of this passage, David was petitioning God for protection from his enemy and complaining about “the conspiracy of the wicked” and “the plots of evildoers” beginning in verse 1. He was complaining about their evil schemes. However, the Psalm shifts its tone in verse 7 when he says, “But God…” He begins to describe how much greater God is than his enemy. 

Application

But God…

We cast all our anxieties on the Lord because He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7). We offer up our complaints to Him and He hears them all. However, as Pastor Katie said in one of our huddles, we cannot stay there. This is essentially what King David did in this Psalm. He could’ve easily spiraled into who his enemy was and how he was making his life miserable. But instead, he switched his tone and said, “But God..!”

Whatever situation or circumstance in life is getting us down or whatever earthly or spiritual enemy is trying to pull us down, we must remember that God is greater! What situation do you need to add the words, “But God…” to? 

This also reminds me of one of my favorite sermons that Pastor Levi preached a couple of months ago when he started a series on Joseph, called, “Even If.” Here’s a link if you missed it, want to rewatch it, or share it with someone. https://youtu.be/kE5sUJSp3Pg?si=LoAFfQR0dAUXqgBX

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank You for always being willing to listen to my complaints, concerns, hardships, worries, anxieties, pain, etc. Thank You that You care so deeply for me. I’m grateful that I can always run to You in hard moments and with anything because You know everything already. However, I pray for Your strength to also encourage myself through trials by remembering Who You are in the midst of them all. May I always run to You with my complaints, but also remember the words, “ But God..” through it. You are so good Lord. Amen. 

-Michelle Gaddi