Peace That Passes All Understanding...

Friday:

Philippians 4:2-23

This section of scripture is my favorite in the Bible. ☺ I am going to share a little more personally this morning, so I hope you are not bored by my words. I have had anxiety attacks on and off for the past 6 or 7 years. These attacks are anywhere from mild to extreme. For those of you that don’t know, an anxiety attack can happen at anytime, and isn’t just because you are upset about something. Anxiety attacks can simulate an actual heart attack (I know this from research, AND my own personal experience). I started to see a Christian counselor after the first 6 months (seeking Christian counsel was BY FAR one of the best things I have ever done). The very first thing this counselor told me – actually was my ‘homework’ for my first session – to memorize the following scripture: 

Philippians 4:6-7 “ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” 

Over the next couple of years, I cannot begin to tell you how much that one little passage came to mind Daily, weekly, and now about once a month. I wrote it on my heart, and what I didn’t understand completely at the time, I did anyway, and God has used it over and over and over. While the anxiety/panic attacks were a medical issue, they were still an emotional one. Emotionally and physically I could not control those attacks. However, I could come to God and pray and ask Him to harness those emotions, and He would remind me in MANY ways how much I am loved, and how much HE will provide! After studying that scripture I began to stay in His Word every day, and grow more and more, and through the daily time with God, I began to be drawn closer to Him. I was able to stop taking all the medication I had been put on for the anxiety, and then able to drop a few pounds that I had put on from the medicine. Nick and I both were sent back to work (on the same day!! – just about at the same moment!). 

So, when I read this morning, I can’t help but give praise to God for all He has done for me in my life. For all He has supplied for me. I was at the bottom – emotionally, physically, financially, and spiritually. And I was able to come out because of the strength of Christ – Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – not on my own strength – but through HIS strength. Thinking about the money that wasn’t in the bank, the jobs we didn’t have, the weight that I couldn’t shed because of the medicine, or how my physical body was out of control, my heart racing out of my chest – I knew thinking about those things was not a help to me. Look at verse 8 – “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – 

These are promises that we have from the ALMIGHTY GOD! These are promises that we have from the Creator of the Universe! We are promised that we WILL have the “peace of God, which passeth all understanding” – I can think about peace and understand it, but the peace of God passes all of my understanding – it is a peace far beyond what we can even think about. A peace that can control anxiety attacks. A peace that can give us comfort when we are hurting. 

Dear Lord,
I thank you this morning for the peace you have given us. Please bless us today, and help us to be honoring to you.
Amen.

That I May Know Him...

Thursday:

Philippians 3:1-4:1

I believe one of the general truths this morning that spoke to me the most was that I am still a work in progress. Working every day to be more like Christ, and to know Him more. I need to depend not on my own works to get me where I need to be, but on Christ to get me there. A couple of verses that stood out to me:

V.10 – “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” (KJV)

V. 13 – “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,” (KJV)

V.14 – “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (KJV)

I think verse 14, probably stood out to me the most. Not because it is a verse we may all know well, but because of the study notes in one of my study bibles. The notes say that the Greek word for ‘press on’ “was used of a sprinter, and refers to aggressive, energetic action. Paul pursued sanctification with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize. (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 1 Tim. 6:12; Heb. 12:1).” (The Macarthur Study Bible) This morning I was feeling very ‘worn out’. And then I read the verses, and see that I need to “aggressively” press on? I just didn’t feel like I had any more “aggression” or “energetic action” to give. Then I went back and read the verses again, and realize, that while we need to put forth our very best, and everything we can, that we need to get that energy and aggression from God. I need to ask Him for the strength, because as I have seen all week, that strength is not found in myself. I find that strength in Him.

I am so thankful for the truths this morning, and the blessing from His Word.

Dear Lord,

Thank You, again for blessing us with another day to serve you. Thank you for reminding me that I need strength from you, not from myself. And thank you for showing me how to press on towards you. Please draw me closer to you. Help me to be an example to others, and help me see the example in others.

Amen.

Not Regarding My Life...

Wednesday:

Philippians 2:18-30

This morning I found encouragement while reading about Epaphroditus. The people knew that Epaphroditus had been sick and Paul wanted the people to know that God had mercy on Epaphroditus and Paul.  The verses tell us that Epaphroditus was sick and came close to death “for the work of Christ”. That last verse is where I found the most encouragement and instruction this morning.

Verse 30:  “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.”

I ask myself, What have I sacrificed for the work of Christ?  Do I just give up sometimes when I am tired, sick, weak?  I am reminded to find my strength in Christ, and continue working for Him.  Reminded to continue working for Him in the way I have read about the past few days.  For in nothing be ashamed, with boldness, magnifying Christ in my body (Ch.1, V.20), And with other believers being likeminded, being like Christ, a servant, with the humility of Christ.

The Humility Of Christ...

Tuesday:

Philippians 1:26-2:18

This morning I am reminded of how to conduct myself as a Christian.  Not just as an individual, but with other believers also.  One part that stood out the most to me was verses 2-3.  “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (KJV)  Isn’t that the humility that Christ showed us when he “made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”(KJV)? 

Do I carry myself as a Christian?  Isn’t the word Christian “Christ-Like”?  When I am with other Christians do we act like Christ, do we shine as lights?  Verse 14 stood out to me regarding this.  “Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”(KJV)   I am sure that Satan is excited when we are disputing with other Christians, because how quickly that ruins our example to this “crooked and perverse nation”.   I pray that I learn to have the humility of Christ. 

Dear Lord,

Please help me learn to be a humble servant for you.  Help me to be a light, and help me with other Christians to not lose sight of the example that Christ gave me when He humbled himself and became like man, and suffered on the cross, for MY sin.

Amen. 

In Nothing I Shall Be Ashamed...

Monday:

Philippians 1:1-26

Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi while he was a prisoner in Rome. I am inspired by the joy that Paul has even though he is in prison, and knew his life to be at stake. Paul could see that his circumstances had furthered the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and because of his boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, others found boldness to do the same. Some were preaching the Gospel out of envy of Paul (V.15), others out of love (V.17), but regardless, Paul saw that the Gospel was being preached. Paul was also able to preach from prison to the many guards that were assigned to him. So, Paul could see that his imprisonment was a good thing.

There were two other things that stood out to me this morning. One was verse 20 -

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” (KJV)

Paul knew that regardless the circumstances or outcome (whether he be released, or put to death) that he was going to magnify Christ. And what a powerful example that we have in Paul. He says, “in nothing I shall be ashamed”. How many times have I been quiet when I should have stood up for Christ? How many times have I not told someone about Jesus because I was afraid of what they would think of me? Paul was not ashamed; he wanted to share the Gospel. He could be put to death. What is the worst that would happen to me? An ‘uncomfortable situation’? I am ashamed that there have been opportunities that I have had that were ‘uncomfortable’, so I didn’t tell the person about Jesus. And yet, Paul preached the Gospel knowing that he could be put to death!

The other was V. 21 “For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (KJV). He knew that as long as he continued to live he was going to serve Christ, and if he were killed, he would be with Christ. So either way, he saw the good. He wasn’t afraid of what could happen to him. Either way was good for him. He had a desire to be with Christ, which he says in V. 23 is far better than to live, but he saw the need for him to continue his earthly service to Christ. Would I be ok with dying for Christ? When I am often afraid to just speak up in a conversation?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the encouragement, blessing, and instruction of your Word today. Thank you for the example of Paul and his boldness. Please help me today to be an example for others in the things I say and do, and help me to have the boldness to tell those you put in my path about you.

Amen.

Where My Treasure Is...

Friday:

James 5:1-20

The rich men that James is speaking of here have not pleased God with the excess they have. They have obtained riches in dishonest and evil ways. I question myself this morning, am I doing with my money/treasures what God would want me to be doing? Am I furthering His Kingdom? Or storing up for myself? Why do I spend sooo much time focusing on things that don’t have anything to do with God? Shouldn’t I be spending as much time as I can on things that are ETERNAL? The world sees it differently. The world tells me (in it’s own deceiving way) that I should focus on riches (corrupted riches), and clothing (moth-eaten garments), gold and silver (corroded gold and silver). Matthew 6:19-34 also talks about this, I would encourage you to read those verses. Wow, makes

 me think…. All of this will be gone (as yesterday’s verse reminded me – our lives are but a vapor). Not to bring up another song… but I am reminded of a Meredith Andrews song that says “all of this will disappear, we are strangers here”.

Then James says that we need to be patient – Just yesterday we were talking about being patient, and waiting on God. I need to be still and wait for Him. Instead of strengthening my bank account, I need to strengthen my heart (V.8). Matthew 6:20-21 – “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Another thing that jumped out at me was V.16. “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. That is powerful! James reminds us of Elijah – he prayed for no rain, and it didn’t rain for 3 ½ YEARS! And then he prayed again, and it rained! AMAZING!

There is so much to learn from this chapter that I didn't talk about, but maybe God spoke to you in another way. I am strongly convicted this morning, and I ask myself this… Am I being a good steward? Where is my treasure? Where is my heart? Am I waiting on God?

Fleshly Desires or Spiritual Desires?...My will or God's will?

Thursday:

James 4:1-17

Good Morning! I have been so richly blessed, encouraged, and uplifted this week by the scriptures and by reading how God is working and speaking in our lives. Thank You!

I see this morning that when I want those things I cannot have, my fleshly desires are taking over. Galatians 5:17-18 tell me that the flesh will lust against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. So I know that my “fleshly” desires are going to be opposite my spiritual desires, and my spiritual desires will be opposite my fleshly desires. So, I have a choice, I can be a friend of the world and chase after these fleshly desires, or I can be a friend of God and satisfy my spiritual desires. – I do believe we need to show Christ’s love to others, but there is a difference in doing that and “friendship with the world”. A friendship with the world would have a deeper attachment; you would be choosing the world and things of the world over Christ. James (the writer of this book) was martyred because he would not renounce Christ. Could I say I would give my life for Christ? Would I be willing to be killed for Christ? I might say sure, of course I would, do I really mean it? Are there other things in my life that I won’t give up for Christ? Are there fleshly desires that I won’t give up to be closer to God? A tv show that I watch instead of spending a few extra minutes in His Word? Or a shopping trip instead of donating that money to a family that may be struggling to make ends meet (I really like to shop and spend money, I struggle here). God gives us ‘more grace’ (v.6), so that we can resist the desires of the flesh. His grace is greater than my sin; greater than the world. (reminds me of the Point of Grace song – “There is Nothing Greater Than Grace”). 

Then I see in v. 13-17, that James talks about our plans. I am a BIG planner, dreamer, and controller…. Are my plans in line with the will of God? Am I making plans before going to God? I need to not plan that I will go here, and make this money, and do this or that. Instead, I need to ask God what He wants me to be doing. Where HE wants me. And let me go one step further (based on a phone conversation with a close friend yesterday – she reminded me of this) – that we need to be WILLING to submit to that WILL of God. I might say, "whatever your will is God". But do I really mean it? I am reminded that my life is but a vapor, that is here one minute and gone the next. Do I want to spend my time seeking after my will, or after God’s will? Do I want to spend my time satisfying my fleshly desires or my spiritual desires? If I surrender to God’s will, have I fully surrendered? Or am I still hanging on to a piece? God can’t use me in the way that He wills if I am still in the driver’s seat. I would even say this – (because I know I am a controller) – Maybe I am not in the driver’s seat, and God is, but am I being a backseat driver? Still saying, "no no no go here, turn there…." I do not know the plans He has for me, and what if He had something much greater in mind? But I wanted to turn left instead of going straight like He wanted? I don’t want to limit God and the possibilities He has for my life, my family, friends, and everyone I can reach for Him… 

Dear Lord,
Thank you for this reminder this morning, to give you control of my life. Thank you for the reminders all week, and the encouragement/support. Thank you for blessing us. Please make this what you would have it to be, and let your will be accomplished. 
Amen