Sermon Link
Mission Accomplished
Philippians 1:12-18
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zbx16vaudff1mjb/Philippians%201-12-18.docx
Tag Archives: philippians
Play Ball
Play Ball
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I have got two boys playing in their semi-final playoff games today in the Rec. Fall baseball league. Both of them are struggling getting the bat on the ball, and it has gotten in their heads. I had a pretty stern talk with them last night about the mental side of sports. Any sport of any kind is won or lost in your mental strength. Ability will get you only so far; you must possess the mental strength to thrive on the pressures of these situations. I am trying so hard for them to understand this; it is truly one of these life lessons that we want our kiddo’s to learn in the arena of playing sports. The mental strength, the positive attitude, the ability to work or even thrive on the pressure situations.
This scripture in Philippians is so “abused”. We claim it in any way and every thing to seemingly use God to get what we want. It could be so abused in that “name it & claim it” sects of religion. Why wouldn’t God want me to have that BMW? The apostle Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians as a letter of thanksgiving. He is so humbled and thankful for all they have done for him while in prison. It is not the material gift that they sent, but the thought and the reward that Paul tells them that will come as a result of it. Paul is humbled to the point in his service for God here; he has learned to be content in all things that he faces; he understands God’s Sovereignty. Philippians 4:1 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
There is in that understanding of God’s Sovereignty, found contentment and strength. He has you right where you are, facing whatever you are, by his design. When you grasp that, you breath a sigh of relief. The book of James tells us to gather strength in all that God allows us to face. James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Even under the pressures of sports, and the pressures of life, when we are squeezed, what comes out? Is it the strength and peace of God that allows us to face these tough situations? It is in the time cultivated in His Word and prayer daily that prepares you for whatever situation you may face today.
Every Moment
Every Moment
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
I have been writing this week in Philippians, and I was excited to know one of my favorite statements by Paul would likely be where I found myself today. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. There are so many roads to travel down with Paul in his example of a life focused on Christ. Paul was writing this letter from prison; prison could bring death; and all that mattered to him was that Christ was glorified in his life or in his death. Paul lived a life so incredibly sold out for Christ that he saw God’s hand in his every situation of every day. He knew he was exactly where God wanted him for that very moment, and he poured himself into drawing the attention to Christ for every moment. There was no difference, no matter to Paul, if he lived or died as long as Christ was exalted and glorified in it.
One of my daily devo’s came to my inbox with Matthew 6:34 above this morning. Matthew 6 is one of my favorite passages of scripture, where Christ lays out so much of an application of how to live our lives for him. I right now have some really big things demanding my thoughts, and it is easy to become distracted from the worry about the days and things that MAY come. I saw the similarity in Paul’s statement and Christ’s words to us. A life focused on the present situation, and serving Christ in that situation, is a life dedicated to the moment with God. This life produces a lack of concern for the next day; for the next day may not come. James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. How many moments with and for Christ are lost in the worry of the tomorrow that may never come.
Satan is the author of these doubts and worries of your tomorrows. He slides into your mind and steals your daily focus; he replaces it with an anxiety of the unknown future; he steals your joy for the day and replaces it with the worry of tomorrow. John 10:10a The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. When you feel those anxieties press, deny them through the power of prayer with a heart for God. Claim the day and the moment for your life to be focused on drawing glory to Christ in that moment. This will likely prove to be a continual process throughout each day as Satan continues to try and distract you. This will prove to be a day closer to Christ as a result of your seeking Him in every moment for focus and strength. In those moments your eyes are opened, and you may see and hear the voice and plans He has for your for that time with and for Him. John 10:10b. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. This abundant life is a life dedicated to glorifying Christ in every moment of your day with Him.
The Fog
This morning I was watching the weather and all the talk of the dense fog, and how it would burn off in a couple of hours with the coming sun. I could not help but think of how those statements were parallel with what we read in the Bible. Our time here is temporary, and we do not know when we will fade as the morning fog, but we are guaranteed a pathway into the next life through the Son, into eternal paradise. Are you ready?
The Fog
James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
Today you will arise, go throughout your day for probably close to 16 hours, called to the duties of the day. You will follow the order of things, you will tackle the obstacles that arise, and in your mind you hope to overcome all that is set before you today. But what if today was your last? What if today, your life faded as the fog of this morning in just a few hours? How would today be different? Are you ready to face eternity in either Heaven or Hell?
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. We simply have no idea of when our time here is up. The tragedies of life have struck, and will strike, many of us that forever change us. But they must direct us to life’s futility, and the importance of our limited time, and our preparation for the life thereafter. We are assured of few things, but death of our flesh, and the assurance of a pathway of our souls into eternal paradise are guaranteed. Christ has provided the Way through the security of Salvation to not worry about what tomorrow or today might bring. The apostle Paul saw his time here, and even his death, all as an opportunity to glorify Christ. Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. How could today be different for you?
The First One Minute Ministry – 01/01/12
I have to tell you this verse was given to me last night at 11:30 by my son. I had the idea of what I was going to send out this morning, but when he came in and read me this, I knew that was it. I knew that I must not “pass on” another devotional, but write something original as I sometimes do. But then Satan stepped in, and the distractions came, and I have found myself still battling them this morning…but I press on. The idea here is a simple One Minute Ministry.
Find The Good
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.
Where is your focus? Is it in the news story about the mayhem you just saw on TV? Is it all the gloom and doom being thrust into our conscious by the media everywhere you turn? The idea of our New Years resolution is to clear our minds for 30 days, and to make room for God from all the static this world creates.
The Apostle Paul was trying to encourage the Philippians in their walk as Christians. He knew their surroundings had an impact on their lives just as we. Even 2000 years ago, the similarities are striking. But the question is do we let our worldly focus be pulled to earthly things, or keeping our eyes on things above? If we once realize that we are not of this world, and our lives here only a speck of sand in eternity, the worldly things should not get a grasp on our focus.
The simplicity of the beginning of this verse is what we all have learned as a child- find the good in everything. Do you look for those silver linings in the clouds, or do you find yourself looking for the rain? My prayer for you today is to take time to give thanks, and to see the good in what is around you, tuning into God’s blessings, and tuning out the worlds woes.
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