Category Archives: Philippians

It has to happen

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20140319-103355.jpgIt’s easy for fear to grab your heart when the news is stories about economic collapse, nuclear arms in the hands of nut-case leaders, Iran threatening to annihilate Israel, Russia rebuilding while the US is downsizing. No wonder people love pictures of kittens cuddling dogs and squirrels pushing strollers. In comparison to reality it appears sane and normal.

But look at this surprising thing Jesus said and notice something really interesting:

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. (Mark 13:7)

“Those things must take place”. In other words, this is all part of the plan. God is still in control, all this evil is not only under His control but it is a necessary part of His plan. Did you catch that, a necessary part, they must take place, it needs to be this way for His purpose to be fulfilled.

That is great news! It is not the wacky leaders who are in control. All power still belongs to Jesus and He loans it to those He chooses to use to accomplish His purposes. These things “must take place” so these leaders, which seem to be out of control, and their maniacal agendas are just part of His plan.

I don’t have to worry and fret (in fact, doing so won’t change a thing) because this is all part of His pre-determined plan. God is still at the helm, things are under control and He was aware of all “those things” at least 2000 years ago. So take a deep breath, let it out slowly and rest in peace knowing He is still on the throne. I don’t know what my future holds but I know Who holds my future. Therefore, fear has no place because the Peace of God sits enthroned in my heart.
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Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Whatever happens? No exceptions?

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Conduct yourselfWhatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
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What a great passage to commit to memory and use as a motto for life. Whatever happens … good, bad or otherwise … whether I understand it or am totally clueless … whether it is fair or unjust … whether I like it or not … whatever happens as I pass through life may I conduct myself in a worthy manner.

May my actions, attitude, behavior, thought life, that which I look at, that which I think about, those I associate with, everything I do, may my conduct be worthy of the gospel … worthy of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Continue reading →

Focus: The Lack or the Lord?

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Catering AvailableMark 8:5
“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied.
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The need was huge – food for 4000 people. 4000 people! It is easy to skip over the size of the need because we already know what is going to happen. Have you ever tried to feed 40 people? 100? 400? This was 4000? A megachurch potluck but no one brought anything and there is no caterer available.

The disciples had already seen him feed 5000 (see verse 19) but  apparently they still had no clue as to what to do (vs. 4). They were focused on what they lacked – food for 4000. Jesus, however, was focused on what they had (vs. 5) and gave thanks for that (vs. 6). Of course, we know what happened after that.
Continue reading →

I guess I’ve never met a Christian

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Cut it outLuke 6 starts great but I would like to cut out the last half of it. Most of us have a desire to have a little money,  be able to eat regularly, live indoors, enjoy life and have friends. But Jesus says “woe” to folks like that. The blessed ones are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, ostracized and insulted.

The rest of the chapter is a study in opposites, too. Love folks who hate you. Bless those who curse you. If hit, don’t hit back but invite a second blow. Give to get. If someone takes from you give them even more. Then he says this, “”Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  UGH!

I have never met a single Christian nor even read of one who, by this standard, could call Him Lord. Continue reading →

How To Get A Better Job

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If two Christians are praying for the same job which one will get it? Probably the one that is the boss’s nephew.

I don’t want to be flippant because this question has some profound implications.   Does God play favorites?  Do we earn our answers from God?  Will He give it to the one who pleases Him more?  Prays more, etc.  How much do we impact the future by prayer? What if neither gets the job?  Does prayer really matter anyway? What if one gets the job?  Does prayer matter for the other?  What about smaller matters?  A farmer prays for rain for his crops while a family prays for a sunny day for a picnic.  Does God even care about trivial things like picnics?  If not, at what point does it become important enough for Him to care about it?  My test grades?  My job?  My future spouse?  What is trivial and what is important to God?

Clearly God wants us to bring every issue to Him. Nothing is too small to talk to God about.
Philippians 4:6-7  – Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.

Probably all of us, however, have experienced prayer that seemed to go unanswered, like at least one of the people in our illustration will experience.  Here is what I have learned about prayer and life.

We live in a world of order.
The world is governed by natural and spiritual principles set into motion by God. The sun rises and the sun sets at a predictable time each day.  Drop a ball and it will go down, not up or sideways.  Give and it shall be given unto you.  What you sow you will reap.

Most events occur according to these natural and spiritual laws. We do not have to pray the sun will come up in the morning.  Natural law determines it will come up unless God intervenes with a miracle that overrides the natural law.

We can thank God nearly all events are governed by these laws and therefore predictable otherwise our world would be so random it would be chaos.  There could be no science or technology if the same action continually produced different and unpredictable results.  We could not be sure a plane that flew yesterday would fly today.  Gravity would impact the world one day but perhaps not the next. If I planted corn I might end up with a harvest of broccoli, or mice.  There would be no way of knowing.  Our world would be a continually new and frightening place.

On occasion, God steps in and overrides one of these laws of nature.  We call God’s intervention a “miracle”.  It rains when it was not supposed to rain.  A person with no hope medically is instantly healed.

Based upon natural laws, the one most likely to get the job is the boss’ nephew, or the one who made the biggest impression upon the boss in an interview or via a resume.  The candidate most qualified, better prepared, with the best work history, most impressively dressed, etc. is most likely to get the job – all else being equal – which it seldom is.

How to get a better job.
So, if you want a better job, it is certainly a good idea to pray but to really increase your  chances;  work hard where you are, show up on time, be an outstanding employee, be friendly and helpful, go beyond the minimum requirements. In other words, follow Biblical principles for hard work and prosperity as outlined in God’s Word.  Begin to put the power of the spiritual principles to work for you instead of hoping prayer will somehow produce a miracle that overrides your bad work history and lands you the position.

Line your life up with the principles of God’s Word and you will be able to spend less time in emergency prayer sessions and more time enjoying the blessings of God.
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Proverbs 14:22
All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Is Jesus For Jews?

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Romans 11:26
And so all Israel will be saved, …
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Does this mean we should not waste our time witnessing to Jews since they will be saved anyway? Does it mean they will be saved just because they are Jews without having to trust in Jesus?”

Often when we don’t understand a passage of Scripture a little diligent study will reveal that the Bible is the best interpreter of the Bible. Questions we have are often answered somewhere else in God’s Word.The key to understanding this passage is how does God define “Israel”. Is it everyone who is born to Jewish parents? Or is it everyone who is a citizen of the political nation of Israel? Or does God define “Israel” as something totally different?

Laziness would lead us to just guess or jump to our own conclusion and often this is the foundation of mistaken ideas so rampant in the church today. We don’t have to wonder or guess. God tells us very clearly who He regards as a true Israelite and Jew, in fact the answer is in the same book – Romans.

Romans 2:28,29
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly … But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…

Philippians 3:3 conveys the same idea, “we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

So “Israel” is not all the citizens of the earthly nation by that name nor all those born to Jewish parents or a convert to the religion of Judaism. A true Israelite is one who, like Abraham, believes God and demonstrates that by putting their confidence in God’s plan of salvation -which has always been believing, never by works.

Is it a waste of time to witness to Jews?  It can be frustrating but Paul certainly thought it a worthwhile use of his time to pray for their salvation and to present the gospel to them. It is never a waste of time to share God’s plan for all mankind – come to God through faith like Abraham did.
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Romans 10:1, 12-13
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Peddling the Word

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2 Corinthians 2:17
Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Philippians 1:15-18
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, … 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, … 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
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I used to wonder how you could “preach Christ out of selfish ambition”, “out of envy and rivalry”, with “false motives”. Going into ministry is not usually thought of as a road to fame and fortune although it obviously is lucrative for some today. Apparently in Paul’s day, too, you could “peddle the word of God for profit”.

The longer I’ve been at this pastoring thing the more I’ve seen a subtle temptation that can lead to “selfish ambition” and “peddling the word of God”. When you have been blessed, like I have, to pastor wonderful and gracious people they frequently encourage you, tell you how much God has used you to help them and generously express their love and appreciation. It is tempting to begin to look for those strokes, live for them and long for them. Suddenly you are ministering to meet a need in you instead of allowing God to meet the needs of others through you – selfish ambition. Slowly you can even begin to believe you are as wonderful as people say you are. Because you are so awesome you “deserve” things the average person would consider excessive. We could all point to modern examples of ministries where avarice and greed are justified, even touted as God’s stamp of approval.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, was glad the gospel was being preached even if the motives were impure so I will be too BUT, I certainly don’t want to be one “peddling the word” or preaching out of wrong motives. I want to, in Christ “speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God” ministering “out of love” for God and others. I am often, very often, reminded of a little story, can’t vouch for how true it is, that has helped me in this area.

When Woodrow Wilson was elected President of the United States, a close friend came to him with these words, “Woody, now that you have been elected President, you are going to have lots of people around you telling you what a great man you are. Just remember, you and I know better.”

While I am grateful for sweet folks who will share how God has used me to bless them and I am always greatly encouraged when I hear such a report (so keep them coming 🙂 but if something inside starts believing “I am awesome!” I remind myself, “God and I (and my wife) know better.”.

Stay humble. Stay sweet. Stay useable.
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James 4:6
… God sets himself against [the] proud, but gives grace to [the] lowly.

Are your prayers not answered?

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Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. [12] I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
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Paul says contentment is something he learned. It is not our natural tendency to be content. We always want more, bigger, better, the new and improved – thinking that will bring us contentment. I could be happy if I ….. had a nicer car, was married, lived in a different place, had different parents, had a better job, on and on it goes. The eye of man is never satisfied (Proverbs 27:20).

Paul says what he learned is a secret but he then gives a clue to the secret. If he can be content in all circumstances obviously contentment does not come from outside us, the circumstances that surround us. He then reveals the source of his contentment – learning to draw his strength from the Lord.

His ability to be content does not come from his own strength, from positive confessions or from a positive mental attitude rather his strength, ability to remain content even in hunger and want, is a gift from the Lord. The Lord could have given him food but chose instead to give him strength to be content without food. The Lord could have provided all he needed but chose instead to give Paul strength to learn contentment even in need. Apparently God saw greater value in learning contentment than in having a full belly, accumulating character rather than accumulating stuff.

If you are going through a time when it seems God has turned a deaf ear to your prayers – you seem to always come up short, in need, perhaps a little hungry – God has not abandoned you. Rather He is doing a greater work, giving you what He considers a more precious gift, building character and virtue in you.

Embrace Him. Draw from His strength. Learn the secret He shared with Paul and is now letting you in on also. Every great man or woman of God has gone through exactly what you are going though – “the dark night of the soul”. It is part of the potter’s process to conform you to His image.
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1 Timothy 6:5-8 (NIV)
… men of corrupt mind think … that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

Tears or laughter for the lost?

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Based on Philippians 3:18 I said in an earlier post that our attitude toward those who are perishing should be one of tears. But what of David who asked God to “break the teeth of the wicked” or even the Lord who “laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” (Psalm 37:13) Contradiction? Am I to cry over the lost or rejoice that they will get what is coming to them. If God laughs at the wicked, it looks like He is pretty happy to know they will get “burned” one of these days

Yet, we know God takes “no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.” (Ezekiel 33:11). But it says He laughs at the wicked knowing their day will come. Is God schizophrenic? Is this a contradiction in the Bible?

No, it is easily understood when we realize that the Old Testament often provides physical pictures for us to illustrate spiritual truths. A physical lamb illustrated Jesus, the spiritual lamb of God. The bronze serpent lifted up that brought healing to those who looked on it speaks of Jesus becoming sin for us on the cross to provide healing for all who will look to Him (Numbers 21:8). The OT is filled with physical illustrations of spiritual truths.

In the NT our battle is not against flesh and blood. Your enemy is not that nasty boss or your atheist neighbors. Our battle, our enemy, is against spiritual forces. It is still proper for us to pray, “break the teeth of the wicked” when we understand we are talking about the spiritual forces of wickedness, not the human vessels they use to accomplish their wickedness. Yes, God laughs at Satan’s attempts to thwart His will for God knows Satan’s “day is coming”.

God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, neither should we. But we can rejoice that the teeth of the roaring lion, Satan, have been broken and that Satan will one day be cast into the pit to never again tempt mankind into rebellion against God.
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Ephesians 6:12 (NIV)
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Never confuse anger for anointing

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Philippians 3:18, 19
For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, …

Many years ago I went to a meeting for pastors sponsored by a successful evangelist who was coming to our town. As a young pastor I was impressed by his fiery presentation. Afterwards I commented to an older pastor who was mentoring me that this preacher had a powerful “anointing”. His response was gentle and kind but straightforward, “Never confuse anger with anointing.”

Just a few years later this evangelist had an encounter with God that changed his life and resulted in him confessing some hidden sins, “While preaching from the pulpit I would be battling lust and anger.” His ministry also changed. There was still power but now there was also compassion.

We see that same attitude in Paul when he speaks of those whose “destiny is destruction”. He has no anxious expectation for justice or vengeance on the wicked. Like Jesus, he did speak mercilessly against the self-righteous but for the wicked there were only tears. It causes me to examine my attitude toward those who “live as enemies of the cross”. I may not be filled with anger but apathy is no better. Neither produce tears.

Lord, give me your heart (and eyes of tears) for those going away from You.
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But what of David who asked God to “break the teeth of the wicked” or even the Lord who “laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” (Psalm 37:13) Contradiction? Did Paul not have a proper attitude or did God change from OT to NT? I’ll save that for the next post.