"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." Philippians 4:6-7
We often think of Philippians chapter four as a chapter on joy. In this chapter we also learn how we can have peace, a sense of security in Christ, and how we can "stand firm in the Lord" (Philippians 4:1b). We are commanded in Philippians 4:4 to "Rejoice in the Lord always." This verse is not only telling us we are able to have joy in Christ, but that we must rejoice in the Lord. We are not to rejoice only on the days when everything is going smoothly, but we must also rejoice on the days which are difficult and full of trouble and challenges. True joy in the Lord does not depend on our circumstances but comes from the Lord. Paul wrote the book of Philippians in prison. He rejoiced in the Lord in spite of his trials and unpleasant circumstances. He had joy because of His relationship with the Lord. That must be our source of joy also.
Joy is first found in right praying. Joy and peace are not found in counterproductive worry. Worry accomplishes nothing except for depressing our spirit and in some cases causing physical ailments in our bodies. When we begin to worry we need to immediately cast our worries and anxieties on the Lord in prayer. We need to commit all our concerns to the Lord, and then leave them with the Lord.
It is so easy to pray to the Lord, and then walk away from prayer still worrying. God commands us not to do that, but instead we are to leave all our worries in His hands. Worry and trust do not go together. When we bring our worries to the Lord we must also approach Him with a thankful heart. We must not forget to thank Him for all His past and present blessings. If we do that Philippians 4:7 says that "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Joy and peace come from right praying, and they also come from right thinking. In verse eight of chapter four of Philippians we are told to think of things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Joy and peace further comes from right practice. Philippians 4:9 says, "Whatever you have learned or received---put it into practice. And the God or peace will be with you." Obedience to God's Word always produces joy and peace.
Joy and peace come from right praying, right thinking, right acting, and finally from contentment in all circumstances. We need to be content whatever our circumstances, and we need to be content wherever God has placed us in this life. Paul was in in prison when he wrote the book of Philippians. In spite of this fact, Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11b, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Can we say the same?
Surrendering to God's will and resting in Him is the only way to true joy and and peace. We might think that this is easier said than done. The truth is we can do nothing in ourselves. Paul says in Philippians 4:13, however, "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." The Lord gives us the strength to rest all our worries in Him. He gives us the strength to face all of life's problems. Finally, the Lord promises to be with us and meet our needs. Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." He has promised to meet all and not just some of our needs. He has promised to meet all our needs out of His glorious and limitless riches. What joy! What peace!
Thursday, May 17, 2018
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Philippians 3
"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." Philippians 3:7-9
Businesses have to consider their profits and losses, if they are going to be able to stay in business. Even families and individuals have to mange their finances. Consideration of profits and losses is even more crucial in our spiritual lives, however. We need to ask ourselves what or whom is most important to us in our lives and what is worth little or nothing.
In verses four through six of Philippians chapter three the apostle Paul listed all the things that were important to him in the past. These were things that were important to Paul before he knew the Lord Jesus as His Savior, Lord, and friend. What Paul had considered important in the past, however, Paul now considered worthless. Paul concluded that there is no joy outside of knowing and serving the Lord. Paul said in Philippians 3:7-9, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." Paul went on to say in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection."
So often we foolishly place value on the things of this world. We each need to ask ourselves, "What is more important to me? Is it money? Is it possessions? Is it pleasure? Is it my career?" There is nothing that this world has to offer that can begin to compare to the joy of knowing the Lord. In comparison to knowing the Lord Jesus everything else in our lives is pure "rubbish." Philippians 3:9 reminds us that absolutely nothing can compare to the joy of gaining our Lord Jesus Christ and being "found in Him" Absolutely nothing is more important than knowing "Christ and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3:10) Our supreme goal in life must be to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. Our supreme gaol in life must be to grow in our understanding of the wonders of His person.
There is no true joy outside of the Lord. In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord!" Paul did not say to rejoice in people and possessions, but he said, "Rejoice in the Lord!" The Lord is all that really matters for time and for eternity. The Lord Jesus is the only source of salvation. Depending on our own resources and works will never earn us salvation. Our salvation is completely of grace and a gift of God. The Lord and a relationship with Him is also the only thing that gives purpose and joy in life. Knowing the Lord and living for Him is the only thing that is really important.
We must passionately desire to know and serve our Lord better every day. We must put everything out of our lives that would detract us from that goal. Paul said in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me." Our past with all its successes and failures and even joys and sorrows must be our main focus. Rather, we must focus on our growing relationship with the Lord. We must focus on growing in holiness and on growing in our service to the Lord. Paul said in Philippians 3:13b-14, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." May nothing detract us from our relationship with the Lord and from living for Him. May Christ and His glory be our consuming passion and goal!
Businesses have to consider their profits and losses, if they are going to be able to stay in business. Even families and individuals have to mange their finances. Consideration of profits and losses is even more crucial in our spiritual lives, however. We need to ask ourselves what or whom is most important to us in our lives and what is worth little or nothing.
In verses four through six of Philippians chapter three the apostle Paul listed all the things that were important to him in the past. These were things that were important to Paul before he knew the Lord Jesus as His Savior, Lord, and friend. What Paul had considered important in the past, however, Paul now considered worthless. Paul concluded that there is no joy outside of knowing and serving the Lord. Paul said in Philippians 3:7-9, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." Paul went on to say in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection."
So often we foolishly place value on the things of this world. We each need to ask ourselves, "What is more important to me? Is it money? Is it possessions? Is it pleasure? Is it my career?" There is nothing that this world has to offer that can begin to compare to the joy of knowing the Lord. In comparison to knowing the Lord Jesus everything else in our lives is pure "rubbish." Philippians 3:9 reminds us that absolutely nothing can compare to the joy of gaining our Lord Jesus Christ and being "found in Him" Absolutely nothing is more important than knowing "Christ and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3:10) Our supreme goal in life must be to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. Our supreme gaol in life must be to grow in our understanding of the wonders of His person.
There is no true joy outside of the Lord. In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord!" Paul did not say to rejoice in people and possessions, but he said, "Rejoice in the Lord!" The Lord is all that really matters for time and for eternity. The Lord Jesus is the only source of salvation. Depending on our own resources and works will never earn us salvation. Our salvation is completely of grace and a gift of God. The Lord and a relationship with Him is also the only thing that gives purpose and joy in life. Knowing the Lord and living for Him is the only thing that is really important.
We must passionately desire to know and serve our Lord better every day. We must put everything out of our lives that would detract us from that goal. Paul said in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me." Our past with all its successes and failures and even joys and sorrows must be our main focus. Rather, we must focus on our growing relationship with the Lord. We must focus on growing in holiness and on growing in our service to the Lord. Paul said in Philippians 3:13b-14, "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." May nothing detract us from our relationship with the Lord and from living for Him. May Christ and His glory be our consuming passion and goal!
Thursday, May 3, 2018
Philippians 2:9-18
Jesus Christ is worthy of all our praise and honor. The Lord Jesus is worthy of our praise and honor, because He is God. Jesus Christ is worthy or our praise and honor, because He humbled Himself and left His home in glory to come to this world of sin. The Lord then lived a perfect life for us that we could not live, and He died to pay for the punishment of our sins. As a result Philippians 2:9-11 tells us that God, the Father, "exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Someday every knee will bow before the Lord. Someday every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and is worthy of praise and honor. Even those who reject Christ now will someday acknowledge Him as Lord. When the Lord returns to this earth every knee will bow to Him, but then it will be too late for those who have previously rejected our Lord. Therefore, it is God's will and design that we passionately pursue our love relationship with the Lord now. It is God's will and design that we seek to bring praise and glory to the Lord Jesus now with our lives. It is God's will and design that the purpose of our lives be centered in the Lord Jesus and that we seek to serve and worship Him in all we do and say.
The Lord Jesus has given us an incomparable and awesome example of obedience and loving servanthood through His life. In fact, He laid down His very life for us! We now belong to the Lord. Therefore, we need to live our lives in continual praise to the Lord Jesus for His salvation. We need to live our lives for His glory. Philippians 2:12b-13 says, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
This passage is not talking about some kind of works salvation or righteousness. We are sinful and can do nothing to earn or add to our salvation. Our salvation is all of grace and a gift of God. Because the Lord Jesus has purchased our salvation by His blood and the Holy Spirit now lives in our hearts, however, we need to show that we are children of God by our lives. We need to "work out" in our lives what the Holy Spirit has worked into our hearts. As redeemed children of God we need to live for God's glory. This must become our passion and purpose for living.
As we cannot earn or contribute to our salvation by any merit on our part, so we even now can not live for the Lord without the Holy Spirit's help. We must choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our hearts, however. We must choose to avail ourselves of His strength and must seek to live holy lives. We must choose with the Holy Spirit's help to express glory to our Lord through our lives and to grow in spiritual maturity. This takes effort and maturity on our parts, but we must seek our Lord's glory out of our thankful response to His grace.
We must do all we can to live our lives in gratitude for what the Lord has done for us in making us His children. We must always seek to live for the Lord's glory and must seek to live in the center of His will. We must not ever be discontented with God's will for our lives or compare it with the life circumstances of others. Instead Philippians 2:15 says our lives must be "blameless and pure" before the Lord. We must truly live as "children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation." In fact we must "shine like stars in the universe."
Our lives must demonstrate unmixed and wholehearted devotion for the glory and praise of God and for doing God's will. Our lives as children of God must be in sharp contrast to the people of the world around us. We must be like bright stars shinning in the darkness of this world for God's glory! May Christ's glory and praise be our passion and purpose for living!
Someday every knee will bow before the Lord. Someday every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and is worthy of praise and honor. Even those who reject Christ now will someday acknowledge Him as Lord. When the Lord returns to this earth every knee will bow to Him, but then it will be too late for those who have previously rejected our Lord. Therefore, it is God's will and design that we passionately pursue our love relationship with the Lord now. It is God's will and design that we seek to bring praise and glory to the Lord Jesus now with our lives. It is God's will and design that the purpose of our lives be centered in the Lord Jesus and that we seek to serve and worship Him in all we do and say.
The Lord Jesus has given us an incomparable and awesome example of obedience and loving servanthood through His life. In fact, He laid down His very life for us! We now belong to the Lord. Therefore, we need to live our lives in continual praise to the Lord Jesus for His salvation. We need to live our lives for His glory. Philippians 2:12b-13 says, "work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
This passage is not talking about some kind of works salvation or righteousness. We are sinful and can do nothing to earn or add to our salvation. Our salvation is all of grace and a gift of God. Because the Lord Jesus has purchased our salvation by His blood and the Holy Spirit now lives in our hearts, however, we need to show that we are children of God by our lives. We need to "work out" in our lives what the Holy Spirit has worked into our hearts. As redeemed children of God we need to live for God's glory. This must become our passion and purpose for living.
As we cannot earn or contribute to our salvation by any merit on our part, so we even now can not live for the Lord without the Holy Spirit's help. We must choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our hearts, however. We must choose to avail ourselves of His strength and must seek to live holy lives. We must choose with the Holy Spirit's help to express glory to our Lord through our lives and to grow in spiritual maturity. This takes effort and maturity on our parts, but we must seek our Lord's glory out of our thankful response to His grace.
We must do all we can to live our lives in gratitude for what the Lord has done for us in making us His children. We must always seek to live for the Lord's glory and must seek to live in the center of His will. We must not ever be discontented with God's will for our lives or compare it with the life circumstances of others. Instead Philippians 2:15 says our lives must be "blameless and pure" before the Lord. We must truly live as "children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation." In fact we must "shine like stars in the universe."
Our lives must demonstrate unmixed and wholehearted devotion for the glory and praise of God and for doing God's will. Our lives as children of God must be in sharp contrast to the people of the world around us. We must be like bright stars shinning in the darkness of this world for God's glory! May Christ's glory and praise be our passion and purpose for living!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)