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Intro to Philippians

Happy Fourth of July!

Taking the 50,000 foot approach to starting our devotional and reflections on Philippians is as Paul would say, “pure joy!” This letter is one of Paul’s prison epistles . It was a positive letter by Paul written to thank the Christians living in Philippi for their gift they had sent him for his missionary work.  It was also to strengthen fellow believers by showing them (us) that true joy comes from Jesus Christ alone. Amen!

As we look back in Acts 16 we read how Paul had a divine dream that told him to go to Macedonia to spread the good news.  (Acts 16:8-10)  God always has amazing perfect plans for all of our lives. This dream was perfectly planned. In Psalm 37:23, the psalmist writes, “the Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him“. God not only orders our steps but also orders our stops, especially in this case.  This vision lead to Philippi where they would be the first European City to receive the Gospel of Christ from Paul.

As I reviewed the various reflections on Philippians and read the intro’s in my study bibles I continue to land on the theme about the contrast between happiness and joy.  Knowing people want to feel happy and look for this in different material things, experiences, people, statuses, or even places like Happy Gilmore.  Yet all of this is just worldly happiness, that can often be related to our temporary current circumstances. What is your current circumstance? What is mine? The weather has been great, the pool is the perfect temp, camps have gone well, the pictures or final details are being finalized for all summer trips?  But what happens when the temperature changes, that 4th of July party ends, the children need to get back on a schedule…?  Or on a more serious side, a job has been lost, you lose a loved one, a bill comes in that leaves you strapped, your child faces addiction? Our happiness that is based on happenings can wither as each new trial prevails.  Going through Philippians will help remind us that in contrast to this earthly happiness or sadness true joy depends on our relationship with God. According to the Tyndale Study Bible it says,  “In contrast to happiness stands joy. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confidence assurance of God’s love and work in our lives, that He will be there for us no matter what! Happiness depends on happenings, Joy depends on Christ!”

So rejoice and enjoy these four chapters and look for the themes that include; finding joy in suffering, serving, believing, and giving.  I know my wife Jennifer will enjoy me referencing once again “Consider it all joy… verse from James 1:2-3 that I use often in our household of two young boys that love to follow a fallen, broken, bigger boy in myself.  I pray for Jennifer and I, our boys, and all of you to not seek the happiness of the world, but know the true joy in our relationship with the Lord!

Dear God ,

We are blessed by these letters of encouragement by Paul. Please fill our hearts when we have the feeling of being overwhelmed or in despair. Help us to pray for others that need to know your promises. Help us to stay positive and trust in you no matter our circumstances. Lord, help us to follow Paul’s example and know you more so we will rejoice in you always. Amen

Philippians 3:13-14 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining toward what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 

 

The Power of God

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6

Today we hear from Paul about abuse of power and battling against evil. He begins with a gentle reminder to parents and children:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:1-4

 As a parent, this is a practical reminder for me at the end of a long weekend. Now that summer is in full swing, my children are constantly testing me on bedtimes, food choices and screen time. I work so hard to provide measured, consistent boundaries but at times I just lose it! I find myself using my power as a parent to inflict judgement and sometimes punishment on my children when really, I’m upset about someone else using their power against me. Often, when we feel belittled, demeaned or shamed in our adult life we respond by wielding that same power over someone else. Who among us hasn’t struggled with feelings of anger or resentment and turned that into revenge? We feel justified in counting another’s failures when we find ourselves in a position of power. Paul shows us in today’s reading that this is a common theme the enemy has been using against us for centuries. He addresses this in verse 5 in regards to the Ephesians and their slaves:

“Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.” Ephesians 6:5-9

 Paul reminds us not to abuse the positions of power we are blessed with. He cautions us to do our work here on earth with honesty and integrity. To work as if He is our boss and remember that we are all equal before God. Whether we work in an office, parent children, or simply live as an example of Christian values, we are called to reject Satan’s false promises. Leading a Christian life requires us to battle against authorities that do not put Jesus at the center. Lord, help us to see that you are the Master, you are the potter and that our power is through obedience to you. Guide us gently as Paul led the Ephesians to a life that’s closer to you.

Have a great holiday week!

Negotiating For Grace

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5

I had an interesting conversation with a woman recently about joining my my company.  As we talked, she appeared to be a perfect match.  We value similar things and have many goals in common.  We agreed that if she were implement the systems and models we provide, she would experience unprecedented growth. The only logical conclusion is to be in business together.  As the conversation moved toward commitment, however, her tone changed.  She began to talk about the things that she would need before we could partner and the considerable expense that she would incur.  Of course, she wanted me to bear the cost.  It was in that moment that I realized the truth.  Yes, she would make a great partner and no, she does not yet understand the benefits and opportunities of this organization.

As I reflected, I recalled Matthew 13:25-26.  Jesus is telling a story about a merchant who sees a pearl of extraordinary value.  He says,

“the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

You see, when we find something of real value – of more value than anything that we have – we will use whatever means necessary to get it.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not comparing my company to the kingdom of heaven.  I’m simply saying that the woman I met with didn’t understand the full benefit.  She, therefore, attempted to enhance her perceived value by negotiating.  How about us?  Do we recognize the full value of Jesus sacrifice, or are we trying to negotiate a better deal?

Consider that question in context of our reading today.  The people of Ephesus saw the benefits of a Christ-following life.  Unfortunately, like us, they haven’t fully given in to the cost.  In a sense, we negotiate with God to take the grace that we need and save our old selves.  For example, Paul confronts them about their sexual immorality and covetousness.  He also adds simpler things like filthiness, foolish talk and crude joking.  All of them are equally relevant to us today.  Don’t we push the boundary of sexual immorality?  Yes.  It is evident in every movie, website and catalog that I see.  What about crude joking and foolish talk?  How do we even define crude joking?  I found an interesting definition on Biblehub.com.  “Ready wit.”  Interesting.  I don’t know about you, but I can cut down a person faster than most.  It’s a skill that I have finely tuned.  I wield it fiercely, proudly and often.  Trust me, I am not admitting that easily.  At this moment, it brings forth guilt and shame.  God does not discourage my reaction.  In fact, he reinforces it through Paul, calling me a “son of disobedience.”  The action God expects upon my acceptance of his gift is not negotiable.  There is no “mostly” good.  My failure, our failure, to surrender fully and still expect the full benefits of His loving grace is nothing short of trying to negotiate a better deal for our salvation.

Mindset

I would venture to say that a fair number of us reading this either played sports or music at some point in our lives. As I read Ephesians 4, I’m so thankful for the playbook or sheet music God gives us as the blueprint for how to live our life. The Word is full of this, but another great chapter that parallels this is Romans 12. In fact, if you are looking for a good resource, our small group did a Bible study by Chip Ingram called True Spirituality on how to become what he calls a Romans 12 Christian and it could have just as easily been about becoming an Ephesians 4 Christian.

Kurt Dorner is the Chief Development Officer with our Central Illinois Northwestern Mutual office, and he is also someone I am blessed to call a mentor and friend. Kurt’s mantra is “Better Every Day” which I absolutely love and reminds me of Ephesians 4. Kurt embodies a “growth” mindset. Just over a year ago I read a book called Mindset by Carol Dweck which changed my life and hopefully will result in changing the life of my family and those I mentor and lead. Carol talks about how most of us have a “fixed” mindset which means we see a limit or cap on things. We think we are either good or bad at certain things. For example, many say, “I’m bad at math.” This holds us back in life. Carol discusses that the highly successful have a “growth” mindset. They believe with practice and focus they can improve at anything. They also view nothing as failure and everything as learning or growth with no fear of the future and believe there is no cap on what’s possible.

Ephesians 4 rings of a “growth” mindset. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul states, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” In Ephesians 4:12=13 he says God gave us leaders to “equip the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ until we attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” In Ephesians 4:15, he says, “…we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ.” Seriously?! Be like Jesus? He was without sin! I’m guaranteed to fail, right?

I have been a believer my whole life being blessed to grow up with my family raising me in the church (yes..there were still questions at times). However, nearly all my life I would say I still carried a “hardness of heart” Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:18. Not only was I hard on myself with a “fixed” mindset focusing on my failures, but I also focused on and judged other for their sins thinking they were worse than mine without much empathy for the pain or troubles they may be experiencing now or have experienced in the past. Over the last 6 years, I have developed a relationship with Christ through more time in prayer, more time in the Bible, and in close community with fellow believers in a small group. I can see a renewing of my mind Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:23 and Romans 12:2. I can see a softening of my heart as my relationship with Christ grows as Paul speaks of in Ephesians 4:24-32. I notice myself being more forgiving of others transgressions because Christ forgave me (Ephesians 4:33). Please take note that the verbs I used all included “ing” on the end of them. I’m nowhere near where God calls me to be, and I never will be. I sin every hour and likely every minute of every day. I desperately need a Savior in Jesus because even just one sin separates me from God without him (Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23). It’s about the process of improving though by striving to be like Christ not to earn grace, but because of his grace. It’s about a “growth” and a “better every day” mindset.

In Ephesians 4:1, God urges us through Paul’s writing to step into this calling to grow to be more like Christ. He knows we will never reach it by our own works on this Earth. 2 Cor 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that we may become the righteousness of God.” Here in Ephesians 4:7 he says, “But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.”  We will mess up many plays in the playbook of life, and we will miss many notes in our musical performance.  However, 1 Corinthians 15:57 says,“But thanks be to God! He gives us victory (or a we could say a standing ovation) through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

All we have to do is believe in Him. For that free gift of grace I say God is good…wait…no…God is GREAT…all the time!

A Mystery?

Ephesians 3

As we were introduced to Ephesians this week, Deb noted the important context for Paul writing this book. It’s short but so packed with information. Each small paragraph could represent it’s own bible journal blog.

In this particular chapter, we hear Paul write about God’s mystery, how we are filled with grace, how we are to be rooted in love and how God works within us. Paul was experiencing his own mystery when he was writing this chapter, not knowing how his mystery would end. He kept following God’s message and sharing his word, no matter how his situation ended.

2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ…

Who doesn’t like a good mystery? I did a quick search on Amazon of the best selling mysteries: Macarons and Mayhem, Mystery at Maplemead Castle, The Great Crime, The Missing One, just to name a few. There was also a book entitled The Book of Mysteries Bible Journal. While I did not have time this week to order or read it, the title caught my attention. 43 verses in the bible pop up in the category of mystery from King Nebuchadnezzar to these verses:

Luke 8:10: And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

Mark 4:11: And He was saying to them, “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

What is your favorite mystery from the bible? So many powerful verses about the God’s word, actions, and messages for us to ponder. Today’s verse is no exception as God offers us the mystery of Grace. As Teresa stated on Wednesday, God “lavished Grace upon us abundantly”. Part of the mystery is in why? If he knows we are sinful people, he gives us the chance to redeem ourselves through grace rather than continue to suffer with our sins.  A wonderful mystery with a happy ending for each of us. He reminds us of why he sent his son to die for us so that we might have eternal life. God loves us and continues to show us his love for us, sometimes very clearly and other times in mysterious ways.

9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Work through your own mystery, knowing God is in charge and gives you grace, peace and love each and every day.  I love the way he ends this chapter – thanks Deb for the reminder!:

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen”

The Gift of Grace

My small group is currently doing a study about the book of Galatians. Although we are currently in the book of Ephesians for today’s study, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my readings for that Galatians study while I read Ephesians 2.

The Galatians study my small group is going through is wrecking my life in the very best of ways. Although I’ve been a Christian since I was a little girl and I grew up in the church, this particular study has revealed to me just how much I rely on my own performance and my own actions for my salvation… even though Christ took care of that whole salvation issue once and for all a long, long time ago. Maybe you can relate to me and you, too, rely too much on your performance for your acceptance.

The study is also revealing to me how much I beat myself up for the ways I fall short each day. I know this a mental habit is not from the Lord, because instead of my head being filled with gentle reminders to love better, grow more, and serve more freely, I feel condemned and discouraged by my weaknesses. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” which also tells me that those thoughts that cause me to beat myself up are not from my God. Perhaps you, also, struggle with thoughts like these.

I need passages like Ephesians 2 to wake me up and remind me the reality I get to live in as a daughter of Christ. I love Ephesians 2:13, which says,

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

To me, that’s where this big, beautiful story begins. By God’s grace and because of His loving choice to send His Son for us, we – who were once so incredibly far away from the Lord – have been brought near to Him again.

What a gift.

I also love Ephesians 2:8-9, which says,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of your works, so that no one may boast.”

“And this is not your own doing…” As I’ve been reading through that Galatians study, I’ve come to realize what a good thing this is. I’m not responsible for my own salvation. God took care of that, and Jesus’ blood covers me because I am in Christ. However, I often still live like it’s my job to save myself. I try to fix myself, I try to handle things on my own, and I try to do and be better by my own strength. I try so hard because I feel like I need to please God and make up for what He gave me so freely.

Ephesians 2 reminds me yet again that God’s love for me and His acceptance of me is in no way dependent on my actions. Not only that, but there’s no way I actually ever could save myself, no matter how hard I tried! The same goes for you… God’s love for you is not dependent on how you act, how well you perform, or how much you succeed. I often have found it helpful to remember that when God looks at me, He doesn’t have to see my sin anymore, because He sees me through Jesus. Perhaps it would help you as well to keep that mental image in your head as you go about your day. I don’t think I can ever express enough how grateful I am that the truths found in Ephesians 2 are my reality as a follower of Jesus, and I hope you are reminded today that this can also be your reality.

What a gift.

Staying Grounded

Today’s Reading:  Ephesians 1

Today’s post is written by our good friend Teresa Herbert.

As a regular reader of your posts, I am privileged today to share my reflections on behalf of my friend, Tracy, as we begin to ponder the rich messages from the first book of Ephesians, a chapter that is chock-full of powerful statements revealing the depth of God’s commitment and love for each one of us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from this chapter. It reminds me of this Bible Journal community, and it reflects my prayer for you all:

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 

I have come to realize my need to do regular “grounding” work (creating small spaces in my day to read, pray, listen or participate in my faith community) to keep my head and heart on the path God has for my life. On the days I am mindful of such practices, my feet are more firmly planted, and I’m less tempted to succumb to roadblocks such as fear, intolerance and disappointment.  Ephesians 1 is one of those chapters in the Bible that has the power to help me stay on track. Paul explains that God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings, has chosen and adopted us as his very own, and has lavished Grace upon us abundantly. All this given to us freely when we simply believe.

Paul’s opening words to the people of Ephesus hit home for me when he tells them that God intentionally bestowed spiritual blessings on each of them to be used according to his plan. This lead me to ponder: Can I identify my own spiritual blessings? How do I know I am using them in accordance with the plan God has for my life?  Some days, I would love an explicit To Do list from God that nudged me in the direction of “wisdom and revelation”.

Often, the more mundane aspects of life-the daily grind of hectic schedules, deadlines, carpools and perpetual dirty laundry- don’t shout “spiritual blessings” to me. However, those are the places where the seemingly small interactions with others (the voice inside that says to slow down and be present to the people who’ve been put in my path) can give me insight into God’s powerful hand at work. I love the idea that we pray Paul’s prayer above regularly for one another-for our significant other, our children and families and our friends, so that we all may have the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to know God better.

Beautifully, Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians continues:

18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

I pray that your heart eyes are able to see and fully grasp the HOPE that comes from trusting in your calling to be a child of a God who knew you before you were born, and who promises the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide you on your path.

Introduction to Ephesians

Tomorrow, our Bible-reading community will begin reading the book of Ephesians together. I’d like to offer an introduction to this book today, a brief overview that will provide some historical and cultural context before we start.

Like many of the books in the New Testament, the book of Ephesians was written by Paul. Paul wrote this book in approximately A.D. 60 while he was imprisoned in Rome.

Stop and think about that last fact for a minute. Paul did not let his circumstances – his imprisonment – hinder him from sharing the gospel. Let that be an encouragement to us today!

Paul wrote many of his letters to individual churches, and this one is no exception. His intended audience for this book was the church at Ephesus. God knew, though, that the themes and topics in this book would eventually be spread from Ephesus throughout the world, so in that sense we are also the intended recipients of Paul’s words.

Ephesians is a short book consisting of only six chapters, but each is packed full of wisdom and encouragement. Although several of Paul’s letters were written to warn individual churches against specific behaviors, the letter to the Ephesians is different. This letter is a nurturing one. The church at Ephesus was a young church at this time, and Paul writes to its congregation to encourage it to continue to grow and flourish. He also reminds them of what the Church should look like, and he challenges them to live as Christ-followers in a fallen world. This encouragement and these reminders are just as relevant to us today as they were to the Ephesians in the early days of Christianity.

My favorite verse in the entire New Testament is Ephesians 3: 20-21: “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” This is the verse I will be praying for our Bible Journal community as we read this book together this week!

Good Deeds

Todays Reading : Galatians 6 

We have come to the conclusion of the letter to the Galatians and Paul closed the letter in a different fashion from the previous reviewed texts. The final words of Paul are to remind the church of Galatia to “Do good deeds” and “ Remember you are free”.  Throughout the book of Galatians, Paul is reminding the church to remember that they have been purchased and freed from the bondage of sin and strictness of the law.  There is a two-fold order that we are presented here from Paul: Remember that you have been saved and know the true gospel and continue to do the righteous deeds in spite of the criticism you are receiving.

 

Paul is writing to a people that have been the subject of scrutiny for several years and the word has been returned to Paul that several individuals want to create a hierarchy of old believers and new believers have compromise the work that Paul established during his mission. There is constant bickering about who is more Christian or who is more established in the faith. When you realize this battle has been going on for several decades, it become more evident of the final words that Paul imparts to the church in Galatians 6: 7-10, are difficult for the people to understand in the flesh, but it takes the Spirit to comprehend.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

As a reflection on our current state of our country and society, I believe that these parting words are valid today as it was in Paul’s time. We have to allow the Spirit to work in us, so that a good work can be produced and God’s presence can be witnessed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, that you ordain, we will reap a harvest IF we do not give up. Amen

Producing Fruit

Our reading today is Galations 5

Christ came to set us free.

Galations 5:1, “So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slaery to the law.”

The people of Paul’s time found it very difficult to differentiate between legalism and living in the freedom of Christ. Paul is trying to get the point across to believers that Christ has set us free for FREEDOM. We now live in freedom. The victory has been bought, we do not need to earn it. This does not mean that life is easy, but that we fight knowing that God has already won.

Man needs to be free from himself and the tyranny of his sinful nature. The legalists thought they had the answer to their problems by following the laws, but Paul has explained that no amount of legislation can change man’s basic sinful nature. It is not following the laws of man, but love on the inside that makes the difference. We need another power within, and that power comes from the Holy Spirit of God. There are at least fourteen references to the Holy Spirit in the book of Galations. When we believe in Christ, the Spirit comes to dwell within us. It is because of the Holy Spirit living in us that we get to enjoy freedom in Christ.

Sometimes, when life gets hard or we face something that we do not want to do, in our house you may hear, “Put on your big girl pants” or “Suck it up buttercup”. These expressions come from within and we try to muster all that it will take to face or do something. But, we forget that we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us.
Galations 5:22-23, But when the Holt Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”
I find daily that my life does not always have these qualities when I face a difficult circumstance and I think I need to work harder to find more love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentelness, and self-control in my life.

But, I forget often that when I became a believer, I received the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9), but I am NOT filled with the Spirit at all times (Ephesians 5:18). This means that I need to continually pray, worship, and be in God’s Word to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always in us, but if we choose to push Him to the side in favor of our own nature, we will be filled with our sin and not with the Spirit. God knows we can’t do it alone.

I have no power to produce fruit in my own strength. I might be able to muster up some love, joy, peace and patience for a little while. But, then I get that phone call that might just push me over the edge. If I am not abiding with Jesus throughout the hours of every day, I will act out of my selfishness and not what the Spirit is prodding me to do. When I display the fruits of the Spirit, it draws others to Him who become his followers as well.

May we continue to produce fruit in our lives to Glorify the Father.