Phil. 3

So many Christians begin rebuking the devil when they experience suffering. Is it possible they are overlooking the value of suffering?

Paul was well acquainted with sufferings.

• 5 times he received 39 lashes on his back
• 3 times beaten with rods
• pelted with stones once
• shipwrecked 3 times
• floated one whole day and night at sea
• subjected to numerous dangers
• hunger and thirst, hard work and sleeplessness, cold and naked

However, he discovered that he came to know Christ more fully through these sufferings. Rather than resist them, he pressed in to qualify for every opportunity to relate to the way Christ suffered for our sins.

The next time we suffer, we should think about this.

Philippians 2

As we peruse the current media tension over political and health issues, its obvious that a fear of God and reverence for His principles is lacking. Two-faced politicians will give lip-service to an appearance of godliness, but pass legislation that cuts against Biblical teachings.

It’s comforting to know that God has everything on a leash. He merely waits for the condition of civilization to align with His ultimate purposes to reveal His Greatness.

There will be a great “UNMASKING”  of His power and holiness which will compel every living person to bow their knee in submission to Him.  Likewise, every tongue will acknowledge that HE IS LORD over ALL.

Philippians 1

When faced with the consequence of life or death, Paul saw the benefit of both. He concluded that if he was to remain living, it would offer him the chance to continue “fruitful labor” in the work of the Gospel.

For any Christian who faces the end of their life, this can be their prayer … “Lord, I am willing to remain here on earth to serve You so I can continue fruitful labor for You”

If in fact Philippians was Paul’s last letter to the Church, he made his comments from a heart that was resigned to a fate left in God’s hands. Tradition relates that he may have been martyred outside of Rome in 67-8 AD. We thank God for his letters to the churches which provide so much practical wisdom for the Christian life.

Eph. 5,6

Paul reminded that it would go well with you IF you honor your father and mother.

How do we do that?

• We communicate with them frequently to see to their well-being
• We treat them with gratitude and respect, always remembering the commitment they fulfilled in raising us and the support they provided for our needs
• We live our lives in a manner that embraces the enduring values they transferred to us
• We give them acknowledgment of the positive influences they displayed for us
• We seek to impart the same values to our children
• We teach our children to honor and respect them too
• We discretely and graciously assume decision-making when they can no longer do so
• We seek their comfort and happiness when their lives near the end

If you do these things for your parents, chances are your children will do likewise.

Eph. 4

As Paul discusses the analogy that we are Christ’s body here on earth, he makes it clear that each of us has a part to play in its operation.

Can you imagine how difficult life would be without a body part?

God has given each of us a function in His Body. Your spiritual health is vital.

Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  [1 Tim. 4:8]

Eph. 2,3

Paul says our lives are being used as construction materials for God’s building where Christ is the Cornerstone. What do you do if a person you don’t get along with is placed right next to you in the wall? Since we have all come from the same mud and His Holy Love binds us together, how can we tolerate ill will towards a Christian brother or sister. If God is putting us together, who (?!*#) could be working to separate us?

Lord, help us get along.

Ephesians 1

It’s difficult for us to understand God’s control of everything, but HE can make everything conform to the purpose of His will. Does He control every decision we make? No. He gave us a free will. However, He can arrange circumstances to achieve the outcome He desires. It’s His prerogative. He created everything.

This knowledge helps us pray effectively. We can ask in faith because we know He is working everything for the good of those we pray for. For instance, imagine that God has control of all the stoplights on a busy street. He can pinpoint the time a car will arrive at it’s destination even though He wasn’t driving it. We were driving it. Still, He controlled the stoplights and provided the road, the car, the air to breathe, the sunlight to allow us to see.

He’s a big picture God but works out the littlest details in our lives to bring us to Himself.

Gal. 5,6

I need more of it. This is a fruit of the Spirit that is lacking in my life concerning eating.

Y’all pray for me.

Today I go the the doctor for a physical exam. Maybe God will speak through him to challenge my eating habits.

My friend, John Oliver, passed away from COVID-19 in a hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Please pray for his family members who will miss him greatly, especially his daughter and her family.  He’s in Heaven now. I bet the golf courses there are to his liking.

Galatians 3,4

It was difficult for Paul’s Jewish students to transition from a works basis to a faith basis. Works focused on what they could do. Faith is based on what God can do.

This is why Christ came … to show us how much God loved us and pay the penalty for our shortcomings. He did it ALL at the cross.

All through the Old Testament, God was really trying to show His people how much He loved them and what He was willing to do for them. Christ was His consummate expression of love and righteousness. We accept all that Christ did by believing in Him.

I believe.

2 Cor. 13; Galatians 1,2

In his amazing journey, Paul learned to live by faith and not by observing the Judaic law. He trusted Christ for EVERYTHING! Jesus was his righteousness, his provider, his theologian, his strength … he found everything he needed in Christ.

Christ not only provides but He leads. As we grow and mature in the Lord, we learn to discern between the pull of our lust and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Living by faith becomes a moment to moment adventurous experience. We never know what the Lord will say to us next. We live life postured to be instantly obedient to His voice. He will NEVER fail us. He will never leave us. He will never disappoint us. He will never lead us astray.