Category: Philippians

Anxiety, Attitude and Action Plan

2 Chronicles 5-6

Psalm 77

Philippians 4

-Devotion by Pastor J.J. Fletcher, son of Jeff & Karen Fletcher (MN)

Anxiety is a significant issue today. A quick Google search yields the statistics that nearly half of U.S. adults report feeling more anxious than in previous years. Nearly 20% of adults deal with some sort of anxiety disorder, and about 15% of young adults experience moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. 

Some anxiety is enhanced or brought on by various disorders, but other anxiety seems to be directly impacted by the way that we order and perceive life. 

In Philippians 4, Paul gives us an action plan for life. Our attitude can directly impact our response to people and situations. I made this point in a sermon once: Everyone annoys me… if I let them. If we’re looking for something to complain about or dislike, we’re going to find something. Paul says: Rejoice always! Look for what God is doing and find joy in that. He doubles down on that idea for emphasis. Even when chaos and pain surround: rejoice. When things are not going how you would like them: rejoice. 

Actively looking for and remembering God in our lives will directly impact our perception of reality and frame our outlook on life. Certainly, there will be difficulties, but God gives us the tools to endure.

Joyfulness doesn’t mean being “Pollyanish”; we should not ignore reality, but we can and should show a resilient life and faith through hardship and disappointment. Being reasonable (not insisting on every right or letter of law or custom, yielding, gentle, kind, courteous, tolerant – BDAG) seems to have some implications of not making everything about yourself and being mindful of others, even when you are down or suffering.

Paul says don’t be anxious. Instead, channel your struggles and disappointments into prayer. A couple of days ago, I wrote about complaining… don’t do that; rather, vent to God, tell him how you feel (respectfully), ask for wisdom and grace to deal with your situation. Ask him to work in you and work in the situation that may be pushing you toward anxiety. Peter says in 1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

Paul says that this approach will bring the peace of God, which doesn’t make sense. My caveat to this is that it doesn’t make sense to someone without faith. Yes, it transcends what our minds can handle and how we operate, but it should make sense to us who believe in a God that does supernatural things. It’s no biggie for him to change our hearts and minds and bring about a non-anxious and peaceful paradigm.

When things are going poorly or just not how we desire, it is easy to hyperfixate on our disappointments. Paul says not to do that. Look for the good in people. Look at what God has done in your life and the lives of others. If sin is at the heart of your issues, turn away from that sin and look to things that are excellent and worth paying attention to.

Finally, put your faith and training into practice. It does no good to simply be hearers of the word; we need to be doers of the word (James 1:22).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you tend to handle anxiety or situations that could potentially cause anxiety? What healthy practices have you tried and benefitted from? What unhealthy practices have you used and want to avoid?
  2. When have you hyperfixated on disappointment? What was the result? What would have been a better reaction to the disappointment – and one you will try next time?
  3. “Look for what God is doing and find joy in that.” Look carefully. What do you see God doing? With joy, thank Him.

Prayer

Dear God – I thank You for always being up to something good. We eagerly await Your perfect Kingdom, but until then, help me rest in the peace that only comes from knowing You. Help me see You at work and joyfully serve. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

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The Power of His Resurrection

2 Chronicles 3-4

Psalm 77

Philippians 3

-devotion written by Pastor Jeff Fletcher and posted for SeekGrowLove on August 23, 2023 – Pastor Fletcher died last November and is awaiting the return of his Lord Jesus Christ and the amazing resurrection of the dead – what a day that will be!

            “There Ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down.  When I hear that trumpet sound, gonna rise right outta the ground. There Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.”  I love hearing Johnny Cash sing that song with his old, gravelly voice.  He recorded it not long before he died.  I imagine he was thinking a lot about death at that point in his life.  Most old people do think about death.  And most young people I know don’t think much about death.  We all know vaguely that we are mortal and that one day, somewhere far down the road we will have to face our own death, but we usually try to distract ourselves from the reality of death by thinking about other things.  In his Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Denial of Death, Ernest Becker wrote: “Modern man is drinking and drugging himself out of awareness…”. I think that’s pretty accurate.

            Personally, I never thought much about my own death until I was diagnosed with cancer 7 years ago (I’m still here).  Cancer doesn’t automatically mean you are going to die, in fact, the majority of people with cancer do not die from cancer, at least not right away.  There are many treatments to delay or send many cancers into remission.  But I can tell you from experience when you hear the word cancer it does make you at least think about death, not just as a remote possibility but as something that you will actually have to experience someday.  I imagine an accident or other near-death experience will do the same thing.  PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) can be caused by exposure to death or fear of dying.

            People deal with the fear of death in a variety of ways. One approach goes back to the time of Epicurus 300 BC who taught that there was no judgment or afterlife.  When you die you simply cease to exist.  There is no future reward beyond this life, and there is no fear of future punishment.  Modern day atheism has embraced this approach to death.  Another common approach to dealing with death is the denial of death by believing in the natural immortality of the soul.  We are all immortal by nature.  Our bodies die but our souls are immortal and when our bodies die our souls live on in another place like heaven or hell or come back in another form, reincarnation.

            The Apostle Paul offers a third, biblically consistent, and hope-filled understanding of death.  We are mortal by nature, not immortal.  Death is a reality, but it does not have to be the final reality.  In Christ there is the hope of the resurrection from the dead.  Just as Christ died and went to the grave and on the third day was raised from the dead (in the same way that Jesus had previously raised Lazarus from the dead) Paul hoped that in Christ he too might attain the “resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:11 NRSV). 

            Paul’s hope was that his savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who is currently in heaven will come and transform “the body of our humiliation” (Phil 3:21) into a glorious body like Jesus is today.  Paul’s term “the body of our humiliation” can also be translated as “of low estate” or even “vile”.  In my work at a hospital chaplain, I am daily acquainted with how our bodies suffer decay and corruption.  When people are sick the fragility of their bodies is exposed.  The fragility of Jesus’ body was also exposed in his crucifixion.  Ultimately, our fragile bodies will suffer disease, injury, and slow decay and we will die.  But our hope in Jesus Christ is that he will come again and raise our bodies up in glory, in bodies that are no longer corrupt and subject to death.   This is our blessed hope.

            For Paul there was a daily awareness that he had not yet arrived at the fullness of the resurrected body, that will only happen when Christ comes at the end of this age.  So for now Paul’s focus was to “press on” (Philippians 3:12) or “strain forward” (3:13).  It gives us the image of a runner keeping his eye on the finish line.  Paul is saying “keep your eye on the prize”.

            Paul contrasts this way of being with those whom he says live as though they were “the enemies of Christ”.  Their gods are earthly things (their belly or human appetites- 3:19).  Paul makes their end clear – destruction (3:19).  For Paul, humans are mortal, death is a reality that we will all face one day. For those who make themselves an enemy of Christ by rejecting him and making their own appetites their gods, the end is final destruction.  But for those who put their hope in Jesus Christ, whom God raised from the dead, their hope is to be raised up from among the dead to be transformed into a glorious body like Jesus has been transformed into at his resurrection.  A body that is not corruptible and cannot die.  They will be clothed in immortality by Jesus upon his return from heaven.

            I hope that you, like Paul and like me and countless other believers, trust in Jesus Christ and keep pressing on to follow him.  Keep your eye on the prize.

            “There Ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave, gonna hold my body down.  When I hear that trumpet sound, gonna rise right outta the ground. There Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.”

-Jeff Fletcher

Reflection Questions:

  1.  What value can you see in understanding the reality of death and the hope of bodily resurrection at the return of Christ as opposed to the no hope of life after death or the natural immortality of the soul?
  2. Paul named those who were doomed for destruction as those whose gods were their belly/appetites.  What might you name as other appetites/gods of people today?  In what ways do pursuing those gods lead to destruction?
  3. What does the promise of resurrection from the dead reveal to us about God’s character and plan for the world?  What difference does that make in your life?

Prayer

Dear God Almighty, I praise You for Your power and Your plan. What a good God You are! I thank You for Your Son Jesus who teaches us still today, who provided a way for us to draw near to You, who died for us, and You rose from the dead. Thank you for those like Paul, and Jeff, and so many others who have and are faithfully speaking Your words and preparing others for life, death, resurrection and a coming perfect Kingdom with You. Help me, too, to press on, to be ready and to actively share the good news with others. In Your Son’s name I pray.

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I Am NOT More Significant

2 Chronicles 1-2

Psalm 76

Philippians 2

-Devotion by JJ Fletcher (MN)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

(Philippians 2:3 ESV)

Be humble. Paul says to count others as more important than yourselves. Selfish ambition and conceit have no place in a life of faith. Jesus doesn’t try to bypass God’s will and establish the Kingdom in his own timing; rather, he understands God’s redemption plan and the need for his sacrifice. He puts the lives of his friends and the future of the church ahead of his desire to escape pain. Succinctly put, he counted others as more important than himself. Contemplate what putting this into practice looks like day by day.

Don’t grumble. This may be hard to grasp, but grumbling and complaining are not spiritual gifts. I jest (kind of…), but if you have been around people for any length of time, even in the church, you have heard someone complain. Some people seemingly enjoy complaining or feel like it is their duty to point out everything that is “wrong” (maybe they were never taught how to channel those thoughts in a constructive way).

Sometimes we grumble and complain when things are tough and unpleasant, but other times we complain because we don’t like the way something is done. Maybe it’s due to our preferences, or maybe it’s because we think we could have done better (i.e., pride). Whatever the case may be, we should not be going through life with our default being set to complain about everything that does not go our way.  

There are tons of things that I don’t like. I don’t like Mondays; I don’t like it to be over 72 degrees outside, and I am not enamored by the chorus “As the Deer”. Whether it is the weather, the way we feel about starting our work week (also, what is a weekend?), or our worship preferences, we are responsible for how we conduct ourselves: our attitudes, our actions, our responses to all stimuli. I can choose to roll my eyes or be grumpy, or I can choose to have a good attitude. 

One mind. Paul’s desire is for the body to be of one mind. Being of one mind, Paul wants us to have the same mindset as Jesus. As we strive to work, worship, and live in unity, we should be following his examples of humility and conduct.

Fear and trembling. Paul says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. All parts of our lives should be evaluated under this primary question: “Does this honor and glorify God?” This should impact our theology, our church structure, and our conduct toward others. There are lots of ways to live out our faith; some ways are correct, and some are not, but some are just flat out different than others and are equally useful for bringing God glory. 

Reflection Questions:

How does my behavior reflect my faith?

What message does grumbling and complaining send?

How can we effectively navigate disagreements in churches and in other areas of our lives?

What does having one mind look like in practical terms?

Prayer

Dear God – You have so much You could complain about me. Forgive me for the times I am proud, selfish and complaining. I want to have the mind of Christ. Help me see myself and others as You want me to. Help me catch when I am going in the wrong direction and make the changes necessary to be pleasing to You in my attitude, words and actions.

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Distracting Distractions

Philippians 3-4

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (OH)

Let’s talk about distractions. One of my greatest frustrations and fears while driving is distracted drivers. I feel a bit ridiculous when I say things like, “It didn’t used to be like this,” with the unsaid “back in my day” hanging uncomfortably in the air.  But it’s true. I started driving before cell phones, screens in cars, and most other technology that might take my attention from the road. But now I can’t go anywhere without being cut off or having to swerve my car out of the way of someone crossing that center line. I notice it even more now that I’m teaching my daughter to drive. It’s terrifying. 

Speaking of teenage daughters, it seems every time I give them a task and come back later to see it is not done, the response is always, “I got distracted.” I’m just as guilty. We all are. We are a distracted society. 

I had to read through these two chapters a few times, trying to decide where I wanted to focus this devotion. What was God trying to tell me here? But I saw a common theme that I’ve never noticed before, and it was distractions. 

Paul talks first about being too focused on our own past and on ourselves. We get so wrapped up in everything we’ve done and said that we lose sight of the fact that none of that matters. Pride or shame sets in. Paul lists why he had every reason to be proud of who he was and where he came from, but that it all meant nothing. We get distracted by ourselves and are no longer focused on a relationship with the only one who can actually save us. Paul tells us in 3:13, “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” Don’t get distracted by the past or yourself but push on toward Christ. 

Next, we are distracted by worldly people and their ways. He says in 3:17, “keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Stop trying to be like those of the world and surround yourselves instead with Christ-like examples. Stop trying to impress those that don’t matter with what you wear, what you do, and what you say. Reserve your attention and your actions for Christ and his message. 

And, finally, my personal favorite distraction – anxiety. Whether you worry about everything, or overthink, or are overly concerned with what others think or do – all distractions. Paul tells us what to focus on instead: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” 

Reflection Questions: 

What is distracting you from a real relationship with Christ? What attitude within yourself should you change? What habits should you destroy and with what should you replace them? 

What are some true, noble, pure, and praiseworthy things you should be focused on and how can you shift your attention toward them more often?

Prayer: 

My prayer for you today is that you are able to pick out distractions in your life and burn them away. I pray that you have a closer relationship with Christ and that it outshines everything else. Like Paul said,  “…press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Press on and focus on Jesus. 

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A Slippery Sin

Philippians 1-2

Devotion by Jenn Haynes (OH)

One of the sins that always frightens me most is the sin of pride. It’s slippery and hard to recognize because one of the symptoms of this particular sin is the inability to see a fault in ourselves. I’ve seen many people who claim humility – they are quick to point out their easily recognized flaws and will readily acknowledge when someone else is better than them at something that they are terrible at. I think of that as easy humility. It’s a quick reassurance to ourselves that we are not guilty of the terrible sin of pride. It makes us feel better about ourselves and our attitudes.

But pride doesn’t have to show up in every aspect of our lives. You can be humble about your skills playing an instrument, while still being enmeshed in pride in some other area. Sometimes pride disguises itself. For example, not seeking counsel because you believe you already have the answers? Pride. Insisting on things being done a certain way because you think it is the RIGHT way, when really it’s just the way you PREFER? Pride.

Philippians 2:3-4 says:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

It’s an easy thing to say. I bet most of us think we already place others before us. We serve others, we give of our time and resources, we pray over their needs. But Paul calls us to do more than this. He says do NOTHING out of selfish ambition or conceit. 

We all have agendas. We all have goals. Do every single one of our agendas and goals look out for the interest of others? I know mine don’t always. I struggle with shopping for gifts for others because I keep seeing things I would like to get myself! We are trained by the world to look out for ourselves! We must do what is best for ourselves! 

Let’s be clear – God wants you to take care of yourself and do good things for yourself as well. But in this letter Paul is talking to the church as a whole and to the people working within that church. We, as a body of Christ, are to be working together in complete humility, putting others before ourselves. I’ve had to say many times, both to myself and to others, “This isn’t about you.” 

Because it’s not. None of this is about you. The types of songs we sing in worship. How we conduct meetings. How the furniture is arranged. How we do prayer requests or announcements. What type of public events we hold. I could go on. None of those things are about you. 

We have one mission as a church. We are to live and serve like Christ. We are to go and make disciples, baptize, teach, serve, and love. We are to do Christ’s work, and not once did Jesus ever put his own agenda before God’s agenda. He was the ultimate example of what it looks like to put God’s will before our own. 

Reflection Questions: 

Where are you guilty of pride? Don’t stop at the easy answers either. Look deep. Do you find yourself getting frustrated over people in church doing things “the wrong way” when really it’s just not the way you would do them? Do you find yourself not asking for counsel in an issue because you think you already have the answer? Do you find yourself not praying over decisions?

What areas of your life would look different if you put others before yourself? What areas of your church would look different if you put others before yourself? (Note that I didn’t ask what areas would look different if OTHERS were more humble or selfless. We are looking just at ourselves, so don’t start down that dangerous path.)

Prayer:

My prayer for you is that our church bodies be united in humility to do Jesus’ work. I pray that we are able to keep the slippery sin of pride far away from us. I pray that others are able to see Jesus Christ in us because we are continually showing them love and putting them first above ourselves.

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Together in Christ

Old Testament: 2 Kings 24-25

Poetry: Psalm 89

New Testament: Philippians 2

The second chapter of Philippians is a lesson in unity and behavior. 

Conflict happens. Any time there are people gathered, there will be a difference in thinking. God gave us beautiful brains and the ability to reason and rationalize in different ways. He blessed us with the ability to form opinions. And those opinions are bound to differ. 

Too often, though, we give our own opinions too much power. We allow them to shoulder their way into our relationships with great force and little apology and we let them overshadow the important things like love, compassion, tenderness, and humility. 

Humility. It’s such an underrated quality in society. But which is more important: having your way, or being more Christ-like? Sounds like an easy answer, but it’s SO DIFFICULT to practice. 

Have you ever allowed your opinions too much power? Have they ever kept you from displaying the humility of Christ? Is there a current relationship that could be improved if you showed more humility in the name of Jesus? 

Verses 1-4 lay out such a heartfelt plea from Paul to the believers in Philippi. He begs them to be united. 

He tells them, and now us, that if we have any blessings from being united with Christ, from his grace and his salvation, then we must be united with each other as believers. Value others above ourselves. We must lay our opinions to the side and focus on our job as Christians: to show others Christ and further his message. 

In verses 5-11 he lays out the mindset of Jesus Christ – the one who had the ability to ask anything of God and have it granted to him, but instead chose to make himself a servant to others. Because Jesus loved that hard. 

I lay aside my own opinions and preferences for my family all the time. It’s easy because I love them more than I love myself. I frequently do the same for my friends. But what about the church member or coworker or acquaintance or family member that I find “difficult”? Am I so willing to lay aside my opinions or preferences on how things “should be done” for them? Are you? 

 And yet that is what Christ asks of us. As a church body we are called to unite. And so many churches and Christians struggle with this. I struggle. I struggle so hard. When I should be loving hard. Like Jesus. 

Do you get distracted by doing things your way? Does your method really matter in the grand scheme of spreading the gospel message? What relationships could be improved if you showed more humility? How could your faith and relationships be better if you placed Furthering the Kingdom over Getting Your Way? 

Verses 12-30 sting a little bit for me. “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” I like to call it “venting” but it’s really complaining. And I’m told not to. We are called to be united as Christ followers so that when we are out in this wicked world we can “shine among them like stars in the sky.” 

The world is full of darkness and we are called to be stars. Paul asks us to show others love and humility, like Timothy and Epaphroditus. He asks that rather than look after our own interests, we look after the interests of Jesus Christ. 

That’s so powerful: look after the interests of Jesus Christ. 

My prayer for you today is that you are able to examine your relationships with others in full humility and see how you can place others before yourselves. I pray that we, as believers, can interact with one another in a way that will show the world Jesus Christ. I pray that we can all stop letting our differences get in the way of our purpose, and that we would instead focus on furthering the gospel message in unity. Blessings and love from your sister in Christ! 

-Jenn Haynes

Reflection Questions Given aBove

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Furthering the Gospel Message

Old Testament: 2 Kings 23

Poetry: Psalm 88

New Testament: Philippians 1

I sat down several times to work on this devotion today. Every time I distracted myself. I struggle, often, to stay on task, as I’m sure many people do. There are just so many different things I can focus on! I stopped again just now and distracted myself by recounting all the things I did this morning rather than write this. 

Back to the topic at hand: Staying On Topic. The first chapter of Philippians (one of my FAVORITE books) is full of love and encouragement toward people that desperately need it. And Paul (who is imprisoned) gets right to the point: Their focus should be on spreading the gospel message. 

Verses 1- 14: Paul loves these people. Carrying on in ministry is not a job one accomplishes alone. We draw on each other for strength and encouragement. He loves his brothers and sisters in Christ and prays over them. 

Stop for a moment and pray over your brothers and sisters in Christ. Pray blessings over them, particularly the ones who might feel discouraged. Who can you reach out to encourage today as Paul is doing here? 

Paul says his imprisonment is to be celebrated because he has been able to spread the message of Jesus Christ. In this he acknowledges that in all of our circumstances and trials, we are to use our lives as a testimony.

Ask yourself what trials or difficult circumstances you are experiencing at present. How can you use this as a testimony to others? How are you displaying Christ? How can you do it better? 

Verses 15-26: Paul cuts to the heart of the matter, and asks that his friends ignore motives for just a moment. Who can judge the heart but God, after all? Their focus, and ours, should be on one important mission: that the gospel of Jesus Christ be spread. Nothing. Else. Matters. 

Yes, the present life is difficult. Yes there are people out there trying to create harm, trying to make circumstances worse for Paul. But we must keep our focus on spreading the gospel. And any time the Good News is shared in ANY way, we are to rejoice!  

“In every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.” 

Do you get sidetracked, sometimes, worrying about the motives of others? I know I do. I’m frequently suspicious. And I must force myself to ask, as Paul does, “What does it matter?” So long as the gospel message is preached, I should rejoice. 

Verses 27-30: Paul encourages the Philippian church to stay on track. No matter what happens, be concerned first that the gospel is preached in your words and in your actions. Don’t be distracted by those who oppose you or by those who may have false intentions. Live a life that glorifies Christ and spreads the message of the kingdom.

Are you distracted by the negative voices and actions in your life? Have you lost focus? The gospel of Christ is first!  Are you conducting yourself “in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”? What adjustments do you need to make in your life to be a better representative of the kingdom? 

As your sister in Christ, I’m praying over you now that you find encouragement in whatever your situation is. I pray that you are able to defend and confirm the gospel in your actions and your words. I pray that you find support in your fellow believers to continue on in your important task of spreading Christ Jesus to others, and that you do so without distraction! Let’s continue to advance the gospel together. I love you!

-Jenn Haynes

Reflection Questions

  1. See above – lots of great questions in Jenn’s devotion
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To Wander or To Dwell

Philippians 4

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Our minds wander. We can’t help it. Our brain is processing hundreds or even thousands of stimuli a minute through our fantastic five senses. In the midst of a great conversation, a beautifully delivered sermon, the most engaging of lessons, or important advice, we can be interrupted by a stimulus that snowballs into full-blown distraction.  It begins with the slightest tinge of pain, a quick movement entering peripherals, a muted rapping, a whiff of a smoke, or an unexpected bitter flavor rolling across our tongue.  Our mind goes into troubleshooting mode.  It begins to play out all of the possible threads to a perceived threat and searches for the worst case scenario, so it can prepare the nervous system to react.  We place much trust in our senses but in turn, we create narratives that do not exist in order to protect our bodies from ill-perceived observation.

When we allow the responses to take over, we are experiencing, on some level, psychosis. The lines between what is fact and fiction begin to blur.  We begin to believe lies and have adulterated perceptions.  We begin to live in the dark and the undesirable.  We begin to worship terrible and disgraceful moments we have self-induced.  We think about such things, and replay them over and over again, fiction becoming “our” truth.   I know it because I have been there. On my darkest days, I contort and twist every action into a gospel of fear, pain, and anxiety.  Wandering minds, when not properly anchored to Christ, can be our undoing.  First, and foremost, if we are in this place, we must pray for God to guard our hearts and quiet our minds.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” 1 Philippians 4:7-9

Don’t take the bait.  Don’t respond to the stimulus.  Instead, plant your feet even deeper into the foundation of Jesus Christ and stay.  Dwell here, rent free.  What is true? You are first and foremost loved by God.  The Creator of the heavens and the earth is the Creator of your very life.  You declare God with your very existence because he has fearfully and wonderfully made YOU (Psalm 139:14).  What is pure? The blood of Christ has sanctified you.  While there may be sin in your life, you are washed white as snow through repentance.  There is no sin greater than the Lamb of God’s sacrifice.  (Romans 3:23-24)  What is noble? You have an inheritance that makes you a royal priesthood.  You are from an adopted bloodline that will reign alongside Christ. (Revelation 5:10)  What is lovely? How beautiful are your feet when you bring Good News, proclaiming that your God reigns and brings living peace in the midst of the tumult of life (Isaiah 52:7) What is admirable?  You have not laid your eyes on Jesus, and therefore, you are greatly blessed for your belief (John 20:29)  What is excellent and worthy of praise? On my worst days, God confronts me.  He loves and comforts me.  He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.  He doesn’t take His promises from me.  I can walk through the darkest valley.  Hit rock bottom.  And guess who’s there?  My God.  (Psalm 23) He doesn’t see me for my shortcomings. He loves the faithful, but equally loves the prodigal (Luke 15:22-24).  He is the shepherd to the ninety-nine and the one (Matt 18:12).  Do not be deceived by your senses or your wanderings.  Let your mind dwell only on these things.

-Aaron Winner

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

  1. When has being led by your thoughts and feelings and senses led you into a troubled place? Do you often tend toward anxious thoughts? What has helped you in the past?
  2. How do you rate at bringing every situation before God in prayer and petition and with thanksgiving?
  3. What do you let your mind dwell on?
  4. What does the world say is the secret to peace? What does God say?
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Update Your Status

Philippians 3

Monday, August 22, 2022

Paul had more religious credentials than any of the original twelve apostles of Christ.  His resume started in his infancy.  He was circumcised on the eighth day, his family strictly adhering to God’s rule.  His heritage came from the tribe of Benjamin, who were faithful warriors of God.  He was disciplined and studious, becoming a Pharisee. He passionately persecuted the church, having a direct hand in the stoning of Stephen. In so doing, he obtained and maintained a fleshly status that would easily make him an important member of the Sanhedrin in no time.  But that’s all it was.  Someone who lived with a long list of labels, accomplishments, and titles, but ultimately, will be a victim of the same death as those who live without them.

“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”  Philippians 3:4b-6

Status, which once was predetermined by feudal, caste, tribal or class systems, is now something that changes with our emotions or musings. Our connotation of the word has changed with the invention of social media..  The evolution of “status-ifying” oneself, has led to the rapid (d)evolution of a crushing identity problem.  Occupation, education, pronouns, history, trauma, gender, race, family, and religion have become our most featured bullet points. We become these things or sometimes, these identities are thrust upon us.  As unpopular as this messaging may be in my place and time, the words of Paul still ring true: It’s all garbage.  Every. Single. Bit.  Anything that doesn’t have eternal value is a name or stigma I no longer bear under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”  Philippians 3:7-9

We are not simply made righteous by calling ourselves Christian.  Neither are we made holy because we’re a good mom, dad, or child.  Nor are we not justified because of our bloodline or heritage.  And we are not forgiven because we found a new definition for the same old sin. We are “status-ified” by Christ. So, what exactly is it?  We are, through faith, redeemed and adopted Children of God. It is not our first status.  It is our ONLY status. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul states there isn’t slave, free, man, woman, Jew, or Greek, meaning every title, other than that achieved through faith in Jesus Christ, is negligible, conditional, or temporary, — even dead. When we acknowledge him, He grabs hold of us and doesn’t let go. His Father calls us to resurrection and the treasure that is stored in heaven, ready to descend with the promised return of Jesus Christ, and on that day, there is only one group placed in the Lamb’s Book of Life: those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ.  Hit the refresh button, and take a good, long look.  It might be time to update your status.

“I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10,11

-Aaron Winner

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

  1. IF you were to follow the ways of the world what COULD you use to give yourself status?
  2. What is the eternal value of each item you listed in question 1?
  3. What will/does it look like to reorder your life to gain Christ instead?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload

Walk in Humility

Philippians 2

Sunday, August 21, 2022

For many of us, the last few weeks we have been reestablishing our school time routines.  The lackadaisical jazz of summer has transitioned into the tight structure of a concert march. Alarms begin to sound once more and the the score begins. Many times, my day begins with a morning run.  I pride myself in the ability to time this run in such a way that I squeeze in all my other to-dos before the school day (like shower, pack, dress, eat breakfast) and be in the school building with a minute to spare.  Everything was again like clockwork – run, shower, pack, breakfast – until I had an important realization as I crossed the threshold of the school door and met the flow of air streaming from the vent:  I had not stopped sweating since my run.  My body still thought it was summer.  My shirt was now mostly covered in sweat, and it didn’t show signs of slowing.  I walked down the hallway, was questioned multiple times about the appearance of showering in my shirt, but I was committed to going about my day with a sweat-filled shirt and a pride-filled attitude.  Fortunately, through the insistence of an administrator, I took up the offer of a sweat-free replacement. I finally humbled myself, and let my pride go.

Humility comes easier when you are sweating through your shirt with nothing else to wear, but it is more difficult to be humble when you’re on top.  You’re in charge.  You’re the boss. You’re the expert. You’re the best. When you have a history of achieving or exceeding large and meaningful goals. We beam with pride because we feel we “are” or “have” something. When our ego wins, we make a case for why we are better than others. We expect God to acknowledge us more, and when he doesn’t, oftentimes, we deny Him completely, becoming our own god, roleplaying as the savior, the judge, and the ultimate source of “being” in our own life. Pride becomes our sweat-filled shirt – it’s not a good look.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit [vainglory]. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:3-5

If there was anyone to ever walk upon this earth with pride, it should have been Jesus Christ.  He is the closest to God a human will ever get, yet “being in the form of God, he didn’t see equality with God as something to be grasped.” (Philippians 2:6) Here is the deepest of theologies about the nature and relationship of Jesus Christ to his Father.  Jesus Christ serves God Almighty alone, and we should do the same (see: the greatest commandment, Matt 22:37,38)   Jesus didn’t care he was viewed as an amatuer by many of the Pharisees. Who cares? He didn’t identify himself in the status in the company he kept.  Not on his radar  All he could lay his eyes upon was in his grasp. (Matt 4:8,9) He flatly refused.  He had a critical role to play for our Heavenly Father.  He chose humility, a life of service, knowing that His Father exalts those who humble themselves to His will, and also humbles those who choose to lift themselves higher than others (Luke 14:11; Phil 2:9-11)

Likewise, we are called and mandated to be humble. Less of me and less of you until only Jesus remains. How do we do this? In all our ways acknowledge Him (Prov 3:6), but are ready to give up time, effort, energy (life) for someone else (Matt 20:28) so they may know the Kingdom of God.  We can still be ambitious, but it must be driven by God, not simply a feather in the cap or degree on the wall. We can look for glory, but it is bestowed upon our heavenly Father, not to us. We must be on our knees, known more for the top of our head than the self-satisfaction of our face. We must minister to those who can give us no status or possessions in return, only a life given over to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are to walk in humility, no longer run away with our pride.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12,13

-Aaron Winner

Questions for Reflection

  1. When does your pride and ego prevent you from being Christ-like?
  2. Would you rather humble yourself before God or be humbled by God?
  3. How can you fix prideful attitudes?
2022 SeekGrowLove Bible Reading PlanDownload