Phil2

Who's interest are you most concerned about? Yourself, other's or God's?  It seems as though most people have this concept totally upside-down.

We all know that thinking about ourselves is easy.  It comes natural and we are always aware of what we "want".  Generally we think about others as it relates to us.  Since we primarily think about ourself, others come into play as far as they effect our well being. 

It is the same way with God.  Most people pursue God only as far as they believe He will benefit them.  Their whole purpose in following God is so that their lives will be better.  Rarely have I met a christian who pursues God because He is God!

Think about the implications of this!  Two words come to my mind: Pride and Selfishness.  Is this the way that Jesus lived?  Is this the path to knowing and honoring God?  I think not.

Last chapter Paul said, "Just one thing: Live worthy of the gospel."  This chapter says, "Live for God first, others second and yourself last."  We really need to get it right.

Phil1

"I am always praying with joy for all of you!" How would you like to be able to say that to everyone you know?  That was Paul's MO.

Paul was definitely a man of prayer and I believe the reason he was able to influence so many was that he continually, always and constantly was praying for people in his life. 

I think it is Max Lacado that said, "When we pray, God works."  I am praying for you today.  I am praying that God will have His way in your life.

Eph6

The day you wake up thinking you don't need to put on the armor of God is the day you get destroyed in the battle!!  Put it on.  All of it.

Have you ever noticed that Paul begins with TRUTH!  Jesus was full of grace and truth.  Without truth the battle will be lost. Secondly we have RIGHTEOUSNESS.  We know that there is none of that apart from Christ.  Self-righteous is pride and God resist the proud.  We are to lean into the relationship we have with Jesus. Third, the GOSPEL OF PEACE.  Everyone is a enemy of God without the gospel.  We are to be peace makers.  But to be at peace with God is to be at war with Satan.  FAITH is our shield.  Without it we cannot stand the onslaught of attack.  Our HELMET IS SALVATION, and we all know that helmets protect us when we fall. And finally, we have the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT which is the WORD OF GOD.  We are without weapon in battle without the scriptures.  

Gear up today!  There is a war going on.

Eph5

"Don't participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them." - Paul

Paul is serious about dealing with sin.  Especially sexual sin.  It is so secretive and shameful and it causes many to fall by the wayside.  

He said, "sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you."  He challenged us to live a life of love.  Thinking about pleasing God and others should be our focus today.

Read it here. 

Eph4

Have you ever read a chapter or verse of the Bible and knew it was meant for you in the very moment you are living? Today is that day for me.  I love the Word of God!!!!

Walking worthy of Christ is impossible!  We will never be "worthy" but we are to be "walking" the path that Jesus has blazed for us.  Notice the first three qualities we are to have...gentleness, patience, acceptance.  Hmm.  Would those be the qualities that describe you?  Generally that is not me.

When it comes to truth, we are definitely to speak it!  Yet notice the method in which we are to speak truth... in love.  When love is not motivating our words we probably should shut up.  How much would you talk if love was always the motivator?  I would say far less.

The most powerful thing in this chapter for me though was vs. 25.  "Since you put away lying..."  Paul was acknowledging that the thing that keeps us from walking worthy begins with truth.  Truth living and truth speaking.  When we choose to speak or live in lies, we live in utter futility.

Read it here.

Eph3

Paul's prayer for you today is found in this chapter vs. 14-19.  His greatest desire is that we could comprehend the unfathomable riches of the love of God!  It is also my prayer for us.

Read it here.

Eph2

God chooses us and provides the grace we need to respond to His choosing.  Unbelievable verse 2:8-9.

Read it here.

Eph1

When the Bible speaks of God's election, does it: 1. Give you comfort? 2. Cause you to question?, or 3. Make you afraid?

This book clearly states that God is the one who saves.  It is His doing.  It is His choice.  If you know HIm, it is by His grace and it should bring you comfort.

Walk in a manner pleasing to Him.  He has chosen you.

Read it here.

Gal6

Every time a true Christ follower falls to sin, I am drawn to this chapter.  It gives great guidance as to what and how to be helpful.  It is one of the most powerful chapters in the whole bible.

Caught does not mean "discovered".  It actually means "overtaken." We all struggle with sin and there will be times when it "catches" us.  We are literally overcome with whatever it is.  

Generally, when I find out someone is in sin, I immediately want to distance myself from them; especially if they are close to me.  (We have all felt the pain of someone close to us failing in a horrible way.) This passage says that I should do the opposite of that!  My goal should be to "restore" them.  My method should be "gentle".

It is amazing how often God's ideas are the opposite of mine.  My method would be to "kick the sinner to the curb" and to do it "with anger and hurt".  That method would eventually make me the next victim and would keep me from wanting to be honest about my sin...ever!

Who needs to be gently restored today?

read it here.

troy

Gal5

Christ has set you free from sin. Never use your freedom as an opportunity to sin.  Who would you become if there were no consequences for sin?  In Christ we are set free from sins bondage, but if that creates an even greater desire for sin, we have missed the whole gospel.

Yes, heaven awaits every sinful believer.  There is no other kind of believer! But if Christ hasn't made a difference in the degree, amount and desires you have toward sin....you are NOT a believer.

Evaluate your faith through the lens of your desire and activity when it comes to sin.  Test yourself.

Read it here.

Gal4

We are the adopted children of God! As children, we are heirs of all of His promises.  Live like children of God today.

Read it here.

Gal.3

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to know God and it is by Him that we can live for God.  Salvation comes through the Spirit and walking with Jesus is through obedience to that same Holy Spirit.

Read it here.

_

Gal. 2

Even the apostle Peter needed correction in his journey with Christ.  Jesus does not expect us to never blow it.  He only expects us to acknowledge when we do and come back to Him.

It was a bold move for Paul to confront Peter with his sin.  Peter was not the kind of guy who would have been easy to confront.  Nor was he without following and leadership!  It was not on the level of Nathan and David, but it was a pretty big deal.

I wonder how nervous Paul was?  I hope if someone knows about sin in my life that they will love me enough to confront me.  Even if it is hard.

read it here.

Gal. 1

Have you been rescued from this present evil age?  According to Paul, this was the reason Jesus died...to rescue us!

It is shark week!  When people who were attacked by sharks talk about being rescued, they have an intensity and gratitude that few christians have toward Christ.  

In this case, the rescuer is Christ.  The shark is sin. And we are the rescued!  Experience the happiness of being rescued today from the thing that will not only tear you up from the inside out, but will destroy your eternal life! 

Live as a rescued person today.

Read it here.

2Co13

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to "test themselves" to see if they were true believers.  He was urging them to seriously ask the question, "Is Christ in me?"  My question is, "What are the 2 Corinthian test questions?"

Consider these:

1. Do you experience the conviction of God's Spirit when you sin?

2. Are you living your life to please God?

3. Is there evidence of change in your life because of Christ?

4. Have you lost your desire to "fit in" with a sinful culture?

5. Are you repentant when you sin?

6. Are you generous toward God with your money and resources?

7. Do trials in your life draw you closer to God?

All of these questions come directly from 2 Corinthians and would be at least a sample of what Paul was referring to.

Test yourself.  How did you do?

Read it here.

2Co12

There is nothing better than supporting your kids when they are doing well.  There is nothing worse than giving to children who waste what you have given! - Paul

When Paul addressed the Corinthians, he commented that he would "most gladly spend and spend for them".  He was saying that nothing gives him more joy than to invest in his children and to encourage them to do well.

On the other hand, Paul feared that some of the Corinthians would still be living in their sin and unrepentant.  He says that his investment in their lives would cause him grief and heartache.

I want to be a good investment for anyone who pours themselves out for me.  God help me be the kind of man who is repentant and radically dealing with sin in my life.

Read it here.

2Co11

Have you ever suffered anything because of Christ?  All my suffering has been because of sin...usually my sin.

Verse three is an awesome challenge.  Our minds should not be distracted from the pure undivided devotion to Jesus.  It is a challenge to redirect our minds this way.

Read it here.

2Co10

When we compare ourselves to each other, we lack understanding.  We should focus on Jesus and get to work. -  Apostle Paul

Read it here.

2Co9

Would you describe your relationship with Christ as "an indescribable gift"?  Paul, when thinking about the generosity of others, was reminded of how much Jesus had given Him.

When we meditate on what we have been given in Christ, rather than on what we we don't have, our attitude will reflect the gospel.  Last night we were without power.  We talked to the workers who were working late into the night and asked, "How much longer until we get power?"  Unbelievably, we would have to wait 5-7 hrs!

After thinking about our situation last night, I was again bummed at how quickly I respond wrongly.  What I should have said to the workers was, "Thank you so much for working to restore our power.  I can't believe you have to work in the middle of the night.  My family is very grateful."

That would have been a better response.

Read it here.

2Cor8

Excel in the "grace of generosity".  Since grace is the expression of Jesus, "generously" would be the only adverb that would possibly fit with grace.  Are you stingy with your giving?

Read it here.

2Co7

When you sin, don't cover it up! The conviction you feel is an opportunity to confess to God.  Godly grief produces repentance, worldly sorry produces death.

Paul had no problems making others feel bad!  The question is, does the grieving produce what God wants in your life?  God has given us a conscience and when we have the Holy Spirit to convict from within, all we need is to obey.

Use the conviction to turn to God today.  Covering sin only leads to death.

Read it here.

2Co5

If someone dies so that you can live, you should feel indebted to them.  If the one who died also took a judgement that you deserved, so you could be free from judgement, you should live for Him.

Just saying.

Read it here.

2Co4

Walk in the freedom of the light and not in the shadows of secret sin!  Secret sin kills our ability to connect with God and others.  

It seems like every day someone else has fallen prey to a secret sin.  Everyone struggles with sin.  Everyone.  It is when we choose to cover our sin and to leave it unconfessed that it begins the cancer from within.

Paul said his body  was being destroyed but not from the inside.  On the inside he was being renewed day by day.  Unconfessed sin kills from the inside out.

Read it here.