We received Christ freely by grace, but we forget to live according to that same amazing grace. We come to Christ totally dependent on Him for salvation, but then we attempt to live for Him with human effort, which leads to frustration, burnout, and lack of joy. We say, “I will do this great thing for God.” When we should be asking as servants, “What do you want of me today Master?”
This is one of the four Christological pillars found in the New Testament (Others are John 1:1-18, Phil. 2:5-11, Heb. 1:1-4). Do you want to catch a glimpse of the invisible God? Then, look at Jesus. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus replied, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). Do you know this song?
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”
Are you worried about increasing wickedness in the world? Do you envy the prosperity of the godless? Worry and envy won’t help! Entrust these things to God who holds the future. Then, live in such a way that the light of Christ within you shines in this darkness.
Paul knew that he belonged to Christ, yet he pursued knowing all of Christ that belonged to him. We come to Christ saying, “I am His and He is mine.” Yet, we don’t fully understand either. Perhaps we partially grasp that we are His to some degree. But that Christ is ours, is mine? That all that Christ is and owns is now mine? His love, His wisdom, His relationship with the Father, His future in heaven, His resurrection, His … all mine? Like Paul, “I press on to make it my own.”
Paul commended Timothy to the Philippians, saying “I have no one like him.” Through the years of ministry together, Timothy had proven himself as one who really sought Jesus in all things. Paul had seen enough of those so-called ministers who were really in it for their own interests. I wonder what Paul would think of our ministry? More importantly, what does Jesus think? Are we seeking His interest in all things, … or our own?
We are born with muscles that God created for us to have. Yet, it is up to us to work them out. Spiritually, when we receive salvation, God begins a new work in us, so that we are born again. In this new birth we yield to God’s work in us by working it out. We can depend on God’s power not only to help us work it out, but even to give us the willpower (or “won’t-power”) to act. Are you working out what God is working in?
Paul told the Christians at Philippi that it was their “partnership in the gospel” that filled his prayers for them with thankfulness, joy and confidence. This seems a good definition for the church– a partnership (fellowship, communion, kononia) of persons who have heard, believed, been saved by and live to proclaim the gospel (good news about Jesus). Today’s church doesn’t need more church members. It needs more gospel partners! Are you a partner of the gospel?
Three thoughts: 1) “Do not provoke to anger” – What provokes anger in your kids? Usually, inconsistent or overly emotional parenting on your part. Your child responds in kind. You are unpredictable and moody, so they are too. 2) “Bring them up in the discipline of the Lord” – This means you follow a consistent pattern of external …
This Messianic prophecy was written 700 years before Christ. Chapter 53 describes in chilling detail the crucifixion of Jesus. There are two threads of prophecy in the Old Testament concerning the Messiah. One, describes him as the Suffering Servant who will take on our sin, and the second, which describes him as the coming king that will put everything right in the world. Jesus has already fulfilled the first. The second is coming soon.
Anger is an emotional response to a felt offense. It is an emotion, not sin. But uncontrolled anger can result in sin. Submit your anger to the Spirit of Christ. Allow Him to rein it in. This is not stuffing it, but allowing the Spirit to help you control it, so that the offense is properly confronted. Two cautions: 1) Deal with anger urgently within 24 hours “do not let the sun go down,” and 2) Be aware that Satan is looking for an opportunity to insert himself into your relationships through your uncontrolled anger. Properly dealt with, anger can actually energize you to address a needed relational problem.