The thought that counts!

Philippians  4:10-21 Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17 Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21 Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.  23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen

Whenever you think of the book of Philippians there are three main points that should be impressed on our minds, and Paul brings us back to them here.

1. Rejoice (says 10 times, joy – another dozen) in the Lord Always – If Christ is the purpose of your life it changes your outlook. We are to be people of rejoicing and joy.

2. Everything we do is an extension of and for the gospel message. Nothing for the follower of Christ exists apart from this reality. Everything we do, think, say, believe, and how we behave, is to undergo a self-examination of our motivations - ‘What does our present course of action say to others about the wonderful surpassing gospel of hope, peace, forgiveness, mercy, and salvation.

3. The people we labour with are important. We are not, and do not, advance the purposes of Christ alone. We are in relationship – and how we are in relationship either brings an advancement of rejoicing and joy, and together is declaration of the gospel – or its removes rejoicing and joy.

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

We forget the power of being thought of by another so often. Think about when someone came to you and showed genuine concern “How are you doing….?” And then they genuinely listened. This last couple of weeks there seemed to be a lot of cards going around the corporate office expressing concern to those experiencing significant grief and loss across the province. We need to have concern, and be concerned, for each other, because it can be the source of rejoicing in the midst of difficult challenges. We need to look at each other and ‘renew’ that concern because it’s easy for us to get lost in our own little worlds. Find ways to show each other genuine concern. It often doesn’t take a lot, but it is a great gift and source of strength and encouragement when it happens.

11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I venture a guess that what fills most people’s lives is not contentment – but discontentment. Discontentment with ourselves – or with others – or both. Discontentment in our jobs. I’m very discontented with my car at moment. When I get discontented about something, it’s all I can think about – it consumes my thoughts and becomes a constant part of conversation – so much so that my wife just said to me, “just go out and get a new car and be done with it already.” But at the moment, the discontentment regarding the impact on my finances outweighs the discontentment with my car.

When we have discontentment it consumes us – it colours all other thoughts and responses. Yet somehow here in the midst of Paul’s incarcerated life he states “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstance.” I don’t think Paul means to say that he is happy with every circumstance, but that he has learned to be at peace with the knowledge that although he might not be in control, he knows God ultimately is and regardless of that circumstance, if he submits himself to God, God can use it for his benefit and glory.

What do you believe about your present circumstance? Regardless of what it is, do you believe that God is greater? That He can use you as a representative of his mercy, justice and peace in that circumstance? Think about your circumstance. Are you willing? Are you able to open handedly say to God, “here I am, in this place, in this circumstance, in this reality - Jesus, I trust you, use me here, right where I am, to be a witness of your mercy, grace, purity and holiness?” I believe this can help us even when our circumstance is some of our own making. Not in all cases certainly, but, more than we’d like to acknowledge, I have to ‘own’ my part in my present circumstance – that is tough, and often at the source of our discontentment.

We can and only will find contentment when we can be at peace with ‘whatever our circumstance – good or bad.’ Paul gives us this great phrase that is the line of many and encouragement card “I can do all things in Christ”

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.



Ever sang the song, (even in your heart)?

Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen

Nobody knows, but Jesus

Nobody knows the trouble that I've seen

Glory hallelujah

Sometimes I'm up and sometimes I'm down

Oh, yes lord

You know sometimes almost to the ground

Oh, oh yes lord

All of us have had, or are having, or will have, troubles and sorrow. We often believe we are in our ‘troubles’ alone. And perhaps we are, but we are not there long, because we do tell others. One question I always try to keep in mind, though not always successfully, when I “share my troubles with other” is why? Am I wanting to pull them into the ditch with me? Or am I asking them to throw me line so they can help pull me out?

Truly, there is joy that can come when I have someone to ‘share in my troubles.’ Just knowing they are there, knowing they want to listen, are concerned, offer me words of encouragement (and at times ‘truth’ and ‘perspective’ I need to re-gain) is important. We certainly can feel alone, that ‘nobody knows’ – we need to watch for each other so that we can be ones who ‘send aid’ when I (or you) are in need.

Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

What is the motivation of our sharing in troubles? To build up or tear down? To include or exclude? To encourage or discourage? What account are we investing in? What payments are making or withdrawing in each other’s accounts? Are our investments in others “fragrant offerings” that delight the nose or “stinking droppings” that we step in with our toes? To walk away from an encounter with someone and feel that we have been amply supplied and given a gift – that truly is cause to rejoice.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen

Anyway, I was just thinking.  

Neil

Amusment

I have been thinking some more about the verses from last week:

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ Finally, brothers, 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.

In the last blog I wrote about how we can think about these things to combat worry or with other thoughts we are struggling.  As I have thought about it more and more though I have come to realize that I have a bunch of other coping mechanisms that help me combat the things that I don’t want to face.  I am addicted to distraction.  I go from video to video, from game to game.  I am even one of those people that always take my phone to the bathroom so I can play or read something while I am in there.  (Too much information I know).   I love walking into a library and realizing that I should never be bored.  If I took my whole life I would never run out of things to read just in my local branch of the Cambridge Library.  I have come to realize though, what I am really celebrating when I think this is that my supply of things to distract me will never run out. 

I am addicted to amusement.  Amusement literally means to “not think” (‘a’ as a prefix meaning not and ‘muse’ meaning think).  Sometimes I chose entertainment that is contrary to the list in Philippians that I am supposed to think on. I need to stop but more often I just choose things that distract.  I can even use theological training to distract me.  Sometimes it feels safer to learn about God than to spend time with Him.   

I usually bounce from one distraction to another without taking time to think about them (or anything).  I have to ask myself: “When do I take some time to just think?”  This may just be my confession but I urge you to examine yourself.  When do you take time to think? Do you think on these things?

“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.”

Mark Wallace

Red Balloons (Phil 4:8-9)

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)
⁸ Finally, brothers, 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. ⁹ 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.

I remember a psychology professor speaking once and saying to the class.  “I want you to do something.  I want you to not think about red balloons.  Don’t think about red balloons!  Stop thinking about red balloons!  Think about purple elephants!”  When he was saying don’t think about red balloons it was all we could think of.  It is hard to put a picture out of your head.  It was instantly gone however when he said “think about purple elephants.”  His point was you need something to replace what you are trying not to think about.    In Philippians, after putting our fights problems and anxieties into perspective (see last blog).  Paul doesn’t leave us with only “Don’t think about your anxieties!  Don’t think about your fights! Don’t think about your problems!”  He gives us what we should be thinking about.  A whole list of things that are way better for us than the things we can’t control.  Jesus said:

Luke 12:25-26 (NIV)
²⁵ Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? ²⁶ Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

It is one thing to know that, but another to not worry.  Many of you may have heard me say “Many Christians say they have difficulty meditating but we all know how.  If you know how to worry you know how to meditate.  Worrying is just thinking about the same thing over and over again.  So is meditating you just have to change what you are thinking about.”  (That isn’t an original thought.  I wish I could give credit but I can’t remember where I heard it.)  Paul gives us some things to think about instead.  Whenever I am worried about something I try to remember that.  You can’t just put the red balloon out of you mind - you need something to replace it with.

“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.”

- Mark Wallace

PS.  When I was looking for a picture of a purple elephant I found it on this blog: 

http://danishdoll.xanga.com/720639477/purple-elephant-thoughts/

  Same verse similar thoughts.  There is nothing new under the sun. 

Perspective Matters

Philippians 4:1-7 (NIV)
¹ Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

² I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

My mother has a phrase she likes to say to me when I am frustrated about something.  Especially when I am frustrated because of something small (like a bad hand while playing cards) she will say “Mark, In the light of Eternity does it really matter!?!”  She is always right (not that I always want to hear it.  I mean, come on! Being dealt four 9s in Euchre is pretty bad.)  Some times we just need perspective. 

The two women in Philippians Chapter 4 are forever immortalized (canonized even) in scripture for fighting.  If there were two sentences passed down in history about you would you want verse 2 and 3 to be it?  Paul doesn’t wade into the fight and take sides.  He asks the community to help them get along.  He doesn’t just ask them to agree. He asks them to “agree in the Lord”.  When we have a proper perspective on God often our squabbles fade into the background.  “In the light of eternity does what we are fighting about really matter?”

The second command is “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.”  A lot of Philippians is about suffering.  Sometimes from a worldly perspective we have no reason to rejoice.  Once again the perspective is given.  “The Lord is near”.  My earthly circumstances may not give reason to rejoice but my future hope does.  When God is in perspective my troubles fade and I can rejoice.  I have heard Jim and Adrienne Reese (The founders of CH) say that when they found out that their son had special needs they were able to handle it in part because they didn’t view God in light of their problems they viewed their problems in light of God.  In this they were able to rejoice.

Lastly when we keep God in the proper perspective we can “be anxious about nothing”.  We can have the “peace that transcends all understanding”.  It is hard but when we see God properly our perspective lets our problems fade. 

This reminds me of a scene from the TV show The West Wing.  If you are not familiar with the show it is a fictional account of life behind the scenes for the staff at the White House.  In the scene, the president’s daughter goes out to a bar/restaurant with some of the president’s aides.  At one point she is separated from them and a group of guys starts to hit on her and harass her.  They have no idea who her father is.  One by one the aids notice this and come to her and things get heated.  They all are in that very tense, macho attitude of, “there is going to be trouble”.  The last of the aids to notice however, sees the girls keychain that she has left on the table and grabs it.  Since she is the president’s daughter she can not go anywhere without the secret service so on her keychain is a panic button that will signal the armed agents that are outside to storm in and take control.  When he joins the group he is not tense like the others.  They are all in fight or flight mode, displaying a lot of bravado.  He walks up with a goofy grin on his face and a simply says “How’s everybody doing?”  His grin is priceless.  He has a different perspective because he just pushed the button.   He knows the cavalry is coming.  The secret service storm in and take the guys who were bugging the girl away in cuffs.

Do we have a picture of the power that is around us?  If so, why are we anxious?  I once heard a speaker talking about meditation and how so many Christians say they have trouble meditating on God.  He said “you already know how to meditate because you know how to worry.  Worrying is just thinking about some thing over and over again.  So is meditating we just have to change what we are thinking about.”  It is hard to simply not worry.  We need something to replace those thoughts.  If instead just trying to think about whatever we are worried about we focused on a promise from God’s word, we can keep him in perspective and the problem will fade.

In the light of eternity, does it really matter?

Mark Wallace

Stinkin' to High Heaven: Reflections on Phil 3:7

7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 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 and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.  17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

There’s a song that many of us have sung in church on a Sunday morning by Robin Marks.

Jesus, all for Jesus,

All I am and have and ever hope to be.

Jesus, all for Jesus,

All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans

I surrender these into Your hands.

All of my ambitions, hopes and plans

I surrender these into Your hands.

For it's only in Your will that I am free,

For it's only in Your will that I am free,

Jesus, all for Jesus,

All I am and have and ever hope to be.

I choke on the words almost every time I sing it. Not because I don’t like the song – because I do – it moves me, deeply and often to tears. It is because of the claims I’m (We’re) making when we sing it. I start this process of self talk – and it generally starts with “really, is that really what you want - All for Jesus? All I am, All I ever hope to be? All of my ambitions, plans? – All I surrender into your hands? – It’s only in Your will that I am free? How free am I – really?” By that time, we have finished the song and moved on, but I’m still standing there, staring into space whilst everyone else has sat down and moved on.

I know the right answers. I’ve been in church all my life – I’ve studied this stuff, wrote papers and exams in seminary– and got good marks – preach on it etc, etc. But space between knowing and doing is the problem. Maybe the idea of ‘being’ does ‘better than do’ does. – more on ‘do do’ in a moment.

These are high words Paul writes here – maybe we think ‘this kind of living is out of reach – or unrealistic’. “Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss the sake of Christ”. In fact, he calls whatever was profit rubbish. Now, rubbish, this is a very nice sanitize word. That’s a nice word my very lady proper English grandmother would say in her lilting accent “this is rubbish”. The word used here however in Greek is “skubala” – It is a low crass, dirty word that would have got your mouth washed out with soap as a kid for having a potty mouth.

It helps us if we think about the time Paul was writing in. This was a time before indoor plumbing with flushing toilets and sewers systems that rushes off underground what all of us do do and yet nobody talks about. Typically, through a populated area, a trench of some sort would be carved out. You had to be careful where you were walking in the old days because people would take their wooden buckets, or clay pots – or whatever they were using and fire the contents into the trench (well sort of – more in the general direction of the trench depending on wind and, well, mood of the day). You’d find yourself walking along, minding your own business and suddenly find yourself standing in…. you guessed it “knee deep” in a skubala trench – or walking through someone’s misfire. I’ve witness the wonders of this kind of plumbing strategy first hand on a number of occasions while traveling globally. Trust me when I say, it’s not the most pleasant of experiences. It kinda assaults the senses.

Paul is shockingly stating that anything we gain on the earth – its most wonderful pleasures, its wealth, position, privileges, and power – when compared to gaining Christ, all of those things must have the attraction power of --- well, here it goes --- poo. But, that is exactly the point, it is scandalous – it is gross, it is offensive. On one hand you can gain Christ -- on the other hand you can have, um, a pile of crap – literally. Let the feeling of repulsion – the disgust – the repugnance and the distaste settle in.

He’s saying that unless we understand that difference, unless we see the reality of the choices before us – we don’t understand the nature of His purity, His righteousness, the true nature of the power of His resurrection and what He offers to us. When the earthly is set along side the heavenly, the difference between them far greater than anything we can measure – it greater than the distance between the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. The distance between the earth and the Sun does not begin to account for the difference.

Every day, moment by moment we are confronted by choices – which do I chose? Christ or that other stuff? Will we choose His righteousness, His purity, His will over our own inclinations, our own desires, our own will? His grace? Or my attitude? His mercy? Or my judgmental thoughts? His Word? Or my words? His humility? Or my arrogance? That’s the power of His resurrection, the significance of ‘becoming like Him in His death’. He bridges that divide I cannot fathom. It’s daily putting to death those attitudes, judgments or my arrogance – because they so quickly rise up within me – in what I want, in what I think should be, in what and how I believe I have a right to behave – or to say – or to be – or to do do. But I’m constantly putting stuff between me and God, between me and my relationships with those about me. When I do that I declare to God, I declare to the other that “this, this thing, this piece of skubala has more value and importance to me than – You (or you). Now, that’s a great way to make other’s feel good about themselves.

Paul challenges us – are we willing, am I willing to see those things that I want or do for what they really are? This is rough – and fortunately Paul does not leave us in despair, he says:

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We all struggle, we all fail, we all fall short—we all have so far to go. Paul says, even I, an apostle have not ‘already obtained all this or am perfect,’ but I clearly know (as he did) the difference. I know what the prize is. I know what and who I want to be like – Christ. I reach forward trying to hang on to what I know should be – but I do it in joy, I do it willingly because, this I know, --- Christ Jesus took hold of me – and “oh no, He’ll never let go of me” (another great song).

Again, I think the picture is very much in Paul’s mind – even though he’s covered in Skubala at time. Jesus grabs hold of him, pulls him up and cleanses Paul, purifies him, gives to him Christ’s righteousness.

My father was a blacksmith – a Ferrier (one who shoes horses) by trade. As kids on holidays and summers months we traveled (more bounced in the back of a pick up truck) with him from job to job – a lot of times at race tracks. One particular hot summer day, my sisters and I were playing. I was probably 10 or so, my one sister would have been 8 and my youngest sister would have been about 6. We were jumping off this cement barrier, both I and my 8 year old sister Jessie jumped and landed on the ground safely. I mean how hard it is to jump and land on the ground – well, more difficult than what might first appear. My youngest sister, Chris, jumped and, yup, she missed the ground – and landed instead in a run off pit. This was the race barn’s trench in which the liquefied part of the discarded materials (of do do) was collected into this tank, and it was full. My Dad fortunately was close by and immediately ran and grabbed her. She was fine – but did she stink to high heaven. The ride home was unbearable. We bounced in the back of pickup with a camper cover on it – a hot, hot summer afternoon, in the back of hot and very enclosed truck bed. We made her sit in the farthest corner of the truck away from us as we tried our best to suck air out of the little sliding windows. Kinda funny now, but brutal then, mostly for my little sister as she sat crying – rejected and alone – but in my Jessie’s and mine mind, certainly not alone enough. In a very real way, that’s us. Yet Jesus doesn’t leave us alone. He’s like my dad. When we reach our destination he reached in and took a hold of his little girl, pulled her to himself, comforting her – ignoring the smell and carried her inside to be made clean. Let me tell you though, it gave us a whole new meaning to “you’re a little stinker!”

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Today, as with every day in our Christian life, we are confronted with choices – will we take hold of Christ and give him control over our will, our words and our ways – or we will jump headlong into that run off pit. What’s more, we impact those around us with our aroma – either with the wonderful fragrance of Christ – or – let’s just say, ode of skubala!



Anyway, I was just stinkin’ thinkin’.

Neil

People Watching: More on Phil 2:19-30

Philippians 2 :19 to 30 offers an opportunity to do some "people watching". I am a people watcher. I go so far as to go to outlet malls with my wife while on vacation and watch people while she shops. The shopping part of it I am not really into. My shopping practice is to know what I want, decide what store sells what I want, go to the department in that store that sells what I want, pick up and pay for want I want, and go home. But, as long as there are people in the mall to watch she can shop all day and I am good with that.

At first glance I wondered why these verses are included in inspired Scripture. What does Paul's decision to send two guys to Philippi have to do with my living a Christian life today? However, Paul says some interesting and revealing things about Timothy and Epaphroditus that should affect us today.

We know something about Timothy from other Scripture references and from the letter Paul later wrote to him but this is about all we have on Epaphroditus. He calls these two men "co-workers". Although their role and their image were different from his, he saw them as important in the work of the Gospel and equal in team. Everyone's role is important. It may not be glamourous or visible but everyone who commits to get involved in the work of Christ is important in the job. Each one deserves recognition.

Some of the things Paul says about Timothy here tell us of his character and tell us something of what we should be in our service to Christ.

He took "a genuine interest in the welfare" of the Philippians. He may not even have known them but because they were part of the Family of God they had a real place in his heart. It seems that others, perhaps the majority of others, with Paul looked "out for his own interests not those of Jesus Christ". I sure hope that Paul would not have put me in that group.

Paul saw Timothy's service as "a son with his father". Not too long ago a son would join his father in the company business and learned from him. Jesus worked in his father's carpenter shop and learned the trade from him. The son learned the trade the hard way, by doing all the jobs no matter how unpleasant they might be. The smart ones did it willingly knowing that it was their future and they had to learn to do it well. This is the kind of person Paul talked about earlier in 2:4, a person not focused on himself.

Epaphroditus is given three very significant titles; "brother", "fellow worker", and "fellow soldier". This should be enough to make anyone happy with the job they were doing. The question comes to mind about my work in the community of Christ. Is it team building or self centered? Am I am "brother" a "fellow" or a thorn?

Just why he was sent to Paul is unknown but he may have been chosen as reliable to carry some gift or supplies that Paul needed. It may not have been a very glorious job but he did it completely, even when he was very sick. He was even distressed that those back in the home church had heard about his illness and were anxious for him. He should have Twittered when he felt better.

Verse 28 tells us that the people back home must have really liked him. He may not have been their leader or even someone that had potential leadership but he was trustworthy and respected.

Verse 29 tells them, and us, to "honour men like him". There are a lot more behind the scenes workers than starts and they are the real heroes according to Paul.

Just a bit of people watching in Philippians that brings some worthy thoughts to mind.

Ted Robbins

Changes: Philippians 2:19-30

Philippians 2:19-30 (NIV)
¹⁹ I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. ²⁰ I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. ²² But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. ²³ I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. ²⁴ And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.

²⁵ But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. ²⁶ For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. ²⁷ Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. ²⁸ Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. ²⁹ Welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor men like him, ³⁰ because he almost died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for the help you could not give me.

As we continue through the book of Philippians we come to the above section.  It is personal correspondence from Paul to the Church in Philipi.  I thought about just skipping this passage in our series but the more I thought about it the more I thought it is relevant to what we do.   Paul extols Timothy and writes about the illness of Epaphroditus.  Paul’s ministry was always seemingly in transition.  Whether from one city to another or whether he was changing who he was traveling with there was seemingly constant change. 

Change is something we are always dealing with in CH.  Whether it is for happy reasons (people supported gaining independence to a point of transitioning to less supports, staff going on maternity leave, staff moving to a contract that suits them better) or for sad reasons (someone dies, someone has health needs that stop them from being supported/working in our environment) change is hard.  It is also necessary.  Life goes on.  Things change.  I think about how difficult it would have been for Paul to leave the churches he established.  You can really pick up on how emotional some of his letters are and how much he longs to see people again.  Yet, Paul was willing to make the difficult changes because he knew it was best for God’s Kingdom. 

The lesson that I draw out of the above passage is how important it is to encourage each other.  Change is going to come and it will likely be difficult.  For Paul, whether the change occurred as a result of sickness or moving or imprisonment, he always encouraged people through it.  He sent words of comfort. 

Is there someone you know who could use some encouragement as they face a difficult change or situation?

Mark Wallace

With Fear and Trembling - Phil 2:12-18

Philippians 2:12-18 (NIV)
¹² 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,
¹³ for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
¹⁴ Do everything without complaining or arguing,
¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
¹⁶ as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
¹⁷ But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
¹⁸ So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

This past week I thought a lot about the phrase: “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” and not only because we are continuing our series through Philippians.  The terrible tragedy in Japan has had many people Christian or otherwise asking, “Why?”  I was with one staff member who asked me on Friday: “OK Pastor, was God sleeping or what?”  It is not my intent to answer the question of the problem of evil here.  As a trans-denominational organization we have many differing opinions on God’s providence and will.  What I will say is that it is good to wrestle with the question.  In fact I was reminded by my co-worker’s question about a Psalm that poses that exact query:

Psalm 44:23-24 (NIV)
²³ Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever.
²⁴ Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?

I think as Christians we too quickly want to run in and say why a tragedy has occurred.  Some famous Christians have gotten themselves in some trouble doing just that.  I think Christians need to be seen wrestling with the question as much as giving an answer.  We must wrestle respectfully.  The Psalmist of Psalm 44 opens with a section that gives God the glory due Him.  It concludes with Verse 8:

Psalm 44:8 (NIV)
⁸ In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Selah

Even Jesus may have even sidestepped the question when given the chance.

John 9:1-3 (NIV)
¹ As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.
² His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?"
³ "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.

Perhaps Jesus does answer the “why” question with “this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”  That is what I always thought until about a month ago when I was reading a commentary on John by David Guzik that points out:

“It is possible that John 9:3 could be punctuated like this: ". . . nor his parents sinned. But that the works of God should be revealed in him, I must work . . ."”

The oldest manuscripts of the New Testament do not have punctuation (or even spaces between words) which leave translators with difficult choices.  Maybe Jesus doesn’t answer the question at all.  That is for each of us to decide and wrestle with. Either way I think we can learn from Guzik’s idea.  It is when we work that the works of God are revealed.  It is not enough for us to wrestle with our faith.  (Why there is evil in the world is only one of those questions.)  We need to live our faith. 

The “fear and trembling” part of the passage is preceded by a call to obedience and followed by a call to “shine like stars” in a depraved generation.  It is good to ask, “God how could this happen?” but first we must always ask “God what can you do through me to help?” 

Imagine how much more Christ would be glorified if instead of giving an answer we were giving aid. 

Mark Wallace

Barriers and Compassion Phil 2:1-11

Philippians 2:1-11 (NIV)

Sometimes the distance isn't large but it is difficult to cross.

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

As we continue through Philippians we come to some of my favourite verses. I always think about this passage around Christmas time as I did when I wrote this blog:

http://chdevotions.blogspot.com/2007/12/christs-humility-pt2.html

Paul really pulls out all the stops in Philippians. He leaves no room for excuses. You think your situation is tough? He starts off by emphasizing that he is in prison! You think you can’t follow God and put others needs first? You think “that person” is too hard to reconcile with or put first? He goes to Jesus on the cross!

Christ is our example. There is a pastoral care book by Nouwen, McNeill and Morrison called “Compassion”. I highly recommend this book. It draws 3 truths about how Christ is compassionate toward us.

Firstly, God came to be with us. You can not be compassionate and keep your distance (Geographical distance may still exist but it does make it hard if not impossible. This may be an argument of the difference between empathy and compassion. For with compassion emotional distance can not remain. ) Compassion means literally to “suffer” (Latin/passion) “with” (Latin/cum). Jesus came and dwelt among us. There was no barrier He was not willing to cross to enter into our lives. Often when people find out that I work with persons with exceptional needs they will say things like “I could never do that” or “you must be a patient/special person”. Many people have barriers in their mind that think they would stop them from serving one kind of person or another. While it true that, as Christians we may be called to different kinds of ministry, yet we are all called. I am not special, sometimes serving people is hard. I had more than a few moments as a support worker in peoples homes, and since supporting in various ways, that have made me think “I never pictured myself here/doing this” or sarcastically “I am really putting my higher education to work here”. Imagine how many times Jesus could have thought that while he was on Earth. HE didn’t hold onto equality with God. He washed the disciples’ feet, and I think I am too good for some activities?

That brings us to the second thing. God served. Jesus took a humble position. Paul asks that we “consider others better than ourselves”. This is a hard thing to do but once again is our example that Christ washed the disciples’ feet. He was better than them but He served. Compassion has to be about the other. If we are focused on ourselves we can not feel what they feel.

Lastly Nouwen et. al. point out that Christ was obedient. As Philippians points out “obedient to death-- even death on a cross! “ Jesus wrestled with not wanting to go the cross. In Gethsemane we see Him begging that there be another way. Yet He obeys and thank God that He does.

There are 3 questions that I have to ask myself and that I encourage you to ask of yourself.

1. What barrier am I letting stand in the way? (Who can I not come along side? Note: this may involve lowering to another’ place to listen to them.)

2. Who is God calling me to serve? Jesus was willing, am I?

3. Where is obedience required? Is there something God is calling me to do that I really don’t want to do?

For those of you who observe the tradition of Lent I would also like to encourage you and wish you a meaning full Lenten season.  For past posts on Lent and Ash Wednesday go here: http://chdevotions.blogspot.com/search/label/Lent

Mark Wallace

Philippians 1:18-30 with a quick look ahead to Phil 4:4

Phil 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice”

There are events and situations in our lives that we are happy about. A birthday – although less for lately as the number keeps growing, a marriage, a birth of child, that child getting married, graduation- lots of things that we can get excited and be happy about.

There is a continuum of sorts in most of our lives with happiness at one extreme, and sadness at the other.

Sadness is the expression of loss – that loss can take various forms – certainly it can be through a death – but it can also come to us in any loss or unrealized expectation. These losses can be triggered by a relationship that has not evolved in an expected way, a health crisis, an awareness that more of life lies behind me than in front, a realization that I am in very different place in my life than I’d hoped. All of these can bring sadness – and when left unrecognized and unresolved end up in depression, anxiety and stress.

When we look at all these unrealized expectations in our lives – perhaps we question if there is any possibility of happiness at all.

Where on the continuum do you prefer to be? Well, I dare say that the majority of us – if not all, would much rather be at the happiness end of the continuum. Although, many of us would settle for somewhere in middle. Where none of us want to live – but all of us sometime are forced to visit – is the sadness end.

Sadness is not, and should not, be avoided by any means. We are sad and grieve because we love, we hope, we dream. The only way not to experience grief is to have no love, no hope no dreams. We struggle with feelings of depression because we want to believe things could have been different. It is in these times and experiences that these words can feel so far off – like a distant foreign land “Rejoice in the Lord Always, and again I say rejoice”.

Rather than seeing our lives as a linear line with happiness at one end and sadness at the other, we need to see our lives as more of a swinging pendulum. The ends are the same, happiness and sadness. What is different, however, is that neither happiness nor sadness is a solitary event on their own. They are held in place by a fixed point. For Paul, that fixed point was Christ. That is where he found the strength, hope and ability to ‘continue to rejoice’. Phil 1:18.

We recall from earlier posts that Paul had been in prison for sometime at the writing of this letter. 24/7 he had guards watching over him.



I do want to be careful of the parallel that we draw. We do need to understand that Paul is in prison precisely because he has boldly declared the gospel. His own release could probably be easily secured if he simply re-canted his faith. However, that said, what is common is loss and the imminent danger of grief and depression that threatens to darken his mind and soul. The physical loss of freedom, of opportunity, of dreams and hope



The accounts of these persecutions are heart breaking – as people lived under the constant threat of exposure, which meant the loss of everything – which could include physical torture. Again, all this could end simply enough with the rejection of Christianity and swearing of allegiance to Rome and Nero.

We know that this is a significant decision of the ‘Will’ that Paul has made that is not based on his earthly condition, but on his heavenly position. Paul has much not to be happy about. He’s imprisoned; he is hearing what is happening to believers throughout the Roman Empire. There are those that are seeing Paul as a rival and seeking to destroy his life’s work. Yet, Paul has chosen to rejoice. What brings him his confidence and ability to rejoice? Is there something we can take from him – which we can hear from him?

19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

What I find significant here is the two pronged source of Paul’s rejoicing. Neither of those sources of rejoicing is a) within his own mind and strength, or b) in the condition in which he finds himself.

a) He knows that there is a community of God, in which he belongs, that is with him. People are petitioning on his behalf in prayer.

b) and the direction work of the Spirit of Christ with him.

We must make a decision of the Will to rejoice – It means that we must override mental, emotional and psychological states. That is possible! In fact, if we don’t it means that we are at the whim of these fickle states. It’s certainly not a denial or avoidance of our present realities – it is a re-assessment of those realities in light of reality of Christ. By no means is this easy. It means, however, that I must reach the point of being able to put ‘self’ to death in His death, and ‘live’ in His resurrection and life. Here’s the tough part – in a real way, there does need to be a death of my dreams, of my hope, of my expectations, of my way. It’s not that we are not to have dreams, hopes or vision for the future. We need to believe the Truth about a number of things.

“I am not my situation” (say it with me)

“I am not my condition” (say it with me)

“I am not my job” “I am not my position – or gender, or age, or economics, my relationship status, condition or heath” (say it with me)

When God sees you, these are not the things that He sees.

You are more – beyond – greater.

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

It is a place that each of us must come to in our journey with Christ . Jesus says it this way “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me”.

It doesn’t mean we stop being a husband, wife, father, mother, brother, sister, or IT guy, or HR person, or a finance worker, support worker or a pastoral type. We still fill our role as manager, coordinator, director, VP, CEO – it means that we are to fulfill Christ’s purpose in whatever we do.

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

We must consider in each of our roles how ‘Christ is gained through me’ to another. It means my first choice of life is Christ. My first consideration is to consider the purpose of Christ in my life. To live and breathe His mercy, His gentleness, compassion, generosity, His grace and His peace.

22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Can you boast in Christ on account of me? Can the person sitting beside you, in front, behind – boast in Christ because of you? Can those whom we are called to support, whether other staff or persons supported, boast in Christ because of us. I wonder for my self, can my children boast in Christ because of me as their father, can my wife boast because of how I am in Christ to her? What about my co-workers? I find these thoughts troubling and deeply convicting.

Life Worthy of the Gospel

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.



Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Whatever happens, whatever happens! We have choice, we have daily and momentary decisions of how it is that we will conduct ourselves – we make these those choices – we create impact – our words our behaviour. Our conduct is external revealing of what we think lies hidden within.

When people see us, or hear about us, is it because of our ‘standing firm in one spirit, striving together for the faith of the gospel’. Or do they see and hear something quite different.

Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

 

Neil Cudney

Philippians 1:7-19

Philippians 1:7-19 (NIV)

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me.
8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.
16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.
17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.
18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

Continuing in our series on Philippians, I was preparing thoughts on the verses above. I really struggled over what to say/write. I looked at it critically (this passage comes from the “thanksgiving section” of Philippians). I researched prison conditions in Paul’s day (imprisonment was not a punishment; it was only for holding awaiting sentencing of either acquittal or death). I did all that because I was avoiding the nagging thought that I didn’t want to deal with: my situation is almost the complete opposite of Paul’s. He was imprisoned for being a Christian and preaching the gospel. He suffered negative worldly consequences for following Christ. I, on the other hand, reap earthly rewards for following (or at least looking like I am following) Christ. I work for a Christian employer. My family and friends are mostly people who are Christians. All of the external pressures in my life are to keep the faith, not abandon it - at least to keep it outwardly. It is only when it is between God and I, and no one will ever know, that I am faced with the decision to “consider the cost”.

This situation puts fear into me sometimes because I am faced with the thought of “would I still be a Christian if it didn’t benefit me so much here.” I have to constantly focus not on appearing Christian but following after God in my own heart. Paul’s faith was put to the test by outward forces. I need to work out my own faith in my own heart “with fear and trembling”. Paul was faithful in the face of opposition. I am in danger of being complacent in the face of peace and comfort.

Notice Paul says that even the ministry of those who preach out of selfish motives can be used by God. I can’t even use ministry effectiveness as a sign that I am right with God. I don’t want to “play church” or “play pastor.” I want my relationship with God to be real. Those around me will never be able to validate it. Only God, who the relationship is with, can give me that comfort and validation.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to focus on you. Help me to not worry about what others think about my relationship with you but to make the relationship real. My situation is one where perceived piety will be rewarded. Help me to be real with you. I need you Lord. Help me never to forget it.

Mark Wallace

Who, me a slave, no way. Philippians 1:1-6

Paul has been in prison for sometime at the writing of this letter. 24/7 he has guards watching over him. He is restricted in all his movement. If anyone has the right to be depressed, discouraged, and wonder “where is God in all of this” it is Paul. Additionally, he has been receiving alarming updates of Christian, many of whom he himself had brought to Christ are coming under increasing persecution from Jewish authorities, and empire of Roman itself. Nero is large and in charge, and he is greatly concerned with the growing influence and spread of the Christian faith. During these years the attacks on Christians was growing both in intensity and frequency.


The accounts of these persecutions are heart breaking – as people lived constantly under the threat of exposure, which meant the loss of everything – which could include physical torture – which could end simply enough with the rejection of Christianity and swearing of allegiance to Roman and Nero. This is not only a 1st century issue.

See report Summary “Severe intensification of arrests and imprisonment of Christian in Iran?

(http://www.elam.com/Editor/assets/Recent%20arrests%20in%20Iran%20-%20briefing%20document%20final.pdf)

Reading through this document sounded like I was reading one of Paul’s letters 2,000 years ago. I bring this up as we enter our in the book of Philippians because, often when we read these passages, we come to them from our own context – Canadian, democratic, free, protected – without fear, and with little real cost to life.

As we listen to these words of Paul to the Christian of Philippi, there is much for us in his words, but – we need sweep aside our Canadian curtain and attempt to enter a different and foreign world to us, but perhaps not so different and foreign the majority of Christian around the world today. What it does for me is raise a number of questions.


1:2 – My God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ GIVE YOU GRACE AND PEACE

My question is, how do I interact with these words. What is the timeless call for all “God’s holy people” – of which I’m and you one.

What do I take from what I can know about the realities of 61 A.D. that caused Paul to write these words.

What do I take from the realities that in many parts of the world, this reality of 61 AD is no different in intensity and tribulation.

What do I take from reality that I, do not live in A.D. 61 or in one of those parts of the world.

1:1… slaves of Christ Jesus

What does it mean for me to be a slave of Christ – here and now – today – tomorrow? For Paul, and for the Christians of 61 A.D., for the Christians in many places around the world today, it means that the reality and necessity to live my life first for the kingdom of God rises above the realities and circumstance of my present life.

It forces me to consider that regardless of my present situation, circumstance, position or state – good, bad or otherwise it’s not my situation, circumstance or state that is to be my first concern – but how I am to be slave to Christ’ in it.  It is what causes Paul to declare in Gal 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”

It means that I so engage with the gospel, that I see my life, not as my own, but as His – my present circumstance and situation are his, and my only purpose is to be a faithful witness of His in the midst of it.

That said, I realized how far I have yet to go – so much of me still lives – I have so much yet to put to death – my attitudes of self, my self absorbed ambitions desires, my fleshly longings.  In verse two “Grace to you and peace from God, Father of us all and Lord Jesus Christ”.  Once more, we consider the context of intense persecution and martyrdom of past and present –

Grace and peace comes from outside ourselves, and is gifted into our beings. Contrary to the idea of finding inner peace, and that affecting the outer being – Paul here reverses that idea – grace and peace is not to be subjectively sought and found from within – but received and lived out objectively. Again, irregardless of the circumstance, situation or presenting issue – I must open myself to permit God’s grace and peace to break through me into the matter or concern or problem.  Psa 23 “You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies”, comes to mind. The enemy, problem or crisis is not removed, I’m granted peace in the midst of it.

1:3 every time I think of you I give thanks….

Paul could have been, maybe we think he should have, been using all his time praying about is own condition and deliverance – yet, that certainly does not seem to be the case – in fact we discover a little later in this letter, that Paul considers his present state (whether in prison or released) as a benefit to a) demonstrated the power of God in action through him to others, and b) as tool for the advance of the gospel.

We get stuck – I get stuck thinking about my own small world – and in the reality of the Kingdom of God, so many of things I obsess over and get entangled in amount to little in the scheme of eternity. I must lift my eyes above the tiny kingdom of Neil which I am the king, and constant feel I need to defend against the little kingdoms of king of queens of you all --- Paul says he engages in this attitude and behaviour of thanks because together, we together are partners of the gospel – God is OUR King, Jesus is OUR Lord and WE are HIS slaves. WE exist, our present condition, situation, concern is to be a tool in His hand for the advancement of His gospel.  We are partners in advancing the gospel to each other, as well as, with whomever we have contact.

Our final consideration for our reflect is on the verse so many use as and encouragement and hope.

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ”.

Is His work in you done? Are you doing the work or is He?  What’s His purpose? It is that his work may be made complete in you. What is that work? That you might be a stronger more complete christian – which originally was meant as an insult meaning “ little slaves of Christ”  That phrase, “be confident of this” could be kinda scary for us as well – He will do a good work in us. He will keep at it, until it reach completion in spite of us. 

We return to our larger vision of this – for those at Philippi in the 1st century, for those in Iran, Egypt, China, and on and on – even though their lives may be poured out as a drink offering upon the ground– even though in the immediate eyes of the onlooker it may seem all for naught – as waste. It is not.

God has a good work to complete, in us together, far more than what may first meet our eye – we are partners with God in that good work – He’s using each of us to advance that good work in each other – and in the lives those that both serve and are served in the Province of Ontario, and around the world.


Anyway, I was just thinking...

Neil