Philippians 1:27-30
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
As I write this it is a bit ironic because my wife and oldest daughter are watching American Idol and the performer is singing "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel. He is singing about a fighter who is beaten and bearing scars, but he still remains standing. As I hear those words, I read these verses...
"Don't be intimidated by your enemies..."
"For you have been given the privilege of suffering for him."
"We are in this struggle together..."
There are days, lately, that I have begun to feel a little bit more of the struggle and fight of being on the front line of "fighting together for the faith." I am in no way saying that I have been persecuted like too many of our brothers and sisters around the world, but lately I'm simply feeling the struggle of living out my faith.
What does this struggle mean to you? Have you felt the presence of the enemy in your life? How are you in this struggle with? Who do you look to as an example to inspire you?
Under the Mercy,
Jason
Terra Nova
New Ground For Your Spiritual Journey
Showing posts with label Philippians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippians. Show all posts
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Philippians 1:20-26
This passage almost always gets me thinking! Can I honestly say that for me, TO LIVE MEANS LIVING FOR CHRIST, BUT DYING IS EVEN BETTER? Really? Is my concept of being with Christ so palpable that I can almost taste it? Am I living my life with so much faith that death is even in the realm of possibility due to my living out the Gospel each day?
One issue that I find myself working through as I read this passage today is this: do I believe that God is actually using my life to "continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith"?
What questions does the passage evoke in you?
Under the Mercy,
Jason
Suggested Resources:
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Philippians 1:8-19
As I look at today's text I can't help but ask myself a couple of questions...
As you meditate on today's text, think about your commitment to the Gospel. Paul was facing people who were trying to make him look bad, but as long as the Gospel was being proclaimed, he didn't care. Maybe you don't have anyone trying to get you trouble by talking about God with others, but what is going on in your life that you might need to work on your attitude and focus in light of what God wants to do in and through you?
Let God's Word transform your mind today.
Jason
Some Suggested Resources:
- Is my determination to share the Gospel anywhere near as focused as Paul's when he says that even his imprisonment is a chance for the advancing of the message?
- Do I see setbacks and obstacles as simply new opportunities or do they discourage me?
As you meditate on today's text, think about your commitment to the Gospel. Paul was facing people who were trying to make him look bad, but as long as the Gospel was being proclaimed, he didn't care. Maybe you don't have anyone trying to get you trouble by talking about God with others, but what is going on in your life that you might need to work on your attitude and focus in light of what God wants to do in and through you?
Let God's Word transform your mind today.
Jason
Some Suggested Resources:
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Philippians 1:3-7
In these verses, Paul let the Philippians know how he is praying for them. As you consider this text, here are some questions to get you thinking...
I thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. As your pastor, my prayer for you is that "your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
Under the Mercy,
Jason
- With whom do you have a close enough relationship that they are praying for you like this?
- Who are you praying for like this?
- With whom do you have a "partnership in the gospel"?
- What good work is Christ doing in you?
- What will it look like when He completes it?
- What role do you have in the process?
- What other areas of the text jump out at you? Why?
I thank you for your partnership in the Gospel. As your pastor, my prayer for you is that "your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God."
Under the Mercy,
Jason
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Daily Meditation - Philippians 1:1-2
April 19, 2010
Philippians 1:1-2
As we begin spending time in this letter, we need to set the stage.
Paul is writing to the Church in the city of Philippi. This city was given special privilege by Octavian. After 31 BC he ordered the citizens of Philippi to surrender their land to his veterans. Apparently citizens in Philippi had supported Antony and Cleopatra rather than Octavian, so their land was taken and given to Octavian’s soldiers. The city was then given the title “Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis” which basically meant that people who lived there lived as though they were on Italian soil - they had some breaks when it came to taxes and such.
Philippi was a favored city and the citizens were very proud of their colony. As you read this letter from Paul, look for allusions to this fact.
To better understand the establishment of the church in Philippi, one must go to Acts 16. While we could spend much time reflecting on this passage, I refer to it only to provide context for Paul’s words in our passage. Lydia is the first convert. She is a probably a Gentile who was more than sympathetic to Judaism, but she was also a very successful businesswoman.
Upon establishing the church in Lydia’s house, Paul soon ran into trouble with the law. He cast out a demon from a young slave girl who would tell fortunes. Her owners realized that they lost a major source of income and got the city into an uproar against Paul. In the end, the city was embarrassed because they improperly treated Paul who was a Roman CItizen (something highly prized in a favored city like Philippi!).
As you read verses one and two, here are some things to consider:
Paul calls himself (and Timothy) “slaves of Christ Jesus.” Despite our modern concept of slave, this term does refer to ownership and servitude, yet Paul uses it to introduce himself. When you are introducing yourself to others, what images do you want them to have of you? What matters to you when it comes to how others think of you? Would you consider yourself a slave of Christ? How do you see this play out in your daily life?
Next, Paul refers to the people in the church at Philippi as “God’s holy people.” The Greek really says to the “saints” at Philippi. Throughout the New Testament the word “saint” (haigos) is always in the plural, referring to a group of people. How do you see yourself as part of the “Saints” of Terra Nova? What does that mean when it comes to how you view yourself and others in our church?
What connections do you see between Paul and Timothy being “slaves of Christ Jesus” and the members of the church being called “Saints in Christ Jesus”?
Lastly, Paul calls special attention to the overseers and deacons. This is the leadership of the church. In what ways do you view the leadership of the church? Do you pray for them? Do you support them by helping out and encouraging them?
As you go through your day today, allow this passage to guide you. What key thoughts impress you as you slowly read the passage? What is God saying to you through the Holy Spirit?
Under the Mercy,
Jason
Philippians 1:1-2
As we begin spending time in this letter, we need to set the stage.
Paul is writing to the Church in the city of Philippi. This city was given special privilege by Octavian. After 31 BC he ordered the citizens of Philippi to surrender their land to his veterans. Apparently citizens in Philippi had supported Antony and Cleopatra rather than Octavian, so their land was taken and given to Octavian’s soldiers. The city was then given the title “Colonia Iulia Augusta Philippensis” which basically meant that people who lived there lived as though they were on Italian soil - they had some breaks when it came to taxes and such.
Philippi was a favored city and the citizens were very proud of their colony. As you read this letter from Paul, look for allusions to this fact.
To better understand the establishment of the church in Philippi, one must go to Acts 16. While we could spend much time reflecting on this passage, I refer to it only to provide context for Paul’s words in our passage. Lydia is the first convert. She is a probably a Gentile who was more than sympathetic to Judaism, but she was also a very successful businesswoman.
Upon establishing the church in Lydia’s house, Paul soon ran into trouble with the law. He cast out a demon from a young slave girl who would tell fortunes. Her owners realized that they lost a major source of income and got the city into an uproar against Paul. In the end, the city was embarrassed because they improperly treated Paul who was a Roman CItizen (something highly prized in a favored city like Philippi!).
As you read verses one and two, here are some things to consider:
Paul calls himself (and Timothy) “slaves of Christ Jesus.” Despite our modern concept of slave, this term does refer to ownership and servitude, yet Paul uses it to introduce himself. When you are introducing yourself to others, what images do you want them to have of you? What matters to you when it comes to how others think of you? Would you consider yourself a slave of Christ? How do you see this play out in your daily life?
Next, Paul refers to the people in the church at Philippi as “God’s holy people.” The Greek really says to the “saints” at Philippi. Throughout the New Testament the word “saint” (haigos) is always in the plural, referring to a group of people. How do you see yourself as part of the “Saints” of Terra Nova? What does that mean when it comes to how you view yourself and others in our church?
What connections do you see between Paul and Timothy being “slaves of Christ Jesus” and the members of the church being called “Saints in Christ Jesus”?
Lastly, Paul calls special attention to the overseers and deacons. This is the leadership of the church. In what ways do you view the leadership of the church? Do you pray for them? Do you support them by helping out and encouraging them?
As you go through your day today, allow this passage to guide you. What key thoughts impress you as you slowly read the passage? What is God saying to you through the Holy Spirit?
Under the Mercy,
Jason
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