Category Archives: Philippians

Every Moment

Philippians 2:12 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,

Don’t live in the paralysis of self-analysis wondering about your every choice. Believe that God is in Every Moment, every thought, everything that happens; that His Spirit is guiding and interceding; that your behavior is being influenced by God…whether or not you’re consciously aware of it. That’s the “much more in my absence” part.

Be prepared to be dragged into the correction of conscious awareness sometimes; to have to admit you made the wrong choice, to have to repent, to have to forgive, and to have to ask for forgiveness. That’s the “fear and trembling” part.

Be prepared to have moments of grace and glory that warm you, change you, teach you, humble you…and surprise you with the conscious awareness of knowing that you did hear from God and responded. Remember it’s a joint effort, you are not in this alone. That’s the “working out” part.

Loss and Everything

Philippians 3:7-14
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 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 on the basis of faith.

Monday morning I heard that my favorite knitting, spinning, weaving and gathering spot here in Florida had burned to the ground overnight. Philippians 3 came onto my radar this morning with search for what the Bible has to say about Loss and Everything.

I know it’s just a store. I know it’s not the worst loss but nevertheless it’s a real loss. We gathered there and became friends with shared interests. We learned new skills and shared tips and laughter. In large part that was due to the generosity of the shop owner who managed to create an environment where people wanted to meet together every week. That place is gone but we are still going to meet together today…not in that lost shop…but in one of those friend’s home.

Here’s my connection to Philippians. Paul doesn’t soft peddle loss by any means, it’s big to lose everything. His words force me to consider this loss as a real-life lesson, not just in terms of all that was lost in that fire but from the perspective of what, and who, “everything” really is.

And…Amen

“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults -Matthew 7:1 [The Message.]

“The Holy Spirit [the Comforter] is the only one in the proper position to criticize, and He alone is able to show what is wrong without hurting and wounding…” From Oswald Chambers — My Utmost for His Highest

Thoughts:
This is a very good and wise plan God made. No one can stand up under criticism. I know that on a very personal level. The human response is to feel attacked.  Attack offers two options; be destroyed or fight back. No transformation can occur if you’re in a fighting mood or if you’re completely wiped out by that criticism.

SO…from now on before criticizing another I’m going to pray this truth for them promised in Philippians 1:6: “There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” [The Message.]

And believe on these things.
If there is Jesus…there is a comforter.
• And if there is a comforter there is security.
• And if there is security there is openness.
• And if there is openness there is new freedom
• And if there is that freedom there is opportunity.
• And if there is opportunity, change becomes an option.
• And if that option is accepted, there is transformation, and…
So Be It!