Thursday, December 06, 2007

Philippians 1-4

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, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
Philippians 3: 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.

Philippians 4: 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.


Followers of Christ if we were this….would we not be attracting people to Him? And it won’t be because we DO IT but because He does it through us. I don’t remember this but when I do I am softer, less demanding. I go back to Jeff’s prayer .
Help me to be a man after your own heart.Allow me see life through your eyes today. Please give me ears to hear. Show me where to walk. Right where you would.Teach me the best way to comfort those who are hurting and alone. Direct my attention to the downtrodden, so that I can love them and serve them with abandon.
Remind me today (and every day) that it’s all about Jesus.Simple as that.
Because when I get that, I relax.I’m easier to be around, and I love better.The trivial starts to fade away.I worry less.I obsess less.I complain less.
Help me to be the Church; without judgment, criticism or hypocrisy.Make me more forgiving.More graceful.A better listener.A better friend.Allow my rhythm to be slower; my pace, enviable.Remind me that in your eyes, the playing field is leveled. I’m not the star. I’m only as loved as the next one. But oh, how loved I am. Amen.
The less I know (and believe me I thought I KNEW a whole lot) the more I seek Him….the more I seek Him the more I WANT Him…..and in the wanting Him ….well we’ll see the next time I forget or get scared or just start wanting what I want…….and the thing is His Grace will always be there, He never lets go…….
Psalm 46:10 'be still and know that I AM GOD…..

3 comments:

Bar L. said...

I often use your blog as a devotional, I am so glad you keep writing. Thanks, BJK! You are loved and appreciated more than words can express.

Robert said...

you are expressing the reality of what the journey is to be my friend Philippians is my fave Bible book and includes the verse where i got my blog name from. The whole purpose of wrestling with Him is shown in the verses you shared He is chipping away at the various obstacles i somehow let stay around Im praying with you becky in echoing jeffs prayer and second barbara about so thrilled you keep writing!!

Micah Hoover said...

"But oh, how loved I am."

This is the thing I can't get my mind around ... the notion beyond notions, the concept that cannot be conceived ...

How much more is the smallest inheritance in the kingdom of heaven than the greatest prize to the world?