10/14/13

From Gary... My perfect home...


I really like this house; I could call it home in a heartbeat!!!  What first caught my eye was that veranda.  Most homes do not have these, but I wish more did; just the place for outside furniture.  And how unusual is that multi-sided entrance?  Even the brick paver’s seem well placed; someone put a lot of thought into the design of this little beauty.  This home could be a place where I would live, but where I really live is inside my own skin and that house is showing its age.  Wouldn't it be nice if I could change that abode to something more pleasing?  Well, it will happen, sooner or later as The God of heaven, will supply me with a new spiritual body and a new place to live in as well.  Jesus puts it this way...

John, Chapter 14
 1  “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.   2  In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.   3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.   4  Where I go, you know, and you know the way.” 

  5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 

  6  Jesus said to him, 
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.   7  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.”

If God were to design a home, what would it be like?  Don't know, but from what I hear, that first home for humans (the garden of Eden) was a nice place.  Perhaps, God will just read our minds and give us our hearts desire or maybe have someone like Moses or Elijah get us to fill out a "wish list" form.  I think mine would include a swimming pool out back (salt based purification, thank you) and a veranda and a heated pool for relaxation as well.  I don't know where God will put it in heaven- I guess I will just have to ask Jesus to show me the way!!! Why not????



From Ben Fronczek.... Acts 20 Paul’s Example

Acts 20 Paul’s Example

Paul’s Example  -   Acts 20:17-38
Have you ever thought about if you had one last thing to say or share with this church what would it be? In our story from Acts 20, Paul is on his way back home from his third missionary journey. And the sad reality was, he knew that he would never see those people again this side of heaven. I just imagine just how he felt knowing that they would probably never see him again. Some of us have had to deal with those feeling at one time or another in our life. 

Read this story in  Acts 20:17-38

I think Paul shared some important things with these people in this text before he said goodbye.   Yes he was sad about having to have to say goodbye, but I also think he left them with something to chew on and think about even after he left. Here Paul talked about his own ministry while with them. I can’t help but think that since he knew that this was the last time that he would ever speak to them he probably chose his words very carefully.  Actually, I think he left them with a great example to follow. The question I have for you is, do you have what it takes to follow his example? Today I would like to briefly look at what he told them, his example, and maybe look at what he said that we can apply to ourselves as we try to walk this Christian walk.

Re-read 20:17-19     ” 17 From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. 18 When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house.”                                                                             

#1) The first thing he mentions concerning how he lived among them is how he served the Lord with great humility. The Greek word used here denotes the idea of having a humble opinion of one’s self, a deep sense of one’s own moral littleness, a sense of modesty and lowliness of mind. Paul did not come into Ephesus like some kind of big shot preacher. He was gentle and meek, without a high and mighty or puffed up attitude.

 Later when Paul wrote to the Ephesians in Chapter 4:2-3 he wrote, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love, make every effort to keep the bond of unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace,”

Question, are you bearing with one another in love? Are you putting with those brothers and sister in Christ that got you upset or angry?  Are you making every effort to keep the peace which is a bond ordained by the Spirit of God? Are you perusing peace? Or are you letting Satan get a foot-hold in your heart by  holding on to that anger and frustration with others?  If you are, you just have to let it go. Turn it all over to Jesus. You might be thinking, “Easier said than done.” Did you ever think, ‘Maybe you just don’t want to let it go.’ You might be thinking, ‘But I was right and they were wrong. Who were they do or say that to ME?’ I’m not saying that it was right for them to hurt you, but you need to let those feeling go before Satan uses those feeling to destroy you. And believe me, ‘That’s just what he wants to do.’  He is playing with you and your feeling.  And just smiling all the way as you play into his hands. Paul had a lot to be angry and frustrated about, especially how he was treated, but he seem to just let it go and give it over to Jesus. You need to do that as well or you’re never going to find peace. Paul learned how to become a humble and gentle man, and so should we. Ultimately, this will show and demonstrates our trust in Jesus.

#2) The second thing he mentions is the fact that he not only served the Lord with humility, but also with tears.  As I read this I couldn’t not help but think about the passion this man had as he served the Lord.  We know that Paul was a very passionate when it came to serving our Lord and the church.

Verse 31 says, “be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

When he saw people fall in love with Jesus, change their lives, and give  themselves to the Lord I’m sure it touched his heart. And I’m sure when he saw people ignoring, and ‘poo pooing’ the message of the cross and how people turned away, it probably really bothered him.  It especially got him upset when Christians began to turn away from Jesus, the church, and the truth of the Gospel to a lie. (Like in Galatians) Paul took message of the Cross and his service to Christ to heart. He was passionate about it. What about you?
Is Sunday morning the only time you think about Jesus, the church and how lost so many people without Jesus?  The less compassionate you are, the less your mind will be focus on these things, and the harder you’re going to become. You are not going to want to treat one another with love or even make an effort to keep the bond of peace intact. You’re going to be less patient with people and start thinking they’re all jerks. Paul was no wimp. He endured beatings like none of us can imagine and probably did not shed a tear.. Yet when it came to this stuff, his heart melted and tears flowed.

#3. The next things that Paul goes on to mention in the text is in verse 20. 

He said,  
“You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”

Because of his love, because of his passion, Paul couldn’t help but speak about Jesus when and wherever he could. Yes he was an Apostle, yes he was commissioned by Jesus to bring the Good New to the Gentiles, but no one could forced him to have such a loving and passionate spirit like he had, with a willingness to always go the 2nd mile for Jesus. It probably really bothered him when he didn’t speak up knowing full well that those people would die without Jesus and probably go to eternal damnation. Sometimes I think we push that truth aside…

#4. Paul also goes on to remind them of one more thing in verses 33-35 concerning how he acted when he worked with them.  

“I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. 34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak.”

When it came to serving the Lord and the brethren, I don’t think there was a greedy selfish bone in Paul’s body.  It says a lot about his motives. I have known some who because they couldn’t find work decided to go to preacher school because they knew that someone or some church would support them while they were in school and then after they graduated had nothing to do with the church. I know some preachers who go through churches like stepping stones  to make more money as they go on to bigger and bigger churches.  I’ve heard of members who sell insurance, or have other businesses who switch churches for business reasons so that they can network with  new people with each change.
That’s not why Paul went from place to place preaching. Paul did it because He loved our Lord and wanted to get the Good News out and so he would have done anything to serve him, including die.

Read verses 22-24 “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. 23 I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. 24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. “  

So we read here that even though the Holy Spirit let him know of the hardship that was ahead,  it didn’t matter, he had to finish the course set out before him.
In another place Paul later wrote while in prison,  

“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

So how could he do what he did? How could he live like that? 

-  We read here that he was sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. As a matter of fact he said that he was compelled by the Spirit in vs. 22.

-  Some of you have asked me, “How do I know if I doing what God wants me to do?” Or how do I know if God want me to do something?”

-  I think if God wants you to do something His Spirit will let you know. You will be compelled. The Spirit’s has a way of prompting us. Maybe it will be this uncanny urge, gut feeling like you should do something. I think if God wants you do something you’ll know it. An this will not conflict with what He tells us to do in His word.

-   We also read here that Paul adopted a humble, compassionate, non-greedy attitude as he went about serving. These are all personal choices we make. We choose to be humble. We choose not to be greedy. We choose  to serve in the name of Jesus. And we also allow ourselves to be sensitive and compassionate.
The questions is can you do that?  I know that you can. Some of you are doing these things already. Are any of us perfect? No. But we need to keep being reminded that this way of life is something we should strive for. It will give us the most peace, and will help us to be a better servant.

In Verse 36-37 we read that  “When Paul had finished speaking, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.  (After that)  They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. 38 What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. “

I can’t help but believe that if you follow Paul’s example of humility, love, and compassion that will touch the heart of people like Paul's did. I Pray that his example will inspire you and move you to examine yourself, and your motives and enable you to say, “I want to be like that.”

Prayer  & Invitation

From Jim McGuiggan.... Gifts: Prized and Despised

Gifts: 

Prized and Despised

 The Philippians were given a double-barrelled gift. He speaks of the trouble they're going through (1:28) and he wants to put it in the right context. So in 1:29-30 he makes this astonishing claim: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."
He says it has been "granted" to them. This isn't the language of mere "allowance" and still less is it the language of "luck". The Greek verb is echaristhe, which has the word "charis" at its heart. "Charis" is the word we usually translate grace. Can you imagine that? It has been given to them as a gift not only to believe on Christ but also to suffer for his sake.
How pleased we are to hear that God has been gracious to them in their coming to believe in Jesus Christ. This gift of faith isn't forced on anyone since it wouldn't then be a gift but Paul's claim is plain enough, the faith the Philippians had in Christ didn't come to them by willing it or earning it or creating it. It came as God's gracious gift. Who wouldn't be pleased?
But the gift that came with their faith was the gracious gift of a difficult life. This privilege and grace came from God! Paul knew that it came via the hands of their enemies but he insisted that they were simply carrying God's gift to the Philippians. Their enemies meant it for evil and God meant it for good. The Philippian pain and loss was a gift from God for redemptive purposes.
Can pain and loss be a "gift from God" to us as well? And if he sends a gift in strange and ominous hands, but clearly marked, "To you, from God," should we refuse it and mark it, "Return to sender"?

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Paul's Prayer For The Philippians (1:9-11)

                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                Paul's Prayer For The Philippians (1:9-11)

INTRODUCTION

1. True to the form found in several of his epistles, Paul follows his
   salutation and thanksgiving with a prayer for his readers

2. Found in 1:9-11, we find in this prayer that Paul is concerned about
   four things in the spiritual growth and development of the brethren at
   Philippi

[The first of these is...]

I. THAT THEIR LOVE MAY ABOUND (9)

   A. "STILL MORE AND MORE"...
      1. We have seen where they had excelled in their love toward Paul
         and others in the past
         a. Towards Paul - Php 4:15-16
         b. Towards the needy saints in Jerusalem - 2Co 8:1-5
      2. But a cardinal principle of Christian growth is that it should
         never stop!
         a. In developing the graces of a Christ-like character, we
            should always be increasing - cf. 2Pe 1:5-8
         b. Even if we are in no need for someone to teach us "how" to
            love, we can always use the admonition to "increase" our
            love! - e.g., 1Th 4:9-10
      3. And so, Paul prays that their love may abound "still more and
         more"

   B. "IN KNOWLEDGE AND ALL DISCERNMENT"...
      1. These are the "guidelines" in which their love was to abound
         a. "in knowledge" - according to the right moral principles
            (which comes from God's Word)
         b. "all discernment" - using wisdom to apply these moral
            principles most effectively (such wisdom comes from asking
            for it in prayer - Jm 1:5; Pr 2:1-9)
      2. Thus Paul's prayer is that their love may abound for the right
         things and in the right way!

[If Paul felt such was necessary for the Philippians, how much more for
ourselves today!  May we never be satisfied with the degree of love
that we may have, but strive to increase our knowledge and wisdom of
how to love others more abundantly.

As Paul continues, it is his prayer for the Philippians...]

II. THAT THEY MAY APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT (10a)

   A. THE "PURPOSE" OF ABOUNDING IN LOVE STILL MORE AND MORE?
      1. It is possible that Paul is being progressive in his thoughts
         here
      2. I.e., rather than just listing four equal but unrelated thoughts
         in this prayer, each of the four are related and the last three
         are but building on the thoughts which precede them (a form of
         "stairlike" progressive parallelism common in Hebrew writings)
      3. If such is the case, then Paul is now explaining "why" our love
         should abound...

   B. "MAY APPROVE THE THINGS THAT ARE EXCELLENT"...
      1. To "approve" is to "try, test, demonstrate"
      2. This passage is reminiscent of Ro 12:2, where we learn that we
         are to "prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will
         of God"
      3. Prove to whom?
         a. To ourselves?  Certainly...
         b. But even more so, to prove to others that God's way is the
            best way! - cf. 1Pe 2:15

[Therefore, by abounding in love still more and more with all knowledge 
and discernment, we are able to demonstrate by our "actions" that God's 
way is the more excellent way!

But there is another reason, as we continue to see that Paul is 
concerned for the Philippians...]

III. THAT THEY MAY BE SINCERE AND WITHOUT OFFENSE (10b)
   
   A. DEFINING "SINCERE" AND "WITHOUT OFFENSE"...
      1. "sincere" involves:
         a. Having perfect openness toward God and man
         b. With a clear conscience (not hypocritical)
      2. "without offense" means not to provide occasions for others to
         stumble - Ro 14:13

   B. SUCH VIRTUES WILL BE FOUND IN THOSE WHO ARE...
      1. Abounding in love still more and more, in knowledge and all
         discernment!
      2. Approving the things that are excellent by their conduct!
      -- See Paul's progression in thought?

   C. PAUL'S CONCERN IS THAT THESE VIRTUES WILL LAST "TILL THE DAY OF
      CHRIST"...
      1. This is the second time in this epistle Paul has referred to
         this "day" (cf. 1:6)
      2. He is referring to the day when Christ comes again, a day of
         "destruction" for some, but "glory" for others! - 2 Th 1:7-12
      3. Perhaps Paul's concern that these virtues of being "sincere and
         without offense" lasting till the day of Christ is based upon
         what will happen to those in the kingdom who are guilty of such
         things - cf. Mt 13:41-43

[Such a strong warning by Jesus Himself should encourage us to take the 
thoughts of Paul very seriously!

Finally, we notice in Paul's prayer for the Philippians a concern for 
their...]

IV. BEING FILLED WITH THE FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (11)

   A. WHICH APPEAR TO BE THE RESULT OF...
      1. Abounding in love still more and more in knowledge and all
         discernment
      2. Approving the things that are excellent
      3. Being sincere and without offense
      -- Notice again the "stairlike" progressive parallelism@!

   B. SUCH FRUITS ARE POSSIBLE ONLY "BY JESUS CHRIST"...
      1. For without Him, we would not know what true love really is! 
         - 1Jn 3:16
      2. For without Him, we would not have the ability to demonstrate
         what is excellent - cf. Php 4:13

   C. SUCH FRUITS ARE TO BE OFFERED "TO THE GLORY AND PRAISE OF GOD"...
      1. Just as Jesus said in letting our light shine - Mt 5:16
      2. Just as Peter wrote in speaking of our good works - 1Pe 2:12
      3. And rightfully so, for it is God who through the gift of His Son
         has...
         a. Shown us what love really is
         b. Taught us what things are really excellent in His sight
         c. Empowered us to be able to demonstrate the excellence of His
            Will, that we may be sincere and without offense!

CONCLUSION

1. Such is Paul's prayer for the Philippians, for a church that had
   demonstrated it's love and faithfulness to Paul again and again

2. Even as excellent as the church was, Paul could still pray for them to
   abound still more and more!

3. How much more, then, should we!  May we take the prayer of Paul, and
   make it our own for  ourselves and for brethren we know!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011