"make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." Phil. 2:2
Pastors are special people. They give of themselves all day long and twice on Sunday. They tirelessly work for the kingdom, count the cost, lay down their lives and, bless em, shepherd us pitiful lambs. I am fortunate to have a pretty great Pastor...one who exemplifies all of the above mentioned things. I praise and thank God every day that He has raised up this man for such a time as this. Pastor J wouldn't want the praise directed anywhere but back to the Lord, exactly where it should go. So...praise be to God for working through him to reach this body and county for Christ!
Have you ever thought about what truly makes your Pastor's joy complete? I gotta say, I hadn't until I studied this passage of Philippians. What really lights a fire in his heart regarding the body of believers he leads?
Paul was a pastor/shephard to a LOT of people. He traveled all over the middle east and beyond telling people of God's grace. He tells us in this chapter what makes him smile ear to ear.
When we as the body submit ourselves to the call of God and work together, not only is our earthly shepherd pleased but more so is our Heavenly Shepherd. They love nothing more than to see us of the same mind, loving others, united in Spirit and intently working together toward the purpose of advancing the Kingdom.
Paul tells us exactly how to do this: by taking Christ's attitude (vs. 5)
Jesus Christ, who is God the Son, emptied himself of all entitlement and became a bond servant for us. A bond servant voluntarily gives up his freedom to become a slave. We too must voluntarily give up our entitlement issues, our pride, our preferences and humble ourselves to serve each other. AND...we are to do all this without grumbling or arguing (vs. 14).
Why?
Why should we give up what WE want for others?
Why should we be unified?
-To show the world Jesus.
-So we will be blameless and innocent before the people who want nothing more to point a finger at Christ followers in accusation (vs. 15). Ever heard the comment, "Why should I go to church? They back stab each other worse than anyone I know?" I have and it breaks my heart.
-We are the light to them. To show how God's people are to treat each other and those around them. (vs. 15)
-So our pastors know that what they work so hard to accomplish is not done in vain (vs. 16). Pastors need encouragement too!
Church, let's bond together in unity! To love extravagantly, to work tirelessly alongside each other. To glorify God and to lift up our shepherds. All denominations, all races, ALL God's people.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Pray for me, Friend
"For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart" Phil. 1:7a
There is nothing better than a great friend. The ones that have seen you through the fire. The ones you laugh with. The ones who have held you at your lowest. The ones that are blood even though you aren't related. I am so very blessed to have a few of these.
Today starts a journey in this study of the word phroneo into the book of Philippians. I'm gonna be here awhile and that is just fine with me, because it's one of my favorites. There is such richness here.
Paul begins this letter by greeting his friends and coworkers in the faith. His attitude toward them is one I hope to show to the dear people in my life that I have the pleasure of doing life with.
In verses 3 and 4, he says that every time he thinks of them, he thanks God for them. Always praying for them joyfully.
During a recent conversation with one of my dear friends, I became clearly aware of just how much people depend on ME for prayer. This may sound arrogant but it's not. There are several people that look to me to pray for them and assume that I am doing just that. Let me tell you...that is a sobering thought. It's by no means a burden...it's an honor. They ask me to pray when they have no words. They ask me to pray to beg the Father for change, or healing, or revival, or for family members who desperately need him. They ask me to pray because they know God is the only one who can change their situations. NOTHING gives me greater pleasure than to intercede for friends and then watch as God does his thing in their lives, accomplishing things that make me praise him and sit back in awe. BEST. HIGH. EVER!!!
What sobered me during that revelation was that I have been slack in the prayer department lately. Not taking the time to go to the throne for those who need the support and have ASKED me for it. When someone humbles themselves to ask for prayer...they NEED it. It's not a light request. It's a true need. I hate to even admit that I have said I'd pray and then promptly forget about it and go on about my business.
As I took time to reflect on this, I began to rewind the tape of their lives recently. I noticed three things:
1. Their lives were noticeably tougher.
Their circumstances hadn't changed, but the way they were reacting to them was. The enemy has been reeking havoc in their lives and they were feeling defeated. Reacting out of flesh instead of Spirit. I hadn't been praying protection over them, an outpouring of the Spirit in their lives, a touch of the Father. Please don't take this as arrogance or me saying that MY prayers are more powerful to move God's hand than anyone else's. I do believe that as God's child, I have the right (because of Jesus) to ask things of my Father and that he bends his ear to listen. Scripture clearly supports this over and over. He has also proved to do just that in the lives of those I have gone to battle over in the prayer realm.
2. My counsel for them was lacking.
I wasn't able to give them godly advice because I hadn't asked God what to say. I take counseling those who seek it a very serious matter. I don't EVER want to give counsel that is mine, only HIS. If they take the advice given, and it's not from the Lord, there could be great consequences. Heaven forbid it!! I want God forming every word that comes from my mouth.
3. My relationship with God was distant.
Slack off in the prayer department and spending time in the Word isn't far behind. And I NEED time in the Word or my ugly flesh will rise up and overtake me. Prayer and devotional time go hand in hand. The good news is that the intimacy lacking in my relationship is just a prayer away. Once I recognize the distance, I want to quickly repent of not making Him a priority and dive deep into some time with him again. He is always there when I come home.
So, here is my commitment to you, dear friends...
From today forward, I promise to
1. Pray for you joyfully (vs. 4)
2. Happily remember how far God has brought you on your journey (vs. 5)
3. Claim the promise that God will complete the good work in you
He started (vs. 6)
4. Hold you in my heart (vs. 7)
DAILY...EVERY TIME I think of you..because I sure do love you!!
There is nothing better than a great friend. The ones that have seen you through the fire. The ones you laugh with. The ones who have held you at your lowest. The ones that are blood even though you aren't related. I am so very blessed to have a few of these.
Today starts a journey in this study of the word phroneo into the book of Philippians. I'm gonna be here awhile and that is just fine with me, because it's one of my favorites. There is such richness here.
Paul begins this letter by greeting his friends and coworkers in the faith. His attitude toward them is one I hope to show to the dear people in my life that I have the pleasure of doing life with.
In verses 3 and 4, he says that every time he thinks of them, he thanks God for them. Always praying for them joyfully.
During a recent conversation with one of my dear friends, I became clearly aware of just how much people depend on ME for prayer. This may sound arrogant but it's not. There are several people that look to me to pray for them and assume that I am doing just that. Let me tell you...that is a sobering thought. It's by no means a burden...it's an honor. They ask me to pray when they have no words. They ask me to pray to beg the Father for change, or healing, or revival, or for family members who desperately need him. They ask me to pray because they know God is the only one who can change their situations. NOTHING gives me greater pleasure than to intercede for friends and then watch as God does his thing in their lives, accomplishing things that make me praise him and sit back in awe. BEST. HIGH. EVER!!!
What sobered me during that revelation was that I have been slack in the prayer department lately. Not taking the time to go to the throne for those who need the support and have ASKED me for it. When someone humbles themselves to ask for prayer...they NEED it. It's not a light request. It's a true need. I hate to even admit that I have said I'd pray and then promptly forget about it and go on about my business.
As I took time to reflect on this, I began to rewind the tape of their lives recently. I noticed three things:
1. Their lives were noticeably tougher.
Their circumstances hadn't changed, but the way they were reacting to them was. The enemy has been reeking havoc in their lives and they were feeling defeated. Reacting out of flesh instead of Spirit. I hadn't been praying protection over them, an outpouring of the Spirit in their lives, a touch of the Father. Please don't take this as arrogance or me saying that MY prayers are more powerful to move God's hand than anyone else's. I do believe that as God's child, I have the right (because of Jesus) to ask things of my Father and that he bends his ear to listen. Scripture clearly supports this over and over. He has also proved to do just that in the lives of those I have gone to battle over in the prayer realm.
2. My counsel for them was lacking.
I wasn't able to give them godly advice because I hadn't asked God what to say. I take counseling those who seek it a very serious matter. I don't EVER want to give counsel that is mine, only HIS. If they take the advice given, and it's not from the Lord, there could be great consequences. Heaven forbid it!! I want God forming every word that comes from my mouth.
3. My relationship with God was distant.
Slack off in the prayer department and spending time in the Word isn't far behind. And I NEED time in the Word or my ugly flesh will rise up and overtake me. Prayer and devotional time go hand in hand. The good news is that the intimacy lacking in my relationship is just a prayer away. Once I recognize the distance, I want to quickly repent of not making Him a priority and dive deep into some time with him again. He is always there when I come home.
So, here is my commitment to you, dear friends...
From today forward, I promise to
1. Pray for you joyfully (vs. 4)
2. Happily remember how far God has brought you on your journey (vs. 5)
3. Claim the promise that God will complete the good work in you
He started (vs. 6)
4. Hold you in my heart (vs. 7)
DAILY...EVERY TIME I think of you..because I sure do love you!!
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