philippians Archives - Do Not Depart

And He Shall Be Called Series Intro

January 6, 2022 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

What child is this? As we pack up our Christmas decorations and turn our eyes to what the new year brings, it’s worth remembering that the baby in the manger did not stay a baby. He grew in wisdom and stature to be a teacher and shepherd who brought the kingdom of heaven to earth, fulfilling the Law and Prophets. A suffering servant who humbly and innocently took on the sin of the world in order to make a way for us to live in a restored relationship with God. A king who defeated death and bought our freedom.

In December we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, the one they named Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Let’s start the year reflecting on the name that is above all names, Jesus, who is the same, yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

A Penny for Your Thoughts? Speaking Truth to Yourself

February 9, 2021 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

Words are powerful. At the beginning of this series, Jennifer shared the creative nature of words and Ali reminded us that our words can build people up or tear them down. Today, I’m going to talk about the words we speak to ourselves.

A Penny for Your Thoughts

I don’t know about you, but I estimate that I have a bajillion thoughts on any given day. Maybe a bajillion and ten on a quiet day. Now, math is not my strongest subject, but the numbers here clearly indicate that the person I talk to the most is me! It stands to reason then that what I say to myself matters.

Are my thoughts reflecting truth? Encouraging endurance? Leading me to Jesus?

Or are they distracting, tearing me down by reinforcing lies?

Why Would I Want My Own Destruction?

We know that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but it’s easy to forget how often the enemy is my own heart!

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. (Romans 7:15)

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.” Proverbs 28:26

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19

Sometimes the thoughts come unbidden, invading quiet moments. Other times, they’re triggered by a strong emotion or the need for a response. Regardless, they have the power to make or break my whole day.

I don’t remember exactly when I heard it, or who said it, but somewhere in my “young mom years” a wise woman shared the advice that the glass is only half-empty if you see it that way. In other words, you need some positive self-talk.

Think About These Things

While there are many resources out there advocating the benefits and tricks of positive self-talk, what it essentially boils down to is recognizing the lie and replacing it with the truth.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5, NIV)

In my house, we call it “changing the narrative”. We use the Phillippians 4:8 test to encourage one another to listen to the truth.

Changing the Narrative is recognizing the lie and replacing it with the Truth. #wordsoflifeClick To Tweet

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

“Nobody likes me!” Is that true?

“Ugh, I don’t want to invite that kid to the party. His parents are so obnoxious!” Is that just?

“I’m going to eat this box of cookies because I had a really bad day and I deserve it.” Is that lovely or excellent?

“I hate this!” Is that honoring?

Of course, positive self-talk is more than just slipping on your rose-colored glasses. The Truth and Justice found in the Word of Life will always remind us of our need for Jesus, the One Most Worthy of Praise.

In her book, Made to Crave, Lysa Terkurst writes, “We consume what we think about and we think about what we consume.” If we fill our minds and hearts with Scripture, we will find our words to ourselves and others reflecting reality in light of Truth and we will be able to walk in the power of His Spirit.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

When You Don’t Know What to Say, Say This

February 13, 2020 by Lisa Burgess 12 Comments

When you don’t know what to say, say blessings from scripture. Philippians 1:9-11 is a prayer for love, wisdom, and hope.

When Words Don’t Come

I didn’t know what to say.

I have friends who live in a special apartment complex in my city. They are there for different reasons: some are physically disabled, some are mentally disabled, some are financially unstable.

Their needs are varied. And their needs are usually great. They face things daily that I haven’t faced at all.

So when we deliver meals to them on Wednesday nights, they’ll occasionally want prayer.

And when they do? I often don’t know what to pray for them.

Try a Benediction

One of my friends there was slow coming to her door last week. She heard us knock and asked us to wait. When she finally opened the door, we could tell she was distressed.

She shared briefly what was going on, but she was too exhausted to explain it all. I asked if we could pray for her, and she said of course.

But what could I say? There she sat in pain in her wheelchair with more needs than resources. And I was supposed to offer what?

I wasn’t sure of her circumstances. I didn’t have time to think it through. I didn’t want to sound trite or promise something I couldn’t guarantee.

When we don’t have words to pray—for whatever the reason—we can always pray a benediction.

Benedictions are short blessings often recited over a congregation at the end of a worship service. They remind us to stay expectant for God’s grace. (Read an encouraging article here about 5 Reasons to Recover Benedictions at Church.)

Offer Hope through Philippians 1:9-11

Every Sunday morning with my church, Pastor Pat closes out our service with these words written by the apostle Paul 2,000 years ago to the church at Philippi.

We open our hands and hearts to receive this:

“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so 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.”
Philippians 1:9-11

These words are embedded now in my soul. Our memory group at Do Not Depart (Hide His Word) recently memorized all of Philippians 1. These words keep chasing me.

So when I don’t know what to pray, I know I can safely pray these things over anybody, in any circumstance:

I pray that they will:

Know love, more and more
Gain knowledge and use wisdom to make the next right decisions
Be a positive influence among their friends and family
Stay expectant for a brighter future
Experience the love of Jesus for the glory of God

When I prayed for my friend, I didn’t use those exact words. I didn’t go through a checklist in my mind.

But because I’ve heard these truths spoken over me so often and because I’ve used them so much over myself in memorization and meditation, the Spirit breathes them out when I need to share them with others.

I didn’t solve my friend’s problems that day. I didn’t change her circumstances. I had so little to contribute.

But at least in offering a blessing of hope, I hope she felt more loved and less alone.

Find Your Blessing to Give

Is there a passage of God’s love that you can give to others? Find a prayer to say, if you haven’t yet. Our series this month here at Do Not Depart is a great starting point to find a blessing you can pray over others.

It will free you to pray confidently with others regardless of circumstances.
It will bless others with words of truth and hope and love spoken to God on their behalf.
And it will please God that you are blessing others for Him.

It’s what He wants His kids to do for each other.

When you don’t know what to say, say this. See these words of love, wisdom, and hope from Philippians 1. #Benedictions

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Do you have a favorite scripture you pray for others, with others? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.

Shine Like Stars Study Recap

March 31, 2015 by Caroline Leave a Comment

Thank you for joining us this month as we studied Philippians 2:1-18 together.

This month:

Ali looked at Philippians 2:1-2 and how we are all different, but united.
Kathy noted the counter-culture focus in Philippians 2:3-5.
Lisa shared 5 ways to listen better — and shine brighter — after reading Philippians 2:5-11.
I looked at how obedience takes hard work, but it’s not work we do alone from Philippians 2:12-13.
Lindsey detailed what shining like stars really looks like for believers, via Philippians 2:14-16.
Patti pointed out how Philippians 2:17-18 shows us that serving and rejoicing coexist.

As a community, we can shine like stars, telling others of God’s brightness.

So, tell us: What verse(s) stuck out to you the most this month? How can we encourage each other, members of the community of believers, to shine His love today? Share in the comments!

We’ve studied Philippians 2 all month long. Come share your shining bright stories today! #ShineLikeStars

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A recap of the #ShineLikeStars study:

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Shine Like Stars: Give and Rejoice {Philippians 2:17-18}

March 28, 2015 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

We have spent this month reading and reflecting on Philippians 2… on how we who walk with Christ are called to shine like stars in our often dark world.

How do we shine? By…

Our final verses in this month’s study are Philippians 2:17-18.

Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

What more can we glean about shining from these two verses?

we choose to give
we rejoice!

Give

Sometimes God calls us to give sacrificially. To be poured out.

In ancient Israel, many types of offerings were made by the priests on the altar of the Lord. The Old Testament goes into great detail about the nature of these offerings – among them, which types of offerings were to be made for specific circumstances and even the level of offering based upon one’s wealth.

The drink offering was one of the types of offerings. Usually wine, a drink offering was often poured over other offerings on the altar. All offerings required a sacrifice of some kind on the part of the giver.

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he refers to himself as the offering. And we can apply this to ourselves as well.

As we selflessly seek to walk with God – to love and serve others, to shine like stars – we are called to lay our lives down and make them an offering. We become as a gift on His altar.

We know that Jesus’ death on the cross was the final offering needed to reconcile us to God. The offerings we make as His children we do out of love, not obligation. Your gift of love as you pour yourself out in His service is a sweet aroma to your heavenly Father!

Rejoice – the Right Response to Serving

Let us not be deceived – you can give and give but not shine.

When you allow God to pour you out in service to others, you can take that gift and twist it. It is frighteningly easy to do.

You can feel used, you can feel sorry for yourself, you can act like a martyr. When you do this, you take the shiny gift of service and muddy it with selfishness.

Paul is clear – serve and rejoice. Give all that you have and all that you are, be poured out to the last drop, and rejoice in what God is doing!

I will be honest: there have been times when I have been poured out and felt so dry that I have thrown myself a pity party. When I look at those times I can see two very clear reasons:

I was not prioritizing abiding in God and in His Word, so was operating from my own strength
I had allowed a spirit of complaining and wrong thinking to creep in and replace an attitude of thanksgiving

Remember, there is a battle for our minds! And as Ali reminded us, “as both His body and His bride we’re called to be united with Christ in the same mind.”

Rejoice Together

Philippians has been called the “joy book” of the bible for good reason. Paul wove the theme of joy deeply throughout his letter to his brothers and sister in Philippi.

Paul encouraged his beloved brethren to rejoice with him, and what a good word this is for us today too!

We each face many earthly struggles and sorrows – there is just no escaping them. In fact Jesus Himself told us to expect them: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b Even in the midst of pain, we who follow Christ can rejoice!

We rejoice together because of Whose we are.

We rejoice together because we believe that God is sovereign, that He is working all things together for good, that we will see Him one day face to face.

Our heavenly Father has made us brothers and sisters, given us to one another to love and enjoy. We bear each other’s burdens and share in each other’s joys.

Our joy in Christ and in one another makes us shine even more!

For further study:

1) Other references to drink offerings in Old Testament include Genesis 35:14, Ezra 7:17 and Numbers 28:7. What happened to the drink offerings?
2) When does Philippians 4:4 say we should rejoice?
3) Consider how your mind plays a role in your ability to rejoice. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5. How can you actively engage in keep your mind on the right track? What is the result of thinking about God and His ways, according to Isaiah 26:3?
4) Reflect: how do other believers help you rejoice? Think of one person in your life who rejoices with you regularly and take the time to call them or jot a note to thank them for blessing you in this way.

Give and Rejoice! – a #ShineLikeStars post on Phil 2:17-18

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We make our lives an offering. Give and rejoice! #ShineLikeStars

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Rejoice together because of Whose you are! #ShineLikeStars

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How Christians Shine Like Stars

March 19, 2015 by Lindsey 3 Comments

How Believers Shine Like Stars in the Universe — photo courtesy: unsplash

Paul told the Christians in Philippi to “shine like stars in the sky.”

I love that word picture, don’t you?

Have you ever been outside in the country on a very clear night and looked up at the stars?

One thing I love about going to my parents’ house is being able to see the stars with unhindered clarity.

They live in the country, so there’s very little light pollution hindering the stars’ beauty.

Instead, when we look into the sky we can usually see glistening, beautiful diamonds. It looks like an artist’s canvas, background painted deep blue with sparkling glitter added in intricate detail.

That’s the word picture Paul painted for us in Philippians 2:14-16: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life…”

Just as a star sparkles in the night sky, so also we should shine in a world that is darkened by sin.

What does this look like in real life, though? What is it that makes us shine like stars in the sky?

I think we can find the answer in the larger context of Philippians 2.

Reading through verses 1-16, here are some ways believers in Jesus shine like stars.

How Christians Shine Like Stars in the Sky:

Verse 3 – They are unselfish.
Verses 3-11 – They are humble.
Verse 4 – They look out for the needs and interests of others.
Verses 8, 12 – They walk in obedience to God.
Verse 14- They do everything without complaining or arguing.
Verse 14 – They live in purity.
Verse 16 – They hold out the Word of Truth.

Imagine a church where all the members did each of these things.

Imagine a world where people who claimed to believe in Jesus actually lived like it.

I can rarely go a day without complaining or arguing about something. I can also rarely go a day without being selfish…at least a little bit. My suspicion is, I’m not alone.

The truth is, if I started doing these things – if I stopped thinking about myself, started constantly thinking of others, stopped complaining about the inconveniences or irritations of life, and started living in complete purity – my light would shine a lot brighter.

If we want to shine like stars in the sky, we have to start by being honest with ourselves. Are we shining brightly like the stars…or is our light clouded by our own selfish actions?

If you’re feeling brave, leave a comment sharing which one of the ways listed above you struggle with most?

What does it mean to shine like a star in the sky? Read more from @LindseyMBell

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Imagine a world where people who claimed to follow Jesus really lived like it. @LindseyMBell

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Ways Christians Shine Like Stars via @LindseyMBell

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*photo courtesy: unsplash

Listen – 5 Ways to Shine at It

March 12, 2015 by Lisa Burgess 20 Comments

I hate long lines at Walmart. So when I saw Lane 5 had only one customer, I whipped over to unload my Pop Tarts, brown sugar, cheese slices.

I didn’t know a dreary day was about to sparkle because of it!

Because in Lane 5, the cashier was a star. Before I could unload the heavy things (dog food, Diet Cokes, Gatorades), there was Sandra at my side, scanning straight from my cart.

I complimented her on treating me like a princess. Sandra smiled and said we’re all sons and daughters of the King. She said, “I can’t control what will happen when you leave the store, but as long as you’re here in my line, you’ll get the royal treatment.”

What a bright light! Can we shine like that, too?

We’ve learned so far in our Philippians 2 study that to shine like a star, we stay united with other believers (Philippians 2:1-2), and we point outward to Christ, not to us (Philippians 2:3-5).

Today’s verses (Philippians 2:5-11) take it further. They tell us to give up.

That’s what Christ did. He emptied out. He humbled himself. He died to royalty to become one of us. So we could become one of His.

There are unlimited ways to practice this mind of Christ, but let’s take just one—it’s very simple, available daily, and totally accessible to each of us.

Talk less; listen more.

What a way to shine!

It’s a skill we’re losing in this age of fast communications. Tell me what you need to say in the least amount of characters possible. Send me a text. FB it. Tweet it. Just don’t call me or come over and make me listen for an hour when all I want to hear is a simple yes or no.

I confess this is hard, hard for me. I can quickly decline a phone call with only a minimally-guilty conscious. There are people I don’t want to listen to. It kills me when they call.

And maybe it should. When we die to self, we shine the brightest. Our relationships are resurrected. Christ is honored.

Listening to others is a practical form of dying to ourselves. Who needs your listening ear today?

Someone who isn’t being heard
Someone who is sick
Someone who is different than you
Someone who is needy
Someone who is angry
Someone who just loves to talk

Any faces come to mind? Are you groaning inside? I am.

Now that doesn’t mean you listen to your office mate complain for 30 minutes about her husband instead of doing your work. And if you only have 5 minutes to FaceTime before driving to get your child, you should only give 5 minutes. But give them full presence during it.

Listening also doesn’t equal approval of what is said or imply action will be taken. But until we listen, how will we know?

5 WAYS TO LISTEN BETTER

Show up
It takes action to put yourself in the presence of somebody else, whether in person or online. Listening is no passive exercise. Actively engage another human being.
Stay open
Don’t get defensive. Stay focused on hearing what the other person is saying, even when you want to tune out or argue back.
Be all there
Put down the phone. Turn away from the TV. Lay down the book. Listen with your eyes as well as your ears.
Ask questions
Being a good listener means inviting even more talking. Don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t understand. Will you tell me more?”
Let go
Maybe it is your turn to talk. You have a right to be heard, too, to be understood, to express your opinion. But don’t cling to your rights; sacrifice them when you can. Jesus did.

God always listens to us. Whenever, wherever, we decide to talk to Him, He’s all ears.

Wouldn’t it make Him happy if we’d extend the same grace to others? God loves it when we love each other. Such love brings honor to Him.

Give your total attention to that next person who wants to talk to you. To that call. To that message. Like Sandra my Walmart cashier said: We can’t control what happens to people outside our presence, but as long as they’re in our sight, let’s treat them special.

It’s a shiny way to love.

Talk less; listen more. What a way to love! 5 ways to shine at listening #ShineLikeStars

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How will you listen to the next person headed your way? 5 ways to listen better

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YOUR TURN
What type person do you struggle to listen to? Who needs you to hear them today? Who has listened well to you? We want to listen to YOUR stories in the comments.

Want to Shine? Then Stop Looking at “Me!”

March 10, 2015 by Kathy Howard 2 Comments

On Black Friday, November 2008, hundreds of out-of-control bargain hunters busted through the front doors of a Long Island Wal-Mart. The frenzied mob barreled through a line of employees in the entry knocking some to the ground and sending others fleeing for their lives. In the stampede, one young male employee was trampled to death.

No, they weren’t trying to escape a raging inferno or a madman with a gun. They just wanted to get to the bargains. A man lost his life because someone desperately wanted a big screen television.

We live in a self-absorbed culture. Our society teaches us to put ourselves first, to pamper ourselves, to step on others to get ahead. Figuratively, and apparently, literally.

Although extreme, this Black Friday tragedy is an example of our selfish sin nature in action. With no concern for others, each person selfishly acts to fulfill their own desires, charging ahead no matter whom might get hurt in the process. Every man – and woman – for himself.

What does it look like when everyone is looking out for “number one?” Simply take a look around. It’s the status quo for the good ‘ole USA.

But God operates on a different paradigm. His truth often – uh, make that usually – runs contrary to the accepted norm in the world around us.

Do we want to fit in with the world? Then we can simply keep putting ourselves and our own needs and desires first. We will blend right in with the darkness around us.

But what if we want to be a light in the darkness? What if we want to “shine like stars” and “hold out the word of life” to the lost souls around us? (See Philippians 2:15-16.)

The apostle Paul puts it this way in the second chapter of Philippians:

³Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. ⁴Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. ⁵You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:3-5, NLT

God calls us to live a counter-culture life:

Turn “me first” into “you first”
Turn “look what I can do” into “what can I do for you?”
Turn “pride” into “humility”

This is the way Jesus lived. And our attitudes should be like His. Yet, real discipleship doesn’t mean we just live like Jesus or follow His example. Real discipleship means we step out of the way and let Jesus live His life through us.

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

You see, we have no real light of our own. We shine like stars when we allow The Light of the Word to shine through us (John 8:12).

Want to shine? Then stop looking at “me” and look at Him.

What one thing can you do today to stop looking at yourself?

How to Shine Like a Star {Join Us for a Month-Long Study!}

March 3, 2015 by Caroline 5 Comments

One of my favorite biblical “word pictures” is “shining like stars” from Philippians 2:15:

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” – Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV)

This image was one of the first to strongly impact me as a new believer years ago, and it has an even stronger effect on me now as I’ve grown, walked through types of darkness, and seen just how special and essential light is.

It’s also one of the first analogies that we teach our children. Even young kids can understand that a small light — a single flashlight beam, a candle flame, or a night light — can cause darkness to vanish, and fears to ease along with it.

Light is powerful; God’s light even more so. Paul calls us to shine like stars in the community of believers to reflect Christ’s original light through us. Through doing so, we imitate His humility, His welcoming love, and His unending grace.

So this month, we are studying Philippians 2 (verses 1-18) together so we can remember how and why to shine like stars. Join us and shine with us!

What verse in Philippians 2 affects you strongly? Share in the comments!

How do you #ShineLikeStars? Study Philippians 2 with @DoNotDepart this month:

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Philippians 2 shows us how we can #ShineLikeStars. Join us for a month-long study on its impact:

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Your Moment of Surrender – 5 Little Things to Give Up

April 11, 2013 by Lisa Burgess 21 Comments

I dream that in a moment of dramatic testing, I’d make the big sacrifice. You know the one—gun to the head, demanding me to deny Jesus, my very life at stake. And I boldly proclaim, “Jesus forever!”, giving up my earthly life.

Yet I can’t give up my place in line at Walmart?

Do you also experience these smaller tugs of war to die to self and live for Christ? Afraid that if you loosen your grip, the situation will spin out of control or a treasure will slip through your fingers? I want to hand over all my concerns and plans to the Lord, but I don’t do it as fully as I’d like.

So how do we learn to let go of our will and grab hold of God’s?

HOW DID JESUS DO IT?

In coming to earth—trading in the Taj Mahal for a shack—Jesus turned Himself inside out, laying down all the privileges of royalty, living in the skin of a servant instead.

Who, though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
Philippians 2:6-7

How could He? Because He wanted to please the Father more than He wanted to please Himself (Luke 22:42). And because He understood the joy to come would exceed the cost of the moment (Hebrews 12:2).

So He surrendered to the moment (Luke 23:46).

YOUR MOMENT OF SURRENDER

Which moment is your grand moment of surrender? This one.

Maybe you’re not asked in this moment to physically die for the cause, but you are daily called to numerous symbolic deaths. Consider these five practices to help surrender a little thing today.

5 LITTLE THINGS TO GIVE UP

1. Give up the last word
In that discussion with your man or a co-worker, eliminate a few of your own words and instead listen to more of theirs. Giving up your demand to be understood and have the last word makes a difference in the climate of your home or office. Jesus was amazing at this (Mark 15:3-5).

2. Give up your place in line
That harried mom with the whiny toddler? Let her cut in line at the grocery store. Or make room for that speeding maniac to merge in front of you in traffic. By surrendering your place in line—literally and figuratively—you practice putting others before yourself, exactly what God did for you (Romans 8:32).

3. Give up doing it alone
Winning the prize for “Ms. Independent” isn’t a trophy you want. Practice humility by accepting help from others and learn selflessness by giving help to others. Even Jesus did nothing by Himself (John 5:19).

4. Give up a dollar
If your finances allow, add an extra dollar above your normal tip to the waitress. Or toss some cash to the guy collecting money for a good cause outside the mall. Small sacrifices are big practices for storing less treasure here and releasing more into the Kingdom (Matthew 6:19-21).

5. Give up the clear answer
Sometimes we hesitate and wait for overwhelming confirmation and safety before we’ll step out in faith. And while Jesus says count the cost, he also says follow him (Matthew 8:22). Peter didn’t have time to analyze the water temperature and buoyancy levels before he walked on the water to Jesus. Surrender your desire for perfect clarity and instead depend more on God’s grace.

LITTLE IS BIG

Every surrender is an offering to God that can bring Him glory, no matter its size. And maybe the little things are really big after all. Because when we surrender to Jesus, we lose nothing of value, but we gain an eternity of joy.

What “little things” are hard for you to surrender on a daily basis? What helps you give them up? Do you have a favorite scripture about surrendering? Please leave a comment below.

Some Days I Just Want to Give Up
3 Ways to Surrender in Your Home

April 9, 2013 by Teri Lynne Underwood 9 Comments

There are these people in my life. The demanding sort of people. The kind who always seem to be there at the most inopportune moments. The kind who don’t always think about what they say and how they say it. The kind who always, always want something from me. Sometimes, these people make me really tired. Often they frustrate me in ways I can’t even put into words. One, in particular, has the unique ability to find my last remaning nerve and jump on it. Another knows every one of my buttons and sometimes it seems finds inexplicable joy in pushing them, all at the same time.

These are the people who ask me questions like, “Where is my binder?” or “Do you know what time I have to be at the doctor?” They want to know what’s for supper and why there are no clean towels. They demand things like toilet paper in the bathrooms and snacks after school.

Some days, I look at all these people want from me and I really just want to give up.

Who are these tyrants in my life? My family. And, I’d guess if you are a wife and mom, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We’re often expected to be everything, know everything, and do everything—all at once.

A few weeks ago, the Lord laid a verse on my heart. Well, laid is a nice way to say it: Actually He beat me with it.

These lessons on humility are playing out in all sorts of ways … from understanding how hard repentance is to realizing how much I like to be right. But what I’m finding is this learning to “count others more significant” is hardest in my home.

As we spend this month at Do Not Depart considering a life surrendered, contemplating what it means to submit ourselves to the Lord and to one another, I’d guess that for many of us, the hardest place to surrender is in our homes.

I’d like to offer three ways I’m practicing surrender, humility, in my home. Maybe they’ll be helpful to you as well.

Focused Prayer. Each morning I am purposefully praying the Lord will give me a desire to serve the members of my family. In fact, I’ve asked Him to make me miserable if I don’t.
Fresh Perspective. I’ve been making a list of the ways my family members serve others. It helps me see how we are cultivating a heart of serving in our home. I tend to focus on the negative sometimes and this practice is helping me have a clearer view of the reality of our family’s focus and lifestyle.
First Priority. Every day I’m making it my first priority to serve the members of my family. Before I get my coffee, I am trying to make sure my husband has his. When I wake my girl, I’m working hard to use a positive tone and not nag her even when she’s running late.

A surrendered life has to happen at home first. We need to begin by serving first in our homes, learning to count ourselves less significant than the other members of our families. It’s the hardest place … but I firmly believe it’s the one place that carries the most weight.

How do you pursue a surrendered life in your home?

Where is your peace?

October 31, 2011 by Lisa Burgess 22 Comments

Don’t we all just want a few minutes of peace?

No bickering between the kids. No stress with the husband. No to-do list left undone in a clutter-free house.

So if peace is a fruit of the Spirit, why do I often feel I lose mine? And where did mine go last week when my computer died—the very week I was studying peace?

Shalom

The Jews in the Old Testament called it shalom. They used it as a common greeting (Judges 19:20) and still do today. Deeper than our typical “How are you?” shalom was more a blessing of “May you be prosperous in all things.”

But in the New Testament, peace (eirene) took on even greater depth. (Did you know peace is mentioned in every New Testament book except 1 John?) The apostle Paul coupled it with grace in his greetings—“Grace and peace to you.” And rightly so.

Through grace, we receive the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:15) from the God of peace (Philippians 4:9). Christ not only left His peace with us (John 14:27), but He is Himself our peace (Ephesians 2:14).

More than a feeling

So when our circumstances turn chaotic and our sons are sent to war and hearts are troubled from broken laptops, don’t look for your peace there. Our peace was never meant to rest in those things anyway.

Because our peace—peace the world can’t give—is more than a feeling.
It’s a person.

And in the person of Jesus Christ, our deepest peace can’t be disturbed (John 16:33). It’s secure. If we’ve come into relationship with Him, we have a wellness in our soul beyond our understanding, even when our outside is stressed.

Peace in the presence

God’s peace is above our intellect—don’t try to figure it out (Philippians 4:7). You won’t succeed.

But you can trust that it’s there. That He is there.

Because peace isn’t the absence of trouble.
Peace is the presence of God.

Even when the dog is barking and the car is overheating and the laptop is dying, God’s peace runs deeper still.

Trust Him to guard it for you. So you can worry less; worship more. Think on good things, not on figuring things out.

God’s got you covered.
He’ll keep giving you grace.
And He’ll always be your peace.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:2

What did you glean from studying peace last week?
Please share any insights from Philippians 4:4-9.
How do you see the fruit of peace in your life?

Philippians :: Summer Study Link-Up

August 4, 2011 by Katie Orr Leave a Comment

Well, its the week for link-ups around here! If you participated in the Philippians study this summer, even if you are not quite finished with it, we would LOVE to hear about what you’ve learned from the study of this great book. Let’s give God the glory for His work in our hearts this summer!

Just write up a post about your experience, and link it up back here! We can’t wait to read your posts, and hear about all the Lord has revealed to you through His word. (Feel free to link-up any of the posts you have written this summer about the Bible study!) If you don’t have a blog or time for a post, just leave a comment at the end of this post.

There is a new Bible study in the works, coming in September. It will be in conjuction with Inspired to Action’s Maximize Your Mornings fall challenge. Be sure to subscribe, if you haven’t already, so you don’t miss a thing!)

Philippians :: Week 11 :: Contentment in All Things

July 29, 2011 by Katie Orr 7 Comments

I’m going to perform a brain surgery today. Tomorrow I am going to climb Mt. Everest. After that, I’m going to fly a 747.

Photo Credit

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, right?

In case you missed the sarcasm: No, this blog has not been hacked.

What Paul really meant.

While I don’t think most of us would ever go this far in “claiming” this verse, I do think it is easy to misunderstand Paul’s heart behind penning these words.

We must pay attention to the context of this verse.

Paul is thanking the Philippian church for their partnership with him. They had been sending him financing for his ministry and gifts to encourage him personally. But he wants them to know that, thought he is thankful for them, he doesn’t need them. He needs Christ.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. -Philippians 4:11-13

Paul is trying to communicate that, though he has enjoyed their partnership, he doesn’t need their gifts. When Paul stated that he can do all things through him who strengthens, he meant that he has learned the secret to enduring all things: contentment.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

So, before we sport our coffee mugs and bumper stickers with this overly-used-out-of-context verse, let us be sure that we really mean what we are shouting off the rooftops. I can do all things through him who strengthens me is a declaration that Jesus is enough. If my husband loses his job, Jesus is enough. If my child walks away from the Lord, Jesus is enough. When my soul is in turmoil, Jesus is enough.

How has the Lord strengthened you as you strive to find contentment in all things?

There is SO MUCH MORE in this great set of verses. What did the Lord reveal to you through your study of Philippians 4:10-23?

An Announcement:

To wrap up our time together, next Friday we will have a linky open! We would LOVE to hear about how the Lord has used this study in your life. So, get your posts ready and head back here to share your heart with us.

Philippians :: Week 8 :: Are you good enough?

July 8, 2011 by Lisa Burgess 7 Comments

It’s good to be good. I get that. God calls us to do good things so he can be glorified (Matthew 5:16).

But do we carry it too far?

Not in doing good things (let’s always want that!), but by incorrectly thinking that doing good things makes us good.

Immediately after Paul told the Philippians to fill up on joy (Philippians 3:1), he gave them a very stern warning:

“Look out for the dogs!
Look out for the evildoers!
Look out for those who mutilate the flesh!” (verse 2)

Who were those dogs? They were grace-stealers. They were Jews who were trying to pull the fresh Christians away from grace and back into law.

They were the voices we still hear today, whispering and sometimes shouting: “You’re not doing enough. You’re not good enough! Is that the best you can do???”

But Paul gave a confident and reassuring answer that we need to listen to. He said we don’t have to be good enough.

And he should know. If anybody had a beefy spiritual resume, it was Paul (verse 4). He had credentials. His Benjamite blood line was pure, traceable all the way back to Jacob, as far as a Jew could go.

He was a Pharisee on fire for obeying the law, far more zealous than any Sadducee. But…

Was it good enough? Could his credentials earn his salvation?

Can yours? What do you take pride in?

Maybe you have a stellar record of church attendance. Or you teach a Bible class or two. Or you make great sacrifices to homeschool your kids. Ah, great items for the resume, yes?

No.

While those may be good things, they’re still zemia compared to knowing Christ. Zemia is the Greek word Paul used for “loss” in verse 3. As in detriment. Disadvantage.

If you’re relying on your own credentials to build your joy, you’re at a disadvantage. You’re wasting energy trying to be perfect on your own.

Instead, concentrate on knowing better the one who already is perfect. Hang out with him and let his blood rub off on you. His perfection is the only one you’ll ever need.

When we try to be right by our own goodness, we’re wrong. But when we accept the righteousness from God that depends on faith (verse 9), we go all the way through suffering to the other side of resurrection.

It’s painful to try to be perfect on our own. And it’s unnecessary. Christ has already done it for us.

So let’s heed Paul’s warnings and do as he did:

Rejoice in the Lord
Beware of grace-stealers
Put no confidence in our own works
Know Christ and build faith in him

Because it’s not what you do for him, it’s that you know him.

And that is reason to rejoice!

What have you gleaned from Philippians 3:1-11?
Do you still struggle with trying to do it all yourself?
How do you lean on Christ?

Philippians :: Week 4 :: God’s Purpose

June 10, 2011 by Lisa Burgess 18 Comments

God’s Gospel-Purpose for Us

We know that believing is a blessing. And has purpose.

But suffering? Really, Paul?

The apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. And his Philippian audience knew it. Not only was Paul writing this letter while under house arrest in Rome, but earlier in their very town of Philippi—a wealthy Roman colony—he and Silas had been dragged into the marketplace, stripped, beaten, and locked in stocks (Acts 16:19-24).

So when he writes “it has been granted to you” (1:29) to also suffer, he knows what he’s talking about.

And he expected them to suffer well. For a reason. Us, too?

There is a way to live that shows God’s good news (i.e., gospel) really is good. Stand united; keep the faith; suffer with confidence. Then it will be clear that we’ve been delivered (1:28).

But how?

Do we flinch when danger shows up? Do we get scared at the possibilities of all the things that can go wrong in a life—even “little” things like a stomach bug or a car breaking down or an overscheduled week?

Here are three ways Paul helps us consider it a favor when we face enemies:

1. Don’t be a loner.
Stick with the team.

Can we live in agreement? Can we be so single-focused on Jesus that people will look at the church and think, “That’s amazing!”? Yes, we can!

We’re not designed to pull ourselves up by our own bootstraps when troubles come, but rather to lock arms with like-minded believers (1:27).

2. Don’t let enemies intimidate you.
Place your confidence in Christ.

We reflect glory to God when we’re not intimidated by our problems (1:28). Not because we have all the solutions, but because the Lord has and will continue to rescue us. Not from troubles. But through troubles.

God was faithful to Paul in his conflicts. He’ll be faithful to us in ours.

3. Don’t despise suffering.
Consider it a blessing.

This one is hard. But when Paul said that sufferings had “been granted to you,” he used the Greek word charizomai, which literally means “to grant as a favor, gratuitously, in kindness” (1:29).

Paul counted it a privilege to suffer for Christ (3:8), not a curse to shrink back from. The value of knowing Christ is worth it all. We see that throughout Philippians.

So let’s ask the Lord—no, plead with the Lord—to give us more unity, courage, and gratitude so the world will look at us and say, “Wow, God!”

It’s God’s gospel-purpose for us.

How do you overcome fears and sufferings? What truths did you learn in Philippians 1:27-30 about God? About Paul? About your identity in Christ?

Please share what the Lord is revealing to you. It’s one way we can stand side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27).