Two last questions

Hey Everyone,
Thanks so much for participating in this blog! We tried this three years ago and had 1 person post something and 4 people view it in total. . . on this blog we had 1800 page views in the month, so that's great and we hope it was helpful for you.

Two last questions:
1) What was your favourite verse in the book?
2) What are you planning on reading next?

Thanks friends  ....

Rob

Content? Phil 4:12

Renée here. Enjoy the snow day. I enjoy how it slows everyone down.

I’ve been marinating in this verse from Philippians 4:12 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Here’s some of the directions my thoughts have gone on this:

What a beautiful way to live – contentment. And this contentment is clearly not circumstantial. How do I tend to base my contentment on circumstantial things? How do I gage how I’m doing and even others are doing? So often it’s easy to base our contentment on circumstances – having stuff, things going smoothly, the kids/youth behaving, having money in the bank, people liking us... 

What’s Paul’s secret?

It’s clearly none of these things.

I think verse 13 is a clue – he knew no matter the circumstances his strength came from God.

The rest of Paul’s writings are also a clue. He so clear knew his security was in Christ. His contentment came from knowing who He was in Christ – it didn’t matter what other people thought, it didn’t matter his circumstances – in Christ He knew who He was, He had everything He’d ever need, He was loved and secure forever.

OK – so if we really want deep down contentment it comes from building this kind of knowledge and intimacy in our relationship with Christ.

Where do I look for contentment?

What false pursuits of contentment do I need to give up?

How can I take steps to pursue true, deep contentment in Christ?

I’d really appreciate hearing others insights on this verse and the idea of contentment.

Encouragement for the Stressed Out - Philippians 4:6-7

Rob here ...
Everyone responds to stress differently.  Some people like to talk about it, share the joy ;), others turn inward and become quiet.  When I get stressed I fidget, and start to drive everyone around me crazy.  I get antsy and feel a real sense of restlessness.

That's why Philippians 4:6-7 are so comforting and challenging!
First, Paul says "Don't be anxious about anything..." Seriously!?  This initially strikes me as really unhelpful.   I like how The Message translates it "Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers."  These prayers can be petitions, or an invitation to beg and call on God for the very thing we are struggling over.  This is how Jesus himself invited us to pray.  


Finally, I love how Paul ends this passage. The Message translates it this way "Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."


So, if I am hearing Paul correctly he is saying:
1) Don't let your first response to a situation be anxiety
2) Bundle everything you are feeling and petition (beg, pester, call out to) God 
3) God's peace, which will not make sense given your circumstances, will displace your worry 


I am guessing that Paul had used this little formula many times in his own life. When he was getting beaten.  When he was shipwrecked.  And now, in prison, he once again was putting into practise this ancient discipline.  


Does this strike you as trite or "Sunday School answer-ish"?
Have you ever experienced God's peace displacing your worry?
What struck you about these verses?

Pure Gift - Philippians 3:9

Renée’s turn. I’ve been chewing on this verse.

v 9 “and be found in him (Christ), 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 and is by faith.”

My right-standing before God, my value as a human being, my righteousness, doesn’t come from anything in me. It doesn’t come from doing things right, from obeying, from being good or from being better than others at something. Righteousness is a gift from You, God. Pure gift. Wow! Let that sink in again.

I receive this gift and live in the reality that I don’t have to earn anything or prove anything to You. This frees me from trying to earn the approval of others or to make a name for myself. I already have Your approval, a name with You and everything You have is mine. I am Yours. You love me and I am Yours. I am in relationship with You not because of anything I do, but because of Your love, Your gift of Jesus that I have put my faith in. In You I am chosen, secure and highly favoured.

How do I still try to earn Your (God’s) love?

What’s the difference between enjoying Your love & joyfully living out a relationship with You vs. earning Your love & obeying out of duty? Which am I falling into?

How do I still get caught in trying to prove my own righteousness?

How do I expect others to prove their righteousness to me? How can I free them?

How would grasping my identity in Christ more solve other issues?

Read on, in verses 10 and 11, which express the desire to know Christ more and acknowledges the wonder and mystery in that relationship. Good gifts always come with wonder & mystery!

Do you have identity issues too?

Do you ever try to earn love? (or the opposite, take love for granted?)

How do you respond to Philippians 3?

Philippians 3:12

Rob here.  Would love to hear what things stand out to you in chapter 3.  I'm still thinking about verse 3:7-8 where Paul is pretty amped up about this life transforming discovery that there is nothing better than knowing Christ.  In fact, he swears in verse 8 to make his point. The NIV translates the Greek swear word rubbish but today we would translate it"BS"...without the abbreviation...For the record, when preachers cuss, its because their trying to make an important point ;)

I guess I am challenged because Paul already knew a fair bit of Christ: he had personal encounters, he had been given special spiritual gifts: ability to speak in tongues, apostleship or a special leadership gift to start new churches; and I would say he had the gift of wisdom, as he wrote a large portion of the New Testament... and yet, he knew there was so much more to know, learn and experience...and he didn't want to miss any of it.

When I read these verses I heard one giant invitation deeper into Christ!  This excites me, entices me and is actually quite humbling that this offer stands before me...

What strikes you about these verses?  What's response to this invitation?

Workout – Philippians 2:12-30

Renée again. There is lots of great stuff in this section, it’d be great to see what stood out to you. I’m just going to look at one sentence today.

Phil. 2:12b-13 “...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Lord, if I’m honest, I don’t like the sounds of this. I want the Christian life to be easy, none of this fear and trembling stuff. I think it’s easy for me to fall into thinking (without even realizing it sometimes) if I follow You and do all the right things, everything should go well, everything should fall into place and life should be full of blessing. Yet life with You isn’t an equation like that, it’s an on-going relationship living in the reality of a fallen, messed up world. I can follow You, do everything “right” and things can still fall flat on their face. Help me follow You regardless, entrusting the outcomes to You. Lord, I want to follow You and live for You even when it isn’t easy, even if my rights get trampled on and things don’t go how I think they should.

That word “continue” gets me. That means this never ends. It’s an everyday thing. Working out my salvation each day, choosing to live for You each day and figuring out what it means to represent You and the Gospel each day can be difficult and even scary at times. It sure would have been scary for Paul and the Philippians. Often I know the right thing to do or can sense Your nudging to say something or do something, but I need Your courage to act, even through my fear and trembling. I remember the first time I preached in front of people, and how much fear and trembling accompanied me in those moments! Yet, I pushed through even while feeling the fear, trusting You were with me. Thanks for verse 13 which reminds me You are working in me to do the right thing and act in-line with You even when I’m full of fear. Help me remember this and do the right thing for You, even when I feel fear.

I think of particular times and situations where I need Your courage to act, to live out my salvation even with fear and trembling:

- when I can see someone who needs either a word of encouragement or a word of challenge from You, help me have the courage to speak up.

-help me to have the courage with those who are far from You, to be able to show them and tell them of Your great love.

-when my opinion goes against others opinion, help me know when to speak up and have courage to speak up.

-when I experience failure (fall on my face) help me have the courage to still live out my salvation and glorify You. To accept responsibility where I need to and trust Your grace to cover me and lift me up.

-when I’m tempted to take the easy-way-out, to blame someone else for my mistake or avoid the difficult conversation, help me live out Your gospel in that moment and do the right thing instead of the easy thing.

-when the spotlight is on me and I’d rather hide than shine for You give me courage

-preaching!

Where do you need courage to live for God and His ways, even when fear & trembling accompany you?

How do you Think of yourselves-Philippians 2:5-11

Rob here, I think it would be easier if I just quoted directly from my journal today:
"Lord, can hardly believe its a new year, feeling the pressure to get some resolutions in place.  Likely the biggest is to simplify my life, still feel like too many days are out of control.  If I'm honest today, I'm wasn't looking forward to praying this passage (Philippians 2:5-11) as it's so familiar and I've thought about it so many times, and yet its this first verse that has taken me by surprise, so thank you for this freshness; 'Think of yourselves the way Christ thought of himself' (MSG).  As I think about how this applies to me, a couple of things come to mind:


First, Christ knew he was deeply and unconditionally loved by His Father.  This love was not performance based, but relationship based.  This is how Jesus thought about himself.  I need to make sure I give this same gift to the people around me today.


Second, that Christ was launched into his ministry with the most important thing already in place, this unconditional love. I tried to think of what my life would be like if I lived this way, knowing I already possessed the most important thing in life.  Maybe this would help me have clarity on how to simplify.  I suddenly had this image of Jesus, from an emotional angle, engaging people with confidence, joy and certainty because he knew he had the Father's love & acceptance already in the bag."

Lord, how would I parent if I knew this?  How would I treat Jill if I knew this?  How would I lead differently if I knew this?"

Philippians 2:1-11

Renée here.  Here’s just a few things that God seemed to be highlighting today. Today seemed to bring up lots of questions.  (Oh yes, a reminder I address God personally in these devo. times as Lord, God, You, Your...)

From verse 1: Look at what we get as Christians. Thanks God! Wow God!

·         united with Christ

·         comfort from Your love

·         fellowship with Your very Spirit

·         tenderness

·         compassion

Lord, thank You for these things. It’s amazing I can have them. Sometimes it’s hard to receive them or see them. Help me be able to carry this powerful reality with me each day.

You show me tenderness and compassion through the kindness of others. Keep my eyes open to it today.

Bloggers – How do you see God giving you the above things (perhaps through others)?

From verse 2 “being like-minded” & verse 5 “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”

What’s it mean to be like-minded with Christ?

Phew – what a high calling – that even in mind and attitude I’d be like You. I know the power for this comes from above, from You. Continue to make me more like You, even in my mind and attitude.

How do I still see people through the wrong lenses instead of with Your (God’s) eyes?

How do I still put myself ahead of others?

How do I still put my own interests, own agenda ahead of others?

What’s it look like to put others and Your agenda first?

How can I better use all You’ve given me to serve others and Your Kingdom?

I read a quote that was a good humility check the other day: Would I be praying this intensely for today’s service (or project at work) if someone else, not me, was teaching/leading it?

Today Lord, help me be like-minded with Christ in the people I encounter and treat them as You would treat them. Help me look to others interests and ideas first, especially in relationships and especially in those I work with.

Bloggers – How come humility seems so counter-cultural and hard at times? 

Does Philippians 2 help us understand the difference between humility and being a doormat?

Philippians 1:12-21

Rob here again...these verses are simply amazing, and I'm not sure I had any "insights" into the passage, instead I felt like I just needed to sit and stew in these words for a bit.

There were two lines in particular that really were helpful to me:
"some preach Christ out of envy & rivalry, but others out of good will" vs15
I guess as a "preacher" this of course challenges my motives.  What motivates me to do well? What audience am I living for? Who’s approval am I seeking?  Why do certain people's compliments mean more than others?  Why do certain people's criticisms sting more than others?  Am I alone in this?
This has application beyond "public preaching" obviously, and is likely one of those things I will always need to work on. . . But Paul helps me see the goal more clearly, that I would only be concerned with full-out obedience to Him.

"Sufficient courage" vs 20
We have been reading a few nights a week at supper with the kids and last night we talked about 1:10, being able to make wise choices.  Jill and I were trying to convince the kids that likely 90% of the choices they face will be easy to make but hard to follow thru on.   I've found it true in my own life, whether its in my marriage, or taking time to parent, or to lead the church well, its not that I don't know what I'm supposed to do, its whether I have the courage to press on when it gets hard.  So, I will be adding this to my prayer life. . . how about you?

Do you have "audience issues" like me? Where you forget who you are trying to impress most?
Are you facing something that requires courage?
Thanks for listening in...
Rob

How do you read????

Tim raised the question below and I would like to hear people chime in: when you are reading Philippians are you reading an actually book Bible, on your smart phone, tablet, e-Reader (Kindle/Kobo), papyrus scroll from the 3rd Century, from a website (like Bible Gateway) ... or as some have done - from MEMORY!!

Also, morning, afternoon, evening, late at night? When do you read?

There is no right or wrong answer with either of these questions, just curious to know...

Thanks,
Rob

Moving Towards Completion

Renée here. I’ll post things here almost exactly as it appears in my journal – for me that usual means some preamble with God where I give over some things that are on my mind before I read Scripture. You’ll also notice it means I tend to record things in bullet points (unless I’m writing out a prayer) and I address God directly (You, Lord, God etc.). It’s my intimate conversations with Him. Here goes...

Tues. Jan. 10/12

·         That situation still on my mind from yesterday (Basically a situation where I felt bad I left a couple people out and didn’t respond how I should have.) – cover it in Your grace.

·         Pray for the Hope Mission and Transformers starting up again today

Phil. 1:1-11

·         v 3 to 5 –I’m so thankful for the partners I have in the Gospel –those who led me to Christ, disciple me, partner with me now.

·         v 6 “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus”

o   this verse gives me such hope You’re still working in me and not going to stop

o   I know You began a good work in me, You saved me, You won’t give up on me

o   I’m thankful this process is dependent on You. YOU carry it to completion. I know I have responsibility here, but it’s freeing to know You’re in charge of it.

o   Lord, in some ways right now I feel stalled in maturing closer to You and being more like You. I’m not sure why this is. Show me the next step towards taking it to completion. Show me where I’m still immature.

§  I notice my nerves still get me in some situations –How’s that connected to this? What’s that about? Is my confidence really in You? Continue Your work in me.

o   This verse also gives me confidence You will continue Your work in the seeds I’ve seen planted – particularly in the youth and in adults taking steps towards baptism. Pray for ________...complete Your work in them.

o   The work at Main Street and Saint John belongs to You Lord, take it to completion

o   Phrase to remember “God will complete it.”

·         v 9 “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight”

o   This is not just sentimental love, but love with muscle on it

o   give this kind of love, in my relationship with You

What conversations with God or others did these verses stir in you?

What stood out to you in Philippians 1:1-11?

Is this blog encouraging your own time with God?

Philippians 1:1-11

Rob here, and this morning I am reading Philippians 1:1-11.  It's dark but supposed to be sunny today. (In my journal I always record the date and also the weather, a little habit I learned from my grandma who used to write me letters and always included the date & what its as doing outside at the top). 

Here are the verses that stood out to me and some of the questions they forced me to ask... 

Carry it on to completion, 1:6

I asked myself some questions: What needs "completing" in me?  What parts of my life do I wish were more “finished”?  What behaviours of mine create havoc in my life, & a few came to mind: pride & insecurities.  As I spent a few minutes praying about each of these, it occurred to me they are connected.  Also, last evening I was really grumpy with kids while they were doing dishes, no, seriously grumpy.  So I prayed and asked God to help me see what was I REALLY upset about...no clear answer.

Keep on growing in knowledge and understanding, 1:9

I think this verse is really talking about maturing spiritually. As I reflected on this, I made a short list of some ways, through my life, that I have learned, grown, and matured.  I realized I have always learned the most from conversing/watching others: So I spent some time praying & asking God to remind me of people in my life whom I should be spending more time with.  Then I made a short list of areas where I feel that my faith is weak:  I have always wanted a stronger prayer life &  I would like to be more aware and obedient to the Holy Spirit.

Be filled with the fruit of righteousness 1:11

I always read "right standing with God" when I see the word "righteousness." So, then I asked myself,  What IS the fruit of having a right standing with God?  (this question required more coffee)...As I thought about it I realized, that righteousness means  that I don't need to prove myself to God.  This truth goes a long way in helping me deal with my pride & insecurities.  I think these two struggles make me performance driven - do more & do it well!! Which is probably why I was cranky with my kids, cause I had other things I wanted or felt I needed to be doing...oy.

Anyway, this time was helpful to me this morning.  I am not convinced that some of these struggles of mine will ever go away, but rather the secret might be learning to be aware of them and deal with them in a Christlike way as he enables me. 

How did these verses speak to you?  

Squirrels

My method is very similar to Rob’s.  For me it works best if I do this time first thing in the morning and I have to make sure to not turn on or check any of my electronics before this or I’m gone - down a technology, social networking rabbit trail. For this reason I use an old fashioned paper Bible for my personal devo time. 

For me, when I get to the part where I have the word/phrase/verse(s) that stands out to me, I’ll jot  down what comes to mind as I reflect on them. It can be questions, ponderings, situations (mine or others), praise or prayers. Sometimes I fill one line, sometimes a whole page. When I’m wrapping up for the morning, I try to sum up the message from this time and carry it with me through the day.  I usually try to sum it up in a word or two– something like “God’s got it”, “forgive”, “never give up”.

This time of my day has really become my favourite time of the day – the world is still quiet, the electronics aren’t buzzing, the coffee is hot, the day still has all its sparkle of potential and so far I haven’t messed up things too bad! Yet still, things often distract me during this time, not kids, but usually my distractions are things in my head – like things to do later in the day, a project idea, life-reflections, the push to get on with the day... I’d love to hear how other folks deal with such distractions. Usually I do one of three things with these squirrels: (1) write it on a post-it note for later, (2) turn it into a prayer and have a conversation with God about it or (3) become completely distracted by it and then realize it’s time to go for the day!

Looking forward to digging into Philippians.

~Renée

Right Place, Right Time, Discipline

Ok, here we go!  Hope this is helpful.  If so, chime in, respond, let us know.  I'm simply going to start by telling you what a "morning devotions" routine looks like for me. 

There's no right way or right time, but I think everyone has to find a time and a place that works for them. Everyone is different, so find a time & place & stick with it. 

For me, studying scripture is all about the setting & time.  Early morning, fireplace on, fresh pot of great coffee. Quiet. Journal. Study Bible. Pen (see pic below).  While I wait for the coffee to finish perking, I say a simple prayer asking God to clear my mind, open my mind, speak, yell, convict, etc...

I like to study books of the Bible, simply my preference.  I like finding themes, key words that the writers keeps using, and trying to put myself in the story: who is writing, what's their story, what are they passionate about, what's the message?   After I've read the passage, usually no more than 20 verses/day, I will read it again, and maybe again (depending on how hard it is) which takes usually about 5 minutes total.

Then I simply open my journal and try to find 3 or 4 words or phrases that stood out to me.  I write them down in the page and pray "God, why did these verses/words, stand out to me?"  By this time I have consumed a hefty cup of coffee, and need to fill up a second :).  

Now, there are mornings I'm too tired.  Nothing seems to come.  God seems to have laryngitis.  There are mornings I am tempted to write sermons instead and avoid letting God speak to MY heart. Not good.  So, it takes some discipline.  But then there are mornings when it seems like God is speaking to me from the very words on the page, and it couldn't be more rewarding.  There are other days I read a verse and its nice & good but has not resonance with me ... until the end of the day, and the Holy Spirit brings it back to me and in light of the day, the verse makes sense.  Goosebumps.  

So, my blog will simply be me sharing some of the 3 or 4 words/phrases and some of my personal thoughts.  Some days that I will have some actual God-directed thoughts & reflections that have stirred my heart.  Other days it will mean describing which of my children interrupt my study, or a description of the coffee because its just one of those mornings...either way, I hope it helps you develop your own time and space for the Lord to speak to you.

Rob

Getting Started

Hey!
Pastor Renee & I (Pastor Rob) are going to be blogging some of their reflections as we do our own study of the book of Philippians during our SHINE series.

We have two hopes for you.  First, that you will see how we study scripture and, very practically, how to study your own Bible.  Second, that it will motivate you to go for it!  Take a courageous step forward and launch into this book expecting God to speak to you, and that you would develop this habit.  Daily.  And in doing so Christ would Shine through you!

So, join us in reading a book by a guy named Paul who was given a 2nd chance. Paul is writing from prison to a small group of people in Philippi who believed in him. He was so proud of their lives & he wrote telling them not to give up, that God was not finished with them. God was so proud of them all, he preserved this book for you!  Shine.