Philippians Conclusion

Well, we’ve finished studying the book of Philippians. As a conclusion to our study, try reading through the entire book in one sitting.

Remember that the book of Philippians is really a letter that Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi – people like Lydia and the jailer (see Acts 16). The Philippians were generous in their support to Paul, and looked to him for guidance and teaching, since he had probably led many of them to Christ.

Go ahead and read through the book of Philippians.

What have we learned?
Look over any notes you made as you read through the book. What stands out to you? What have you learned by reading this letter?

Every week, one of our questions has been, “What can we learn about God from this passage?” Look over your list. What did you write down?

Are there any verses from this book that you want to memorize? Spend a little bit of time every day reviewing those verses and committing them to memory.

How have you changed since the beginning of our study? Have you cut back on the complaining? Do you find yourself asking others about their day? Have you chosen to spend time in prayer every day? Are you more generous with your time and resources?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit... (Philippians 4:23)

Philippians 4:10-23

Read through Philippians 4:10-23. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Here we see that the Philippians supported Paul financially and gave him supplies. What can we learn from them?

• Remember that the Philippians were generally poor people. And yet they collected money and supplies to send to Paul.
• The Philippians gave to Paul more than once. They had sent him a gift when he was in Thessalonica, too.
• After a letter full of “you need to ___” statements, Paul takes a moment to affirm what they are already doing well, and encourages them to continue serving in this way.

Observation #2: Paul mentions a “sweet-smelling sacrifice.” What’s he talking about?

• In the Old Testament, people used to offer animal sacrifices to God, and the smell of that offering was pleasing to God.
• Paul calls the gifts of the Philippians a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” to let them know that their gifts were pleasing to God. They were behaving in a way that glorified Him.
• Even though we don’t offer animal sacrifices today, we can still offer our actions as an act of worship to God.

Observation #3: At the end of this letter, Paul refers to the Christians who work in Caesar’s palace. What does that tell us?

• Paul has been able to connect with and encourage the Christians at Rome, especially those who work in the palace – those who might be risking their lives to work for Caesar.
• It’s possible (pretty likely) that Paul had influenced some of the people in the palace to believe in Christ and decide to follow Him. Perhaps Paul told them about the Philippians when he received their gifts, and those stories encouraged the new believers.
• Even though the believers in Rome were separated from the believers in Philippi, they were still united together through their decision to follow Christ, just like we are united to believers in other countries.

Read through Philippians 4:10-23 again.

Questions:

1. Paul had learned to be content in every situation. What was his secret?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. What kinds of situations had Paul been in? Do you think it was always easy for him to be content?
3. What kind of “sacrifices” have you offered to God recently? Are they pleasing to Him
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Read through the book of Acts to find out what it was like to be an early follower of Christ – some of the struggles they faced, how their faith influenced their decisions, what they talked about, etc.

Philippians 4:2-9

Read through Philippians 4:2-9. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: There are two women mentioned here – Euodia and Syntyche. Who are they?

• All we know about these two women were that they were part of the Church at Philippi and that they were arguing with each other.
• Here, Paul names a specific instance of how disagreement and arguing show up in the Philippian church, and he urges them to work things out (“live in unity”).

Observation #2: Paul addresses our prayer lives.

• The word worry means “to be pulled in different directions.” It also gives us the idea of “being strangled.”
• Instead of worrying about something, Paul encourages the Philippians (and us!) to pray about it instead. This passage implies three kinds of prayer: (1) general praying – adoring and worshiping God, (2) supplication – sharing our needs with God, and (3) appreciation – giving thanks to God.
• If we “do this”, we are promised God’s peace, “which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”

Observation #3: Paul addresses our thought lives.

• What goes on in our minds influences how we feel and how we act. For example, if I think that my teacher is being unfair to me, I’m going to resent her and be rude to her. Everything she does will be tainted by my belief that she is being unfair, even if she isn’t.
• Paul knows the power of our thoughts. That’s why he encourages the Philippians to “fix their thoughts” on true and honorable things, things that are pure and right.
• By thinking about these things, the behavior of the Philippians would better reflect that of a “citizen of heaven.”

Read through Philippians 4:2-9 again.

Questions:

1. How do you think Euodia and Syntyche felt when they were “called out” and mentioned by name in Paul’s letter?
2. Are you a part of any argument or disagreement that is causing division?
3. How does worry affect you? Do you lose sleep? have an upset stomach? get really quiet?
4. How are you behaving today? What thoughts are driving that behavior?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: This week, try to pray using Philippians 4:6 as a guide – adoration/worship, supplication, appreciation. If you don’t know what to ask for, return to the prayer of Philippians 1:9-11 and ask for love, knowledge, wisdom, character, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Read through Philippians 3:12-4:1. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul writes about “forgetting the past.” What does he mean?

• To us, forgetting means that we don’t remember something; we forget to feed the dog, or we forget to grab our homework on the way to school.
• Paul uses forgetting in the sense that he refuses to let the past dictate his behavior. Have you ever done something you’ve regretted? Paul shows us that what is in the past, is in the past. Instead of focusing on everything we’ve done wrong and feeling bad about it, Paul encourages us to look forward to our future with Christ.

Observation #2: It sounds like Paul is saying that we must earn our salvation, by “working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.” What’s going on?

• This letter to the Philippians is all about living as a citizen of heaven. Paul made it clear in the last portion of the letter that we are not saved by our efforts, but only by the grace of God.
• Paul is saying, however, that our behaviors need to change once we accept Christ. Remember that the Philippians had been arguing with each other and were being selfish and proud. Instead, they needed to live in unity, be humble, and serve each other.

Observation #3: Paul pleads with the Philippians to “stay true to the Lord.” Why?

• Because “there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ” (v. 18).
• Because the Judaizers were trying to convince the Philippians to earn their salvation instead of relying on Christ.
• It’s tough to follow Christ when people are trying to steer you down the wrong path. So Paul writes to his friends – to Lydia, to the jailer – and encourages them to stay focused on Christ. As the Message puts it, “Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.”

Read through Philippians 3:12-4:1 again.

Questions:

1. Read Acts 22:3-21, where Paul shares his story with a crowd of people in Jerusalem. What was Paul’s past? What might he have been trying to forget?
2. Why is our behavior so important?
3. Who is trying to steer you down the wrong path? Where have you been “wavering”?
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Memorize Proverbs 4:25-27 this week. But don’t just memorize it; think about what it says. You can also check out Hebrews 12:12-13; Proverbs 2:20; and Proverbs 3:5-6.

Philippians 3:1-11

Read through Philippians 3:1-11. To help you keep the “big picture” of Philippians in mind, go ahead and outline what we’ve studied so far.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: It seems as if Paul is getting sidetracked… What does any of this have to do with what he has been writing about?

• Remember the ways to live as a citizen of heaven? First on the list was “to live in unity.”
• We’ve already mentioned that some of the believers in the Philippian church were arguing and fighting among themselves. But there were also men who pretended to be Christ-followers (they were called Judaizers). Their teachings didn’t line up with what Paul had taught.
• Paul warns them to stay on guard against these false teachings so that they won’t split the group. He wants them to remain faithful to the truth.

Observation #2: Paul mentions having “confidence in the flesh”. What does he mean?

• Basically, the Judaizers were trying to convince the Philippian believers that they were saved by their good works, that they had to earn their salvation.
• Paul reminds the Philippians of the truth: “No… it’s not through our effort that we are saved. It’s only by God’s grace that we are saved.”
• Paul uses his own life as an example in order to show the Philippians that the Judaizers were wrong. In essence, he says, “If anyone can get to heaven based on their good works and on their character, it’s me.” Then he says, “But none of that matters. Without Christ, I am nothing.”

Observation #3: Paul writes, “I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ.” What is he saying?

• The word for “garbage” (or “rubbish” as some translations put it) is actually the word for “dung.” Imagine changing a nasty diaper, or cleaning up after your dog or horse. It can get pretty gross…
• Paul is saying that everything else is dung compared to knowing Christ. “It doesn’t matter what I’ve done, what I’ve accomplished. Knowing Christ far outweighs the best this world has to offer.”

In this section, Paul encourages the Philippians to live with unity, but he also reminds them of the basic truth of the Gospel: We are saved by grace through faith. In other words, we cannot earn our way into heaven.

Read through Philippians 3:1-11 again.

Questions:

1. How do we try to earn our way into heaven? (In other words, what does a “good Christian” look like?)
2. Read James 2:14-26 and compare it to Romans 4:5. Is James contradicting what Paul taught? What is James really saying?
3. In your own words, what does it mean to “live as a citizen of heaven”?
4. What does it mean to “know Christ”? (See Philippians 3:9-11.)
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Meet with someone you trust (a friend, parent, or mentor) and talk about Question #2 above.

Philippians 2:19-30

Read through Philippians 2:19-30. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

Review: These past few weeks, we’ve been learning about how to “live as a citizen of heaven.” Paul mentions several ways to do that:

1. live in unity – keep Christ at the center of your relationships, work together, love each other
2. live with humility – be interested in what others are doing, be selfless
3. let your life shine before men – have good character, serve others, don’t complain, share the Gospel

A Closer Look: In this section of the letter, Paul mentions two men who are great examples for the Philippians to model their lives after. These two men were individuals that the Philippians knew personally.

Example #1: Timothy (“Tim”)

• Relationship to Paul – Tim was like a son to Paul. He traveled with Paul to several cities to share the Good News about Christ and was mentored by Paul.
• Relationship to the Philippians – Tim joined Paul on his trip right before Paul and Silas went to the city of Philippi. That means that he probably stayed with Lydia (the business-woman) and talked with many of the believers there.
• “Genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ” – Tim loved the believers at Philippi and kept Christ at the center of his relationship with them. He stood out from the others, who only cared about themselves.
• “Has served with me in preaching the Good News” – Tim lived a life of service by assisting Paul in his missionary trips. He wasn’t afraid to share the Good News with others.

Example #2: Epaphroditus (“Big E”)

• Relationship to Paul – Big E was the messenger from Philippi who brought Paul the supplies and gifts. He stayed in the city for awhile before returning to Philippi, probably updating Paul on all the news at Philippi and listening to Paul preach.
• Relationship to the Philippians – Big E was one of the believers at Philippi, and evidently he was trusted enough to serve as a messenger for the whole group.
• “He is a true brother, a faithful worker, and a courageous soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need.” – Big E served faithfully and selflessly. Since Paul refers to him as a “true brother”, it was probably easy to tell that he was committed to Christ.
• “He risked his life for the work of Christ” – It seems Big E didn’t stop at anything to share the Good News with others, whether that was verbally sharing the Gospel or simply serving without complaining and working hard with others.

Read through Philippians 2:19-30 again.

Questions:

1. Read Galatians 5:19-23. How does this fit in with what we’ve read in Philippians?
2. Why is it important for us to be selfless in our relationships with others?
3. How do you think Tim felt about being able to return to the Philippians soon after Big E went back? How do you think the Philippians responded to having Tim back in the city?
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Who has been a mentor or role model for you? Write them a note this week, thanking them for investing in you. Share with them how they have influenced you or the lessons they have taught you. And take a moment to think about someone that you can be a role model to… perhaps a child at church or a younger brother or sister.

Philippians 2:12-18

Read through Philippians 2:12-18. Remember that Paul is encouraging the Christians at Philippi to live as “citizens of heaven.” He has already told them (1) to live in unity with each other and (2) to live with humility. This section contains a third way: to “let your lives shine before men.” As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul tells the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” What does that mean?

• Paul is telling them – in a different way – that they need to act like “citizens of heaven.” Remember that the Philippians seem to have problems with pride, selfishness, and arguing. They needed to follow Christ’s example and be humble and selfless instead.
• “Fear” refers to a “deep reverence.” Do you have any people in your life that you really respect and look up to? We don’t want to let them down; instead we want to do our best for them. In the same way, we should try to do our best for God.
• Note that Paul had already prayed for them to “be filled with the fruit of your salvation” – i.e., to live like “citizens of heaven.” See Philippians 1:11.

Observation #2: What does it mean to “let your lives shine brightly” in everyday life?

• DO – have good character (be “blameless”), be pure, be willing to serve
• DON’T – complain, argue, be selfish, have a bad attitude
• In order for the Philippian believers to stand out from the non-believers, they needed to behave differently. So Paul mentions some specific areas for them to work on.
• Note that Paul had already prayed for them to be “blameless” and “pure.” See Philippians 1:10.

Observation #3: Paul tells them to “hold tight to the word of life.” What does he mean?

• The “word of life” refers to the Gospel. When Paul visited Philippi, he shared the Gospel with them so that they would follow Christ.
• “Hold tight” could also mean “hold forth” – as if you were offering someone a gift. Paul is encouraging the Philippians to continue sharing the Gospel with others in their community, not only by telling them the Good News about Christ but also by “letting their lives shine.”

Read through Philippians 2:1-18.

Questions:

1. We are learning more and more about the believers at Philippi. How would you describe them, now that we have read Acts 16 and Philippians 1:1-2:18?
2. Paul’s prayer (in Philippians 1:20) is that he will be “bold” for Christ. In other words, he wanted to continue sharing the Gospel with others, even though he had been arrested for it. Does that affect the way you read this passage?
3. The Message translation of Philippians 2:15 reads, “Provide people a glimpse of good living and of the living God.” How can you give people a “glimpse of God” this week?
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenges:
#1 – Read Exodus 15:22-17:7; Exodus 32:1-35; and 1 Corinthians 10:1-11. These describe times when the Israelites complained and grumbled, as well as how God responded to their behavior.

#2 – Read Matthew 5:1-7:29. Jesus describes in more detail what it means to “live as a citizen of heaven.”

* “Salvation” is simply a big word that means “delivered” or “saved.” In this case, it means saved from sin. People who trust in Christ are saved at the moment of their confession of faith (Romans 10:8-10) and are no longer slaves to sin. They can enjoy a personal and intimate relationship with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit. (Check out John 8:31-36 and Romans 6:6-23.)

Philippians 2:1-11

Read through Philippians 2:1-11. Remember that Paul had just encouraged the Christians at Philippi to live as “citizens of heaven.” In this section, he mentions two ways to do that: (1) to live in unity with each other and (2) to live with humility. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul asks a lot of questions in verse 1. What’s that all about?

• Paul isn’t really asking questions. He’s using a writing technique that reminds the Philippians of certain truths. (Kind of like how your mom might ask you, “Is it your day to take out the trash?” She is kindly reminding you that you haven’t taken the trash out yet, and that you’d better do it soon!)
• We learn from other passages in this book/letter that there are arguments and debates in the church, which could easily lead to a division or split (Philippians 3:2-3; 4:2).
• Paul is pointing out that their behavior isn’t what it should be as a “citizen of heaven.” There was nothing in their conduct that set them apart from the unbelievers.

Observation #2: So what do unity and humility look like in everyday life?

• DO – keep Christ at the center of your relationship, love each other, work together, think of others as better than yourself, be interested in others and what they are doing
• DON’T – be selfish, live to make a good impression on others, think only about your own life
• Christ is our ultimate example of what it means to live with humility.

The Bigger Picture:
Reread Philippians 1:1-2:11. The first chapter in Philippians is about putting Christ first. The second chapter is about putting others next. This goes right along with the two Greatest Commandments: love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-40).

Questions:

1. How do you think the Philippians responded when they read this part of the letter?
2. Read John 17:21. Why is unity so important? (Hint: “And the world will _____.”)
3. How can you “take an interest in others” this week?
4. Remember that Paul is chained to a guard as he writes this letter. Why is he in chains? Does that affect how you read his words?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Read through Philippians 2:5-8 every day this week. “Chew” on those words. Think about what it meant for Christ to humble Himself. Consider how He lived – how He washed His disciple’s feet, how He gave up His own life on the cross, how He spent hours talking with other people, how He treated other people… How can we follow His example?

Philippians 1:20-30

Read through Philippians 1:20-30. Keep in mind some of the people he’s writing to: Lydia (a business woman), the jailer and his family (see Acts 16). As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul’s personal prayer is that he will continue to be bold for Christ. What does he mean?

• The word “boldness” refers to the ability to speak freely.
• For years, Paul had traveled to various cities and countries in order to share the news of Christ with the people there. But now he is on trial because of his faith. Even though “speaking freely” might lead to his death, Paul still wants to share the Good News through his words and through his actions.

Observation #2: Paul encourages the Philippian believers to “live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven.” What does this look like?

• Their lives were to reflect God’s standards instead of the standards of their community. As Christ-followers, they were expected to obey God’s Word.
• Philippians 2:1-18 actually gives us a glimpse of what God expects of His people: to live in unity with other believers, to live with humility, and to “let their lights shine” as a witness to the unbelievers. We’ll look at these more in depth over the next two weeks.

Observation #3: Paul mentions both the privilege of trusting in Christ and the privilege of suffering for Him. What is he talking about?

• We are offered the chance to believe in Christ. It is the gift of faith. Through Christ, we are saved.
• We are also offered the chance to suffer for Christ. It is a gift of grace. Through our suffering, we can encourage others in their faith.
• The Philippian believers could be treated just as Paul was – beaten, mobbed, jailed… even killed. Just because they followed Christ. But they considered it an honor to suffer for Him.

Read through Philippians 1:20-30 again.

Questions:

1. When are you likely to shy away from sharing the Good News with others?
2. Do you know someone who is a strong believer? Think of your experiences with them. How do they act?
3. What do you think it means to live “in unity” with other believers? to live with humility?
4. Look up Matthew 5:11-12 and 2 Timothy 2:12. What do these verses tell us about suffering for Christ?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Paul’s personal prayer is that he will continue to be bold for Christ. What is the prayer of your heart?

(Feel free to comment and discuss this passage of Scripture by clicking on the “comments” link below.)

Philippians 1:12-19

Read through Philippians 1:12-19. Remember that Paul is imprisoned in Rome, not because of any crime, but because of his faith in Christ. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul is a prisoner and was constantly guarded by a soldier.

• They say that each guard was with him for six hours. That’s up to four different guards every day.
• Does it surprise you that Paul is leading the guards to Christ? Think back to Acts 16… Paul led the jailer and his entire family to Christ.

Observation #2: Paul was able to encourage the Christians in Rome.

• Paul’s example – his perseverance and joy, even while he was a prisoner – encouraged the Christians in Rome to share the Gospel.
• When Paul wrote that the Roman Christians were telling others about Christ, the phrase refers to an “everyday conversation,” not to preaching.

Observation #3: Paul wasn’t the only one preaching and teaching in Rome.

• Some people continued Paul’s work and preached the Good News in order to lead others to Christ.
• There were also some people who preached the Good News with selfish motives. Yet, even though these people had selfish motives, Paul still rejoiced at the outcome – people were coming to Christ.

Read through Philippians 1:12-19 again.

Even though Paul was illegally arrested and put in prison, even though he had been in prison for over two years, even though people in Rome were preaching the Good News with selfish motives… still Paul rejoiced. His focus was on helping people come to Christ. That’s all that mattered to him.

Questions:

1. Based on what we’ve read about Paul so far (in Acts 16 and in Philippians 1:1-19), how would you describe him? What stands out about him?
2. Imagine what it must have been like to be the guard, chained to Paul for six hours… as Paul writes letters to the believers in other cities, as he visits with people in Rome, as he prayed and sang hymns. What would be going through your mind? What questions would you want to ask him?
3. The believers in Rome shared Christ through their everyday conversations. How comfortable would you be talking about Christ to your friends? to the people you work with? to your family?
4. Verse 19 shows us that Paul counted on the prayers of the Philippian believers. Do you believe it’s important to pray for other people? How do you feel when you know that others are praying for you?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Read through Acts 21:17-28:31 to learn more about how Paul ended up as a prisoner in Rome. As you read, make a timeline – list the city where Paul is at, the major events that happened while he was there, and the people that he encounters.

(Feel free to comment and discuss this passage of Scripture by clicking on the “comments” link below.)

Big Stuf Countdown

ONLY 32 HOURS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR BIG STUF! YEAH!!!

A great time!

Thanks to everyone who came out and joined us at Winona Lake Park last night. I hope that everyone enjoyed the full contact volleyball game! We have another gathering on the calendar for July 11th. I hope that everyone will come out and check it out. Have a great day! Only 57.5 hours until we leave for Big Stuf!

Tomorrow Night @ WInona Lake Park

Hey everyone! Don't forget about tomorrow night at Winona Lake Park. Mo and I are hosting a gathering to play some games and just hang out from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. If you have any question please just let us know. Have a great day! - Evan

Philippians 1:1-11

Read through Philippians 1:1-11. Keep in mind what had happened during Paul’s trip to Philippi: he was beaten, illegally arrested, and humiliated before the people there. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul is writing to the believers of Philippi, including the “elders and deacons.” What does this tell us?

• That the believers had continued to gather together, even after Paul and Silas left Philippi
• That the “gathering” started to resemble what we know as “church” – deacons were responsible for the upkeep of the building/home where the people met for prayer
• That the church in Philippi was growing – there are at least two elders and at least two deacons (churches add staff as the congregation grows)

Observation #2: Paul refers to the Philippians as “partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.” What does this mean?

• “Partners” is a word that describes people who contribute financially
• The believers of Philippi had sent supplies to Paul when he was in prison (see Philippians 4:14-19)
• Since the church at Philippi was growing, it’s also logical to conclude that they had been sharing the Good News with others in their community

Observation #3: Paul prays for the Philippian believers. What does he pray for?

• Love – “that your love for each other will overflow more and more”
• Knowledge – “that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding”
• Wisdom – “I want you to understand what really matters”
• Character – “that you may live pure and blameless lives”
• Fruit of the Spirit – that “you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation…”

Read through Philippians 1:1-11 again.

Questions:

1. How would you describe the Philippian believers now? Do they remind you of anyone you know?
2. Have you ever had someone contribute financially to a mission trip or camp for you? How did that gift help you? (Go ahead and write them a thank-you note!)
3. Paul mentions the “fruit of salvation”, which points us to the “fruit of the Spirit.” Read through Galatians 5:22-23. Are these “fruits” showing up in your life? Read through John 15 to find out how to “bear fruit.”
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Pray through Philippians 1:9-11 every day this week. Pray for love, knowledge, wisdom, character, and the fruit of the Spirit – not only in your life, but in the lives of others. Include your family members, your friends, your small group leaders, your teachers, your youth pastors, etc.

(Feel free to comment and discuss this passage of Scripture by clicking on the “comments” link below.)

Calendar Update

Hey everyone! Here is a up on the upcoming events we have planned.

June 20th - Get together at Winona Lake Park! - We are getting everyone together on June 20th for a time of fun at the Volleyball courts at Winona Lake park from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Everyone is invited. We hope to see you there!

Big Stuf - Only 9 days just we leave for Big Stuf! I hope you are packed and ready.

July 11 - Get together at Winona Lake Park from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

July 18 - Get together at Winona Lake Park from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Camp With An Impact - Only 39 more days until CWAI begins!

Introduction to Philippians

The book of Philippians is actually a letter written by Paul to the Christians who lived in a city called Philippi, in Macedonia. We can read about Paul's visit to the Philippians in Acts 16:11-40.

Four KEY EVENTS that happened during Paul’s visit to Philippi:
1. Lydia (a businesswoman) was the first one to convert to Christianity. She provided a place for Paul and Silas to stay.
2. Paul and Silas cast a demon out of a young slave girl. Because of this, they were mobbed, beaten, and thrown into prison.
3. Paul and Silas were miraculously freed from prison, which caused the jailor and his entire family to believe in Christ.
4. City officials begged Paul and Silas to leave the city in order to avoid more trouble, so they went to the city of Thessalonica instead.

A summary of their trip to Philippi? In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes, "You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there" (1 Thessalonians 2:2). Yet it was still one of Paul's favorite cities, and he was able to stop by again a little bit later (Acts 20:6; see also 1 Corinthians 16:5-6 and 2 Corinthians 7:5).

It wasn't long before Paul was placed in a Roman prison. While he was there, the Philippians sent a man named Epaphroditus to visit him and give him some basic necessities and supplies. Even though the Philippians were generally poor, they were generous in their gifts and were actually the only church to send supplies to Paul during his imprisonment. After receiving these supplies, Paul writes a letter to send back to them.

That letter is what we know as the book of Philippians.

Go ahead and read through Acts 16:11-40 to get a grasp of Paul's trip to Philippi and his relationship to the believers there.

Questions:

1. How would you describe the Philippian believers?
2. How are you like the Philippian believers? How are you different?
3. What do you think about how Paul and Silas responded to being mobbed and attacked (i.e., singing while sitting in prison)?
4. How do you respond when others “attack” you for the things that you do?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Read through Acts 16:11-40 every day this week. Each day, try to read it from a different person’s perspective: Paul, Lydia, the slave girl/fortune-teller, the men who owned the slave girl, and the jailer. Imagine what it must have been like for each individual to go through that experience.

(Feel free to comment and discuss this passage of Scripture by clicking on the “comments” link below.)

ONE Recap

What an amazing night! I hope everyone enjoyed the music of the David Stone Band. It was really cool to see students on stage leading us in worship. I was also glad that we got to welcome the new 7th graders tonight. Hopefully they liked what they experienced and will join us again in the future. The next ONE is on July 8th from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Mark it down on your calendars. Don't forget that we are getting together on June 20th at Winona Lake Park. It will be a lot of fun. Check back for updates on the summer calendar. Have a great week! - Evo

Bible Study Series

On Monday, June 11, we will be starting a Bible Study Series on the book of Philippians. I hope that you will follow along with the series and feel free to post your thoughts and comments as we encounter God's Word together.

Why should we study the Bible? Because God is inviting you to know Him. One way we do that is through reading and studying the Bible. And, let's be honest... a lot of times it's easier to study the Bible with others than on our own.

So let's use this blog as a place to chat about what we're learning. Let's figure out what we can learn about God...

Who Are You Looking At?

These past few weeks, I have thinking about the story of David and Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17.32-51). David, a little shepherd boy who was bringing his brothers some food, volunteered to fight against a Philistine giant named Goliath. That in itself is an amazing thought, considering that everyone else in his country was trembling in fear and running away.

But there's more. As David stood against the giant, he wasn't focusing on the fact that Goliath was over nine feet tall, or that Goliath was strong enough to carry more than 125 pounds in armor alone. David was focusing on God.

• "This is the Lord's battle."
• "The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!"
• "Today the Lord will conquer you."

It is clear that David is focusing on God, trusting Him to win this battle. I only wish that I had the same focus when I fight my own battles.

Granted, I don't have any real-life Goliaths that I'm fighting; there's no giant who is threatening my life. But I do have other "Goliaths" - a conflict with a friend, problems at school. Can you think of any "Goliaths" in your life? Maybe dealing with gossip or depression, loneliness or a bully.

If you're anything like me, you get caught up in focusing on your problem instead of looking to God and His strength, power, and love.

There's quite a difference. When I stare at Goliath, I see my weakness, my inadequacy. When I stare at Goliath, I am paralyzed in fear. Just like the Israelites, I find myself hearing his challenge to fight, and I run away.

But when I look into the eyes of God, I see love and encouragement. When I look into the eyes of God, I find strength and perseverence. I am able to stand firm in His Truth. Because I know that He has already won the fight.

Who are you looking at - your "Goliath", or your God? I urge you to follow David's example and focus your eyes on God, trusting Him to bring about the victory...

ONE this Weekend!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to remind everyone that we do have ONE this weekend. It will start at 7:00 pm at the Main Campus and it will end at 8:30 pm. During the school year ONE ended at 9:00 pm so please make sure if you are getting picked up that your ride knows it is 8:30 and not 9:00. If you have any questions please let us know. Have a great day! - Evo

Countdown to Big Stuf

Only 23 more days until we leave for Big Stuf! Are you ready? You should start packing now.

Big Stuf Countdown

Only 28 more days until we leave for Big Stuf 07! I hope all of you who are signed up are getting excited.

Intervene

can't stop thinkin' about my dreams;
i'm living in a fantasy.
but i think i've messed up the theme,
'cause my whole world revolves 'round me.
instead of singing some harmony,
i'm bellowing out the melody,
stealing the light that ought to be
reflecting off the KING OF GLORY.

i'm told that i should taste and see
the goodness of our LORD, and HE
sits upon that heavenly seat,
inviting me to rest beside HIS feet.
but struck by HIS majesty,
i can't help but fall to my knees.
for HIS forgiveness i beg and plead,
asking HIM to intervene.

remove me from the glamorous scene,
break me away from my routine,
cause my selfish desires to cease
so YOU no longer have to bleed.
uproot the superficial weeds,
cure me of my foul disease,
immerse me in humility's stream
to wash away this loveless reek.

may i notice others' needs
and strive to serve them without critique.
a lifestyle of sensitivity
is what i hope to constantly seek.
i'll stop acting like i'm the queen,
and choose to crown YOU SOVEREIGN KING.
from my pride please set me free,
so i can finally sing on key.

We have Switched over!

Hey! This year has been amazing and I am so excited about the summer and what God has in store for you. I just wanted to let you know that we have officially switched over into our summer calendar for Student Ministries at WCC. We will not be having One every week. Here are a few things that we do have going on this summer.

June 8th - ONE @ The Main Campus from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
June 23rd through 29th - Big Stuf in Panama City Beach, Florida
July 8th - One @ the Main Campus from 7:00 - 8:30 pm
July 22nd through 27th - Camp With An Impact @ Camp Adventure in North Webster, IN
August 12th - One @ The Main Campus from 7:00 - 8:30 pm

There is more stuff to come so make sure you are checking your email or this blog for updates on a regular basis. If you have any questions or need help with anything please let me know. Hang tough through these last few weeks of school. It is almost over! - Evo

Others First

"I don't just do what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them..." (1 Corinthians 10.33)

To me, this perfectly illustrates one of the many ways to put others first. Many of us recoil at the thought of sacrificing our own needs and desires in order to benefit someone else. But Paul adopts this attitude of service and respect for the people that he meets.

It isn't any harder for us than it was for him. Paul interacted with people who complained, grumbled, gossiped, lied, stole, and treated him like dirt. And yet he still writes, "I do what is best for them."

I'll be honest... There are times when all I want to do is hide away in my room with a good book and read until my eyes close in sleep. But when the kids are screaming and my mom needs a hand to settle them down, I have to force myself to put my book down and go help her.

There are times when I'm in the car, riding with a friend or family member around town or on a trip to Fort Wayne. We don't listen to my radio station; we listen to theirs. It might all be "Christian" but they just struggle to understand how Hard Rock or even Pop Rock can glorify God. So we listen to Southern Gospel.

I have family members who struggle with high cholesterol and diabetes. So at family gatherings, I (sometimes) try to support them and not induldge myself in all the desserts and treats. It's only for one day, right?

What about you? Where are some areas in your life that you can set your own wants aside in order to serve and respect others?

A Modern Parable

It is Friday night. Cheers still echoed in his head from the end-of-the-season football game that his team had just won. An undefeated season was just the thing to boost this quarter-back’s ego. He struts down the street toward his house, as if nothing could bring him down now.

As he turned the corner at Main and Fifth Street a gang surrounded him. They harassed him. He was slammed into the brick wall, smacked in the face until blood splattered from his nose, and beaten until all consciousness was lost. Two of the gang members searched through his pockets and proceeded to steal the credit cards and crisp bills that had been placed neatly in his wallet that afternoon. At the sound of sirens, everyone in the group ran away, but not before a bullet had lodged itself in the football player’s shoulder.

The night passed slowly. Still the quarter-back did not awaken. The pavement beneath him was now soaked and permanently colored by his blood. Black and blue patches formed on his chilled and clammy skin. Seizures violently shook his body due to the loss of blood. Shadows left him in the dark, unseen by the few that passed in the early morning hours.

Eventually the sun lit what was once hidden and unknown. On his way to work, an officer of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes passed by the alley where the quarter-back lay. As his eyes fell upon the strange form, he turned away, disgusted by what he saw. His quickened footsteps echoed throughout the streets.

A few hours passed. It was now the noon hour, and the cars in traffic were rushing everywhere in an attempt to get to lunch. The quarter-back had come to for a bit, but was overwhelmed by the pain so much that it seemed best to remain still.

It was at this time that the student body president walked along the back roads as a shortcut to get to his favorite restaurant. He couldn’t wait to get that juicy double-burger and fresh French fries in his mouth. In fact, his mouth was already watering at the thought.

Concerned by the figure of the quarter-back, he stopped to see what had happened. His eyes met those of the athlete. Pain and desperateness radiated from the eyes of the fallen man. Noticing that the quarter-back's wallet was missing and that it was a frequent area of gangs, he bounced up and ran away, afraid to be the next victim.

The sun continued on its path and it soon grew dark. Sounds of the night life filled the air; jazz music flowed from the dance club a few blocks down, the horns loudly beeped as individuals raced on a two-lane street. The neon lights began to cast their colors on whatever fell within their reach.

By this time the quarter-back had vomited several times. His labored breathing provoked sharp pains in his chest. His hand grasped his shoulder in an effort to ease the tension of the wound.

A young man with thick glasses walked down the sidewalk this night. Normally his nasal voice and large vocabulary caused those who tried to befriend him to turn away. Dressed in jeans a bit too short and a large shirt that had holes along the seams, he, too, passed along the alley where the quarter-back lay. As he began to comprehend what he saw before him, he flung his thick books about calculus and astronomy aside and knelt beside the football player. Gently he turned the jock over and examined his wounds.

He proceeded to take off his shirt and wrap it around a deep cut in the quarter-back’s arm. Sprinting out to the busy street just a few feet away, he hailed a cab. With some help from the driver, he loaded the player in the car and took him to the emergency room, where he turned the patient’s care over to the professionals.

When he left the hospital to return to his own home, the young man made certain that the doctors would take care of the injured player. He dug a credit card out of his worn, brown wallet and placed it on the counter. “Don’t worry about the cost,” he said. “If his care takes more than that, just let me know, and I’ll come back and pay it.”

(This modern parable was based on the story of the Good Samaritan, which you can read in Luke 10:30-37. May it remind us to put others first...)

Broken

As I was sitting in the auditorium Sunday night, listening to Scott share about our brokenness... I realized that far too often, I have to ask God to break me. Because I've become numb to my sin.

There are times when I am reminded of Christ and His sacrifice for us, and I've heard the story so many times that its full impact doesn't register in my mind, in my heart. There are times when we sing about the cross and all I can think about is my schedule for the next day. Somewhere, in the midst of school and work and church and family life, my heart has grown callous to the Person I've said has changed my life.

The worst part is... sometimes I sin without even batting an eye. I hate knowing that I am still so much attached to this human nature of mine. It's at times like this that I just have to lay myself bare before the Savior and ask Him to break me...

There's a song entitled "He's Not on His Knees Yet," by CeCe Winans. The chorus goes like this:
He's not ready
He's not on his knees yet
He's too strong to be weak
Show him mercy
He's not on his knees yet
Let him break, please make him better
Put the pieces back together...

That is the prayer of my heart this week... Father, break me. Bring me to my knees in repentence and humility. Rid me of my pride and my selfishness, my so-called independence, and teach me what it means to follow after You with everything that I have.

If You Say So...

One day as Jesus was preaching on the shore of the sea of Galilee, great crowds pressed in on him to listen to the word of God. He noticed two empty boats at the water's edge, for the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon, its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish."

"Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last and didn't catch a thing. But if you say so, we'll try again." (Luke 5:1-5)

It's hard to obey when a command or rule doesn't make any sense to you. That's why I love Simon Peter in this passage. He was a fisherman. He fished for a living... which would lead us to believe that he knew a LOT about fishing: how to catch fish, where the best fishing spots are, the best times to fish.

So imagine what it must have been like to be fishing all night long and not catch a thing. And then, some dude - that you don't even know - has the nerve to tell you to stick your fishing nets back into the water. How easy it would have been to tell this guy to get lost! "You think you know better than me?! You think that I've been goofing off all night?"

But that's not how Simon responds. He simply says, "If you say so, we'll try again."

That's it.

"If you say so, we'll do it."

What a challenge to me, as I try to obey God's Word. So many times I want to ask questions and have everything figured out before I'm even willing to step out in faith.... But that isn't faith. That's taking control. Faith means trusting God, even when we don't understand. Even when life doesn't make sense.

So now this verse is posted above my desk: "If you say so, we'll try again." I only hope that it soon becomes my regular response to God, instead of a simple phrase written down on a notecard...

If You say, "Go", we will go. If You say, "Wait", we will wait.
If You say, "Step out on the water", and they say it can't be done,
we will fix our eyes on You and we will come.
(song lyrics, "If You Say Go")

Obedience or Death

"You NEVER talk back to your parents, whether you are right or wrong. You are NEVER disrespectful. If you refuse to obey them, you are kicked out of the village. Sometimes, you are killed."

This isn't just an idea from ancient days. This was said in my class last night by a student from Africa. Did you know that, in other cultures, children are never allowed to be disrespectful to their parents? It simply isn't tolerated. Seems so foreign to us, and indeed it is, for we are taught to stand up for ourselves and think independently. Not always a bad thing... but sometimes it teaches us to go our own way instead of walking in obedience.

We don't obey our parents.
We don't obey our God.

When we don't learn to submit to our parents, it's hard to learn to submit to Him.

Will we ever be able to give up control and simply follow Him?

"Stupid" Questions

I teach two public speaking classes at a college in Fort Wayne. My students, like most others, usually try to bend the rules or find a loophole to any assignment I give them.

Earlier this semester, I had a student ask me if he could show a 10-minute video clip for his speech. I looked at him - slightly laughing - and said, "The speech is only 6-8 minutes. You can show one minute of it, tops." (It is a speech, after all.) He walked away, and even though he knew what my answer would be, I think he was still upset with me because I told him that he couldn't show the entire thing.

Do you think we ever ask God these kinds of questions?
God, can I just slap her in the face? Just once?... No.
God, I don't really have to treat my teacher with respect, do I?... Yep.
God, the Sabbath? Isn't that just some Old Testament thing?... Nope, it's for you, too.

We wrestle with His Word, and sometimes we get upset because we can't do what we want to do. So we ask Him to change the rules. Or we try to get out of it, to find an exception.

I like how Scott put it on Sunday night... that we should obey first, and then we can ask why. For it is in our obedience that we show we trust Him, that we love Him.
Obey your parents. Okay, God. Why do I have to obey them?
Get rid of anger and bitterness. Yes, God. Why is this so important?

I can just imagine God looking at us - slightly laughing - as He listens to our inquiries. Our Father understands our difficulty in obeying Him. And I have to think that there's a part of Him that simply enjoys the fact that we are trying to follow in Christ's footsteps... "stupid" questions and all.

"But those who obey God's word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in Him" (1 John 2:5).

A little bit sharper

Have you ever spent time just thinking about HOW you became friends with your friends? When was the first time you met them? How long did it take you to get to know each other? What are some of your best memories of them?

There's a friend of mine that I've known for about 4 1/2 years. She and I lived on the same hall together freshmen year of college. Funny this is, we didn't really become friends until a year and a half ago, when we attended a leadership conference together. It took us three years to find each other... and ever since, I have loved discussing ideas and beliefs with her. She has challenged me to grow in so many ways.

I have another friend I've known for almost 7 years. He and I don't hang out very often; we only talk on the phone once every eight weeks or so. But I have treasured the time we spend together, whether we're talking about cars, dreaming about our future careers, or just eating some ice cream outside on a nice night. He is the only friend still in my life who remembers what I was like in high school. We have watched each other change as we've grown older.

Nate talked about friends influencing each other - "As iron sharpens iron, a friend sharpens a friend" (Proverbs 27.17). Without these two friends, I would have missed out on so many lessons. Both of them have helped me refine my beliefs and values. They have taught me what it means to be part of a family and how to handle sticky situations.

Which friends have majorly influenced you? Are they leaving a positive mark on your life, or leading you down a path of trouble?

I encourage you to take a few minutes this week and pray about your friendships.

Pray for your friends. Pray for the relationship you have with them. Pray for their families. And ask God if they are healthy friendships or if something needs to change. Because, as Nate has shown, friends really DO have a big impact on you...

Thinking about friendships...

I am convinced that we, as God's people, are called to fight with one another and fight for one another through life's battles.

As I've listened to Scott share these past few weeks about friendship, that conviction has only grown stronger. Scott asked a question that has gotten lodged in my mind: If you were in trouble, who would you call? In other words, who do you trust? Who do you want to be standing next to you when life gets rough?

Awhile ago, I had to go on a retreat - whitewater rafting in West Virginia. For several reasons, this was going to be a hard trip for me... I'd be going with people I didn't know too well, spending the entire trip outdoors, eating whatever was available. For a picky eater who's quiet and gets sick easily, this wasn't going to be a fun trip.

But I had a friend who wrote a letter to me for each day I was to be gone. And every day, I opened a letter from her that was filled with encouragement. I had another friend call me three times just to check in and tell me he was praying. Those two friends helped me make it through the week. I would trust them with ANYTHING.

And then I started wondering... Would anyone want ME standing next to them? Am I the type of person that others trust? Do I show them that I care about them? that I would do anything to help them?

What do you think? Do you have friends you know you can count on? Do others consider you to be that friend?

Wired for Worship--Psalm 90

Psalm 90

 

OK, who knew prior to today that Moses wrote one of the Psalms? Not me. Since his Psalm 90 sounds a little depressing to me, maybe they didn’t let him contribute to the book of Psalms anymore after that.  Hmmm??

 

I had a hard time following ol’ Moses here but my simple mind boiled it down to this simpler version of Psalm 91. 

 

God, you are eternal and huge!

Our lives are very temporary, rather hard, and we screw up a lot

Teach us to live life wisely

Please return soon!

Replace all of this life with joy and gladness

Be happy with us for all that we did in this life

 

Moses still sounds a little depressed and in need of a day off. I guess that is how you might feel while wandering around in the desert for 40 years. I’d be writing “God come quick”, and “God get us out of here” too I guess.

 

You and I probably have happier thoughts on a daily basis than Moses wrote about here but his point is still a good one. When Jesus returns for us, even our greatest days so far will be nothing when compared to the joy and happiness that he promises.  

 

...by Troy Hershberger

 

   

 

 

Wired for Worship--Psalm 86

Psalm 86

 

David, the man after God's own heart

 

Picture a little child approaching their parents and saying, " I really need your help, but I don't expect that you will." Imagine how the parents would feel knowing their child did not believe that the mom or dad loved them enough to act on their behalf. How can we apply this scenario to our relationship with our Heavenly Father?  Do we believe that the God of the Universe loves us enough to act on our behalf?

 

David in Psalm 86 verses 3-5 says this:

 

" Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to you all day long. Rejoice the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."

 

I believe that God considered David a man after His own heart not because of David's righteousness, but because David believed that God  was truly who He says he is.

 

Verse 5 says that the Lord is good and responds to ALL those who call upon Him. Not only in the 86th Psalm but throughout the entire book, David praises the Lord for His unfailing deliverance of all those who fear Him and call on His name. God must have been so pleased with David because he thought the Lord was as good as He said He was.

 

David cried out to God because he knew and expected God to move on his behalf. Isn't this why Jesus says in Matt. 7:11

 

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.!" 

 

Psalm 86:13, 15 & 17 say this:

 

"For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol." " But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth." " Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me."

.

David was completely convinced that because he cried out to the Lord that God would eventually come to his rescue. The God of the Bible wants his followers today to believe that He loves them as much as David knew He did so many years ago.  

 

...by Bryan Koorey

 

Wired for Worship---Psalm 46

What does Psalm 46 reveal to me about God?  How powerful he is. 

 

Verses 1-3 tell me when the troubles of life come, whether it be earthquake, landslide, tsunami, or flood…bring it.  Let it come…I will not be afraid because God is my ever-present safe place.  Where has there been a safe-place for you?  I’m reminded of experiencing childhood nightmares and running frightened into my parents’ room.  I ran so fast I forgot to breathe because I was so deathly afraid the monster would grab my foot and pull me under the bed…and I’d be lost forever.  As soon as my parents heard my steps, they were waiting to catch me in their arms and offer indescribable safety and protection…I would hear, “It’s all going to be ok.  Don’t be afraid, daddy’s got ya.” 

 

God wants to offer us that protection and strength.  I think the key phrase in verse 1 is “always ready”.  This means I have to make the choice to go to Him.  I have to make the choice to place my foot out of bed and onto the floor…allowing myself to become vulnerable and asking Him to be my protector—He loves to offer strength and refuge; He is a fortress. Why we need this refuge is in the following verses.

 

In verse 6 He demonstrates terrifying power.  “God’s voice thunders, and the earth melts.”  God simply speaks and the earth turns to mush.  Woah…I am so thankful to be called His.  If I wasn’t His, I’d be part of the nations in chaos--part of the world the Psalmist writes about getting destroyed.  Verse 8 tells us to look at the glorious work of our Lord when he brings destruction to the world.  For me, this Psalm makes me want to run screaming to Him for refuge when life’s earthquakes come.

 

And what is his reply to us when we run to Him?  Verse ten says,

 

“Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world.” 

 

How awesome!  No matter what crazy situations life brings me, He says to be patient, trust Him, and know that He will be honored.  For me, this ‘being still’ means I must quiet myself and let Him do the moving.  I must forget all my selfish motives, quiet my heart--basically stop all of my efforts, so that He can use my life.

 

He is capable of melting the earth with a whisper, but He offers me an eternal safe place because He loves me in a way I cannot begin to understand.

 

He is always ready for us to run to Him in the middle of the night…and we will always hear …”Don’t be afraid, daddy’s got ya.”

 

…by BRANDY LONGSTRETH

Wired for Worship--Psalm 16

Psalm 16

Do you ever find that God’s truth just pours breath into your soul, gives you hope for each day and sometimes, the strength to get through each minute? I just love that the word is alive and hits us in the heart, right where we need it! In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man (woman!) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” May this Psalm equip you today!

Personally, Psalm 16 has been such an encouragement to me over the past 24-hours! I love how David clings to God, seeking Him out. Check out verses 1 and 2: “Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’” Do you remember on Sunday at One when we talked about humility… defining it as correct thinking of oneself? Seems like David gets it… he thinks correctly about himself because He knows and thinks correctly of His God! Amazing!

I love how “The Message” paraphrases portions of this Psalm… Look at this:
“My choice is you, God, first and only. And now I find I’m your choice! You set me up with a house and yard. And then you made me your heir!… Day and night, I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going, and I’m not letting go.”

Ahh, we gain such sweet perspective when we step outside of ourselves and attempt to see our lives from His perspective. At times, I tend to forget that I am a child of THE King! Yep, that certainly changes everything! We sometimes forget that He is so willing to pour His blessings into the lives of His children! In our culture, I think we easily translate the word “blessings” to material items; however, I have found that the true blessings of life come in the form of peace, contentment, and joy! He’s willing to give these to us as we seek His face. Just read verse 11! (“You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand”).

Today, Warsaw didn’t have school because of the fog (only in Indiana can you miss school for a blizzard one week and fog the next!) However, as I glanced out the window this afternoon, I saw something amazing… the sun! It’s amazing how bright, warm sunshine can make even dirty, slushy snow look okay. I think it’s similar in our lives… our lives don’t look like anything spectacular, but as the light of Christ shines on us… amazing things happen. May we focus on that in this day… “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (verse 8). May we gain new perspective today… His perspective!

… by Deanna Greene

Wired for Worship---Psalm 13

Psalm 13

 

Ever feel like God's not listening? Ever feel like the Lord is a million miles away and there is nothing that can close the distance? Maybe it is a painful circumstance in your life that will not go away. You've prayed for month's or even years for God to intervene and there is no obvious change in the situation. Perhaps it is a dream or desire that has remained unfulfilled in the midst of continual crying out to God. I have never talked to a Christian who has not experienced, at one time or another,  the silence of God during a desperate time of need. Has the Lord really abandoned us in these times or is there another perspective?

 

Psalms 13 begins with David crying out to God and asking why the Lord has forgotten him while the enemy closes in.  Looking back on the life of David, you may be wondering what there was to complain about. Isn't this the shepherd boy who valiantly kills the largest warrior of Israel's fiercest enemy? After this he is then brought into the King's palace, is given King Saul's daughter in marriage and eventually takes over the throne. Sounds pretty good huh? Let's look a little closer. 

 

Because David was such a successful warrior, King Saul festered with jealousy until he drove David into the wilderness and hunted him for years. David assembled a misfit army and lived in the caves of Ziklag. Several times his men threatened to kill him because their circumstance were so dire. This all took place AFTER the prophet of the Lord anointed David king of Israel. Had God forgotten about His promise to David? Was David left to die at the hand of a jealous king while the Lord hid His face? As the story unfolds we see David go from rags to riches as God finally hands him the kingdom He promised years before. While we have the luxury of reading the story of David's life from beginning to end in a matter of minutes, our lives are being played moment by moment.

 

We as humans tend to see our lives in small blips. When our situation becomes dire the temptation to believe that the Lord has forgotten His child is all too enticing. If we are not delivered from our trial in short order the conclusion is that God no longer cares for us and He has taken His eyes off of us. Our greatest fear as Christians is to be deserted by the God that we have put our faith and trust in. Isn't it? Did God leave David? No way. His mighty hand was on David delivering him from every trouble. The God of the universe watched David like a hawk to be sure that the promise He made to him would be fulfilled. As followers of Jesus Christ, we too have been given many promises. It is during the trails of our lives that we will find the hand of God  working for our deliverance to complete the promises even though we cannot feel it. David concludes Psalm 13 with this:

 

"I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me."

 

Look back over your life and see if the Lord has not dealt bountifully with you. I believe He will continue because He does actually love us.

 

…by Bryan Koorey

Wired for Worship---Psalm 27

PSALM 27

Have you ever felt that the world is waiting in expectation for you to fail? What do we do when we are surrounded by people whose only desire in this life is to watch us fall? David had a simple explanation: Boast. This is probably why at first glance this psalm doesn't appear to make any sense.  He doesn’t try to fix the situation or be a people pleaser. 

So often as Christians we embrace this idea that a man or woman, who truly loves God, will not have conflict or hardship. They will be happy people who everyone likes. We think that if we aren't happy or people don't like us then we are somehow sinning.

But Christ rejected this definition in Luke 6:22-26 when he said, "Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets…Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

Essentially Christ says that a man who follows him with all of his heart will be steeped in conflict. This is not because we go looking for it (Romans 12:18). If we speak the truth boldly and in love (Matthew 28:18, John 13:35, & Ephesians 4:15), people will naturally hate us (Matthew 10:34-39). It is the nature of truth. It is exclusive, which means it excludes others, it convicts others of their sin... and people do not like to be convicted of their sin.

So this is where David finds himself. He has spoken the truth boldly, and he is surrounded by people who hate him. And yet David is fully confident. He knows that when he is most broken, afraid, and powerless than God is at his greatest. This is why he boasts. It is just as Paul says in 2 Cor. 12:9-10 "But he said to me (God), "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

David understood this. Therefore, he said in verse 1 "The lord is the light of my salvation, whom shall I fear?" & in verse 2 "The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid."

He understood that in his weakness God was at His greatest. David understood that man could do nothing to him (Matthew 10:28)

It is important to understand that David is not confident, because he knows that he can outwit or defeat his enemies. He knows without God' help he is dead, "(12) Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence." David is confident, because he has laid himself fully at God's feet. He knows that God, in time, will do miracles through those who submit themselves fully to Him. Even though David doesn't know how God will do this or when, he is still completely confident. He knows God is good, just, and loving. David has faith and knows that in time God will do something miraculous. So David ends by saying,

"(13) I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. (14) Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

So here is my final thought: When you find yourself struggling and in impossible situations, when you find yourself surrounded by people who only want you to fail, and when all seems hopeless: Boast: For in due time God will bring great glory to himself through your faith (Hebrews 12: 7-13).

…by Nate Edgington