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Category Archives: Philippians

Philippians 1:9-11

30 Sep

9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9-11

Dear God, I need to pray for this more for my friends who are Christians: that your love through them will overflow more and more, and that they will continue to grow in knowledge and understanding. For my relative who chose to follow you back at Christmastime. For my three closest friends. For my wife. For my coworkers who worship you and call on your name. I could go on and on. There are so many. And this is a good place to start as I pray for them. That your love will overflow through them more and more.

A pastor friend calls this having leaky buckets that will just drip you and your presence everywhere they go. I guess I might modify it that the buckets won’t be leaky as much as the love will just slosh over the top as they move through their days. That the love will overflow. And that they will grow in knowledge and understanding of what you are doing in the world around them and how you would have them interact with it.

Father, as for myself, help my bucket to overflow. Help me to access you to the point where your love is flowing through me and sloshing over the sides onto everyone I encounter. Love generously through me. Love mercifully through me. And help me to know how to interact with the world around me. How to interact with challenges at work. How to interact with challenges in family. How to interact with the news I hear. Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, teach me, please. Bring me into complete oneness with you.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 30, 2024 in Philippians

 

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Philippians 1:27-2:4

14 Sep

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 1:27-2:4

Dear God, just a side note here really quickly before I get started. Bible translations do matter. I first read this passage this morning in the NIV that was updated a few years ago from the original NIV. In that, Chapter 2 does not start with questions in the NIV. It starts with, “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then…” It was the “Therefore” that sent me back to chapter 1 to see what Paul was “therefore-ing.” If it hadn’t been there, I’d have probably just started there at chapter 2. I’m grateful I saw it. We are sometimes disserved by the chapter and verse designations because they artificially split thoughts the original author didn’t intend. It would be interesting to have a version of the Bible that just had verse numbers but no chapters. We’d end up with some huge verse numbers but it would change how we read the Bible.

With all that said, the translation we read does make a difference. Almost no one in the world is reading scripture in the author’s native tongue. We are all getting someone else’s translation. Frankly, there is so much opportunity built into the system I use to learn from scripture to misinterpret and get bad teaching, and that’s not even counting my own inability to read scripture or lack of education to know what they are really saying. It’s a flawed process. My prayer this morning is that it will somehow be redeemed through you.

With that said, what is Paul encouraging the Philippians to do here? What is the reminder to me? What are the directives he is giving to us as individuals as we join together as your Church:

  • For all of us to contending (The NLT uses “fighting” but the NIV uses “contending.” Interesting.) as one for the Good News.
  • If you do it right I/we won’t be frightened by those who oppose me/us.
  • Our unity will be a sign to them that we are right–their path leads to destruction and ours leads to life through Jesus.
  • Our path will lead to suffering.
  • Jesus unites us.
  • Jesus’s love comforts us.
  • The Holy Spirit gives us fellowship.
  • God gives us tenderness and compassion.
  • Be likeminded and united through the Spirit with my fellow believers.
    • Same love
    • Same purpose
    • Same selflessness
    • Same self sacrifice
    • Same humility that elevates others over ourselves
    • Same interest in looking after others

Father, I’m kind of there on some of these, but I have not come close to accomplishing this list as an individual, and it seems that the vast majority of our American churches are not here as well. We are afraid of a culture that fights against us. But we don’t approach that fear through you. We grasp on to idols that we think will give us power. Politicians. School boards. Judges. Those are the idols that will win the day for us. At least, that’s what we think. The dirty little secret of those idols is that they will be here today and gone tomorrow. those idols are not worthy of our love or our enemy’s love. If we use them, they will not persuade one enemy, but they will harden their hearts. No, the only thing that will persuade our enemy is the love of our God. If we live our lives as Paul directed here. So help me to do that today. Oh, Lord, help me to live that life today.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2024 in Philippians

 

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Philippians 2:5-11

13 Jul

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
8     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Dear God, reading this passage this morning made me think of the people who are hostile, dismissive, or even just indifferent about Jesus. They might think, “He is the author of a faith that hurts people.” They might think, “Oh, it’s ridiculous to believe in Jesus and the things the Bible says about him.” Or they might think, “Yeah, Jesus was fine. But that’s just not for me.” I guess there’s a fourth category I just thought of that bothers me: “Jesus, you’re my God so you’re going to do what I want you to do.” That bothers me just as much as the others.

But one day, all of us will, in unison, understand exactly who Jesus is. There are some people I dearly love who are in all of these categories. Some are friends. Some are family. Some are our political leaders. It really doesn’t matter except that it is my job to represent you well to everyone. It is my job to teach reverence to you, worship of you, submission to you, and then to learn from you and live by your example. That I will worship you well. That I will try to only impact the world around me through prayer, service, persuasion, and suffering. That I will be gentle and forgiving. That I will be humble and repentant–to you and to those I harm.

Father, I literally do not know what today holds. I have no idea. I don’t know what challenges await me or my wife. I don’t even completely know who I’m going to come across as I move through this day. But what I can control is that I will do everything I know to do to carry your Holy Spirit with me. I will do everything I can to love everyone who comes across my path. I will do everything I can to represent you well. Guide me in every moment. Speak to me through your still, small voice and through loud booming voices, as appropriate. And I want to say a special pray for my wife today. She is speaking at her aunt’s funeral. Give her a hedge of protection. Show her everything you have for her today. Help her to feel your presence and your peace. Let your Holy Spirit flow into and out of her. And for all of the family gathered for this funeral, let it be a time of healing. Use this precious woman’s loss as a time of new beginnings for individuals and relationships.

I offer this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 13, 2024 in Philippians

 

Lent Day 43

27 Mar

Dear God, I want to start praying for my friend who lost her husband suddenly from an accident yesterday. Oh, please support her, her children and grandchildren, and the employees they had who I know loved him. He was a genuinely good and kind man. The kind of man I would aspire to be. Please raise up people around them who will be your hands and feet to them. Love them well. Comfort them. And use this pain somehow. Don’t let them pain of this tragedy be wasted.

There are four more full days until Easter. But there are only two days from right now at 5:21 in the morning until Jesus is in the middle of his detention, beatings, and, ultimately, crucifixion. What must it have been like for him? Well, there is no way I can imagine. Absolutely no way.

With that said, here are the passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 55
  • PM Psalm: 74
  • Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-17
  • John 12:27-36
  • Philippians 4:1-13

Psalm 55 – I am always struck by David’s readiness for vengeance. It’s an interesting character trait–flaw? In the past, I’ve wondered what David’s life would have been like had he been made “judge” over Israel instead of “king.” If the Israelites hadn’t asked for a king, but had kept Samuel as their judge, and then Samuel had passed that torch to David, what would Judge David have been like? Would he have had less violence in his heart? Did somehow the act of being a king drive him into this place? Or was he like this all along? And how did you feel about this part of him? How did you feel about these psalms and what he said in them? They make me incredibly uncomfortable. At the same time, I am so impressed that he shared his fears, pains and insecurities so openly. So openly, in fact, that I can see them these thousands of years later.

Psalm 74 – This one makes me think that we absolutely don’t understand your ways. The human ignorance of your ways is kind of summed up in verse 19: Do not hand over the life of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the lives of your afflicted people forever. You did, in fact, hand over your ultimate dove (Jesus) to the wild beasts (the Pharisees–your spiritual leaders during Roman occupation) because you did not forget the lives of your people (all of us). It’s a good reminder to me that I simply do not understand what you are doing, and I never will understand until I am on the other side of this life. Thank you for allowing for my own ignorance and loving me so much anyway.

Jeremiah 17:5-10, 14-17 – Like a tree planted by the water. That’s how verse 7 describes the person who trusts in you. Plenty of water. Plenty of nutrition. Plenty of fruit. Oh, Father, when the day is hot and the heat wants to burn my leaves, please be my source of strength to fight against it. And give me good fruit so that others might be blessed by you through my life submitted to you.

John 12:27-36 – The end of the passages says, “When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” Also, going back to the idea that this was Passion week, it’s interesting in verse 30 when Jesus says, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine.” I’m part of that “your.” John recorded this so that I could read it one day. Oh, he might not have known this would be part of scripture read 2,000 years later, but you gave it to John to give to me and to the rest of us. Thank you.

Philippians 4:1-13 – I love these exhortations for the Philippians. And Paul has something extra here. A little lesson. Do you want to be content in any and every situation, whether living with a lot of nothing? Remember that God is with you and is your strength. Well, help me to remember that lesson today. Help me to lean into you when I am stressed. Help me to embrace you when I am frustrated. Help me to worship and love you when I am angry and afraid. And when things are great and people are wanting to applaud me, help me to give you all of the glory because it is only through you that anything good has happened through my life.

I offer all of this prayer to you in Jesus Christ and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 27, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Philippians, Psalms

 

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Lent Day 42

26 Mar

Dear God, I was thinking about the confining nature of how I’ve been doing my prayer journals over the last 42 days by focusing on just the passages from Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer. And I have no regrets in doing this. It’s been good. But I’ve also found it’s been a little stifling as I come across other things such as podcasts, books, or songs that I would have normally prayed about. Then it occurred to me that I could always do more than one prayer journal a day. I don’t only have to do these in the morning. Hmm. Once again, I am my own greatest limiter when it comes to the experiences I bring into my life that might draw me closer to you.

With that said, here are today’s passages:

  • AM Psalm: 6
  • PM Psalm: 94
  • Jeremiah 15:10-21
  • John 12:20-26
  • Philippians 3:15-21

Psalm 6 – Because of other factors in my life, it seems like I have been a bit more sorrowful during the Lenten season. I’ve normally really felt some of these lament psalms when I read them. But this morning, it’s not where my heart is. I feel energized. I feel hopeful. I feel like I’m more on top of things and the water is more around my knees or waist than it is up to my neck. For that, I’m grateful. I know sorrow will return at some point. Maybe even tomorrow. But right now, I am feeling a lot of joy as I sit here and commune with you.

Psalm 94 – I honestly don’t like most of this psalm, but I do like verses 18 and 19. They feel like what I was just talking about with Psalm 6: When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Thank you.

Jeremiah 15:10-21 – This passage just makes me think of the unfortunate life Jeremiah lived in service to you. Now, I don’t know what his life would have been like had he denied you and lived for only himself, but the road you had for him to walk was a difficult one. I feel unbelievably fortunate my road, while certainly sometimes very painful, is so much easier than his. My calling a bit sweeter to the taste and softer to the touch. I guess my prayer here would be that you not allow me to get lulled to sleep in my comfort.

John 12:20-26 – While all of the people in Jerusalem that day were seeing celebrity that they wanted to be close to, Jesus was experiencing everything on a whole different level. He understood what they didn’t–what they couldn’t. He knew he was about to suffer terribly. I’m sure the celebrity he had annoyed him as the disciples brought a request for some Greek people who wanted to see him.

Philippians 3:15-21 – Verses 15 and 16: All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. This makes me think of some of the real differences American Christians have with each other. Help your truth to come to light. Help us to see the world with your eyes. Help us to be very clear. Let everyone who calls on your name be united in you so that we might exhibit the fruits of your Holy Spirit to the world and that the world might come to know and worship you.

I pray all of this in Jesus Christ and everything he did during his life, this Passion week, and his resurrection, and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Philippians, Psalms

 

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Lent Day 41

25 Mar

Dear God, I have a lot racing around my head this morning with the different things on my plate today. But it is most important that I start this way. Sitting here. With you. Reading scripture. Stilling my heart and listening to your Holy Spirit. For this moment, let the whole world fade while I consider the Passion of Jesus and what this week means as we head into Easter.

Here are today’s passages for Sacred Invitation: Lenten Devotions Inspired by the Book of Common Prayer.

  • AM Psalm: 51
  • PM Psalm: 69:1-23
  • Jeremiah 12:1-16
  • John 12:9-19
  • Philippians 3:1-14

Psalm 51 – It seems like I’ve done this one already as part of this Lent. I wonder if there are repeats. But of course, it’s always good to be reminded of repenting. Of course, Jesus wrote this before Jesus. If he were sitting as a Christian after Jesus’s death and resurrection (ignoring the fact that Jesus came from his lineage so that would be impossible), how would he have responded given the exact same circumstances? How does the New Covenant change David’s response under the Old Covenant? I honestly don’t know the answer to that. How could I? But I know that sometimes I probably don’t really feel the pain of my sin as much because I take what Jesus did for me for granted. That’s probably not a good thing. As I think about the Passion this week, perhaps I should also be thinking about my sin more as well. Feeling it more.

Psalm 69:1-23 – Another one that feels like I’ve read during this Lenten season. I wonder if parts of this psalm were a comfort to Jesus during the Passion. Excepting for the parts where David wrote about his folly, and may be the parts about retribution for enemies, maybe some of these words fit his situation: “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.”

Jeremiah 12:1-16 – You love us all. Jewish. Gentile. You love us all. Thank you for what Jesus did this week and what it meant for grafting my branch into your vine: “And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’–even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal–then they will be established among my people.” (Verse 16)

John 12:9-19 – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. No one that day (the day of the Triumphal Entry) knew what was happening except Jesus. The crowd thought they had a new earthly king to conquer and kill. The Pharisees thought they had a heretic and a threat to their power and the status quo. The disciples didn’t even know. John says in verse 16, “At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize these things had been written about him and that they had done these things to him.” I’m so ignorant. I have no idea what is going on. What I have to do but stay in the moment and lean on you.

Philippians 3:1-14 – Believe me, Father, I do not feel like I have attained anything. I have no confidence in my own righteousness. I have no pride in how things have turned out for me. I am humbled before you and before my family and friends.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I have several things happening today. Walk with me through them. I fear no one. I fear not situation or circumstance? Why? Because of me? No, I don’t fear them because what can anyone do to me? You are my God. I am your servant. I just want to represent you well in this world. Help me to represent you well.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on March 25, 2024 in Jeremiah, John, Lent 2024, Philippians, Psalms

 

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Philippians 4:6-7

25 Jan

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Dear God, I was talking with a coworker this week about how we forget to pray for your guidance when we have something difficult in front of us. When we have a mountain to move. Instead, we end up grabbing a shovel and trying to move it one scoop at a time. We are so foolish.

Even this week, I’ve been a little under the weather. Just mildly ill. But I haven’t prayed to you at all about it. I’ve gotten my medicine. I’ve done some little things I think will help. But I don’t just stop and ask for you to be with me. To heal me. I’ve prayed for others who are sick, but not myself.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, problems will come up today. There are problems that need to be solved. Help me to solve them. Better yet, please solve them for me. Give us favor with those who can help resolve some of the issues we are facing. Oh, Lord, be merciful, powerful, and gracious. And use each challenge to form us into better worshippers of you and lovers of our neighbors.

I pray all of this through the mercy of Jesus,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 25, 2024 in Philippians

 

Philippians 1:15-24

18 Aug

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. 16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. 17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. 18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. 19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

Philippians 1:15-24

Dear God, I know that it’s easy for me to say these words because I do not experience imminent threats to my safety or even my livelihood, but this is the attitude I aspire towards. That my life should really not matter. That I am willing to suffer if it means other will be saved.

Now that I think about it, I had some weird dreams last night. I don’t remember everything, but I remember a mixture of sorrow and joy. I remember one dream where my wife had written a screenplay about our lives that had been sold into a movie. I found out by watching a trailer for the movie and recognizing the story as ours. When I asked her how much she sold our story for, she told me and I was delighted for her and for where we are now compared to the trials I had seen depicted in the trailer. Later, I know I was crying. I’m not sure why. But I was sad about something.

Of course, I do have sorrow. My heart does ache. I guess, like my dream, I have some things in my life that bring me great joy, and other things that make me very sad. It makes me think of the Rich Mullins song “The Love of God.” One of the verses says, “Joy and sorry are this ocean. It’s in their every ebb and flow. Now the Lord a door has opened that all hell could never close. Here I’m tested and made worthy. Tossed about, yet lifted up in the reckless, raging fury that they call the love of God.”

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, today, I give you my joy and my sorrow. Both are yours. My joy comes from you and I return it to you. My sorrow is something you will comfort and refine me through. I am tested and made worthy. I’m tossed about, yet lifted up into the reckless, raging fury of your love. Thank you. Thank you.

I pray all of this grateful to be submitted to you,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 18, 2023 in Hymns and Songs, Philippians

 

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Philippians 4:8

25 Jan

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Dear God, so I’ve talked about the marriage conference this last weekend, which was GREAT! One thing interesting that has happened to me is that it has caused me to be more cautious about what I’m consuming. Even something as simple as the music I listen to and the YouTube videos I watch. Are they negative? Are they against you? Sure, it might not be about you, but is it against you?

It reminds me of the fall of 2020 when I stayed off of Facebook for a week while my wife and I were on vacation at the coast. Afterwards, after I had detoxed from it (and I mean detox in the literal sense because I now think it is toxic), I couldn’t bring myself to log on again. Even now, I will get on there long enough to post something from our nonprofit, share it on my page and then log off again.

Going back to this verse, I have to wonder what kinds of things Paul was talking about here in first century Philippi. They didn’t have songs on the radio, shows on TV, videos to stream, or even books/magazines in the home. So he was talking about really thinking about such things. Having that attitude. For us, there is so much input that can be negative from which we have to guard ourselves. But we also live in a time when there are a lot of positive resources too. The channels I can use to consume negative things can also be used for positive things. I have a lot more choices to make that the Philippians did, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still make the right ones.

Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, help me to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Help me to consume things that are excellent and praiseworthy. Help me to do it, first, as worship of you. Then help me to do it so that my soul might be shaped and I can love your daughter the way you want me to love her. To give myself up for her. To anguish over her and her wellbeing, regardless of what it costs me or how she responds to it. You are my God. She is my wife. You have given me a life that is unreasonably good. Thank you.

I pray all of this in your Holy Name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on January 25, 2023 in Philippians

 

Philippians 3:14

28 Jul

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:14

Dear God, I think this is two days back-to-back that the verse of the day from Bible Gateway was been the two theme verse from the two Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) national conferences I attended in 1986 and 1987. What are the odds? Holy Spirit, are you trying to tell me something? Are you getting my attention from verses that hit my radar 35-ish years ago?

The connective tissue for these verses is giving myself a chance to perform. From Hebrews, throwing off the things that tie me down. From Philippians, persevering. To quote the movie Galaxy Quest: “Never give up, never surrender!” But I just need to make sure I don’t do these things in my power. It’s not by my strength that I press on. It’s not by my virtue. I need you.

Father, Holy Spirit, I’m about to start a vacation, but I don’t want it to be just sunk time of self-indulgence. Help me even in this moment to press on into you. Use this time to shape me and teach me. Help me to learn from my wife. Help me to learn from those I meet over the next 17 days. Help me to bring you into their lives as well. Be glorified through me and show me what work you have for me to do, both in my vocation and in my personal life.

I pray all of this by the privilege the Lord Jesus afforded me through his life, death and resurrection.

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 28, 2022 in Philippians

 
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