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Category Archives: Philippians

Philippians 3:12

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Dear God, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the seeds we try to plant in our children’s lives and the hopes that we have that they will grow into something when they grow up. I remember reading the parable Jesus told of the seed that fell in the different types of soil and rock when my children were young and praying that the seeds my wife and I were planting would find deep, rich soil. Lately, as my children are both living far from me now and my current influence on their lives is minimal, my prayers for them usually include you helping those seeds that were planted long ago to break through any rock or thorns Satan is trying to put into their lives so that they might be your people.

I mention this in relation to this verse because it is a seed that was planted in me 30+ years ago. Fellowship of Christian Athletes has this as their theme verse one year when I was in high school, and every time I come across it I am taken back to those moments and even the feelings I would have at the time. I don’t necessarily walk around now in hard times saying, “I need to press on…” but I do get a grounding in my faith every time see it.

Father, thank you for the seeds you have planted and continue to plant in my life. Please help them to find good soil and avoid the vines, thorns, weeds, and rocks that Satan tries to use in my life. And I pray for the seeds you have planted and continue to plant in my wife’s and children’s lives. Help all of us press on towards the goal of loving you, worshipping you, and doing what we can to be your ambassadors.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

 

Philippians 2:3-4

Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 

Dear God, we just got back from a weekend at Fort Davis and while we were there we drove through Marfa. We saw the hotel that was involved in the movie Giant. My wife and I have never seen the movie and then, last night, it happened to be on TV when we got home. We watched the first half of it and recorded the rest to finish later. I bring all of this up because there was only one character–the Elizabeth Taylor character–who seemed to have any interest in living out this passage. The conflict between her and Rock Hudson was largely built around the fundamentals of this passage. 

So the admonition of this passage is to “let nothing be done…” So when I see my wife first thing this morning I am to live out this passage. When I encounter people at work, at Rotary, etc., I am to live out this passage. When I drive down the road, buy something at the store, call someone on the phone, or whatever I might do, I am supposed to esteem each person as better than myself. 

Father, be glorified in me and through me. Love others through me. Help me to remember to be more evangelical in my interactions and be more intentional about leading others to you. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen 

 
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Posted by on September 18, 2017 in Philippians

 

Philippians 2:1-4

Philippians 2:1-4 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Dear God, I love this exportation from Paul: “…value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” When everyone in a community is doing that then I don’t have to worry about looking out for my own interests because the others will have my back. 

I read a great marriage book about 15 years ago called Sacred Marriage. The subtitle was, “What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?” The author basically took our pursuit of our own happiness through our marriage off of the table and pursued the idea that, even in strife we should submit ourselves to our spouse and let God use the relationship to draw us closer to him. Ultimately, if both spouses are following this philosophy then they will be having their needs met by the other, or the other will encourage their needs being met beyond what they themselves can give. And if one spouse just never submits in that way, outside of things you just can’t live with like emotional/physical abuse and adultery, you can just use that relationship to perfect your own relationship with God. 

Father, make me the husband, family member, boss and friend that I need to be within this spirit. Be glorified through me, but also make me the worshippers of you and the servant of you that you need me to be–for my sake as much as yours. 
In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 14, 2017 in Philippians