Thoughts From Philippians 4 - Part 3

  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near Phil. 4:5

     " Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving..." These are two of the verses I learned as a kid and two of the most famous verses in the Bible, Phil. 4:4,6. Poor verse 5. He's like the middle child od Bible verses. Why didn't we memorize that? It's short enough. If your parents are bribing you to memorize verses, it's a gimme.

     As a male, I'm not sure I wanted to be known as gentle growing up. It's like all the girls writing in my yearbook what a nice guy I was. I wanted to be known for something a little more desirable - more masculine. If you were picking a basketball team, would you pick the fighter or the gentle guy? Now, at this age, I don't mind being considered gentle. The other day I was at a sandwich shop where they give free suckers, like Sugar Daddys or as I call them, crown removers, and a little kid was upset sitting at a table near me that he didn't get one. I reached over and handed him mine and he literally ran away. I guess the old saying, "Don't take candy from strangers" is still in play. What I wanted to tell him was that I was the most harmless person he would ever meet. Harmless - that's something you don't want written in your yearbook.

     Gentle people don't usually star in movies. They don't get the girl in Rom Coms. It's not a trait we value at all yet Paul says that considering God is watching you and He's coming back soon, let Him see you being gentle. That means that I might be the supporting actor in people's biography. That means that I might be the one who is going around putting people back together. It suggests that we are living not for ourselves and our rights and feelings but rather concerned with others more than ourselves - which is what love is, what the great commandment is. Remember that meekness means yieldedness which doesn't mean weakness. Weakness is definitely an undesirable trait, and we aren't commanded to be weak. Meekness means we have the power and right to be in control, to be about ourselves, to take charge, yet we yield it willingly to serve others. That's what Paul is getting at here.

      God is watching you - what is he seeing? Gentleness or assertiveness. Self-centeredness or love? People are watching you - what are they seeing. Gentleness or abrasiveness. Self- centeredness or someone that they can take their problems to? Be known for your gentleness!

Thoughts From Philippians 4 - Part 2

 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Phil. 4:4

       In America right now, there isn't a lot to rejoice in. Gas prices are at an all-time high, we're involved in a war that it seems very few people wanted with no clear path to accomplishing the goal of giving Iranian citizens a better life, Mid-terms are coming with mud-slinging starting, baseball is set for a strike, talks about relocating a whole city of New Orleans, a rocket blowing up, AI taking over jobs and its threat to humanity, grocery prices up, threats of Ebola and the list goes on. But the World Cup is coming! Although this means very little to the average U.S. citizen, have you ever seen the excitement in the stands and anywhere where a TV is located in other countries? There is an annoying background humming on TV during the games which I'm told is caused from people blowing some horns all game. They are so excited that they have to expel energy some way. Have you heard how the announcers scream GGGGGGGOOOOOOAAAAALLLL when a team scores? It lasts like 20 seconds. I guess when there is one goal a game it's pretty exciting when it happens. Fans paint their faces wear team colors, work takes a back seat, and all people can talk about is soccer or football as non-Americans call it.

      Here's my point. In the midst of all the bad stuff going on, somehow people mentally remove themselves from that world into the world of soccer and live lives of rejoicing. This happens for a few weeks every four years. As Christians, is it possible to mentally remove ourselves from all the negativity going on around us and focus on the victory we've achieved in Christ? We have defeated death and overcome the world through our union with Christ. Our victor will be returning any time and passing out crowns. We are going to live forever in Heaven as sons of the King and yet we go around moping. We should be blowing those horns, I think they are called vuvuzelas, all day long. I think I will order one on Amazon.

 We should be painting our faces and wearing Team Jesus T-shirts. Have you seen the athletes wearing "Jesus Won" t-shirts? They get it! 

      We have so much to rejoice about! Christians should be known for rejoicing. Blow those vuvuzelas!

Thoughts From Philippians 4 - Part 1

  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Phil. 4:1-3

         In the previous passage Paul was telling us how to keep from being defeated and giving in to the mindset of the Kingdom of Earth which glorifies power, wealth, image, influence, and indulging fleshly appetites, and his answer was to keep looking up - to focus on Heaven - to keep our eyes on the prize. Isn't that the crux of faith anyway? When you look at the faith chapter, Hebrews 11, there are six illustrations of that;

1. they accepted the confiscation of their property because they knew they had better and lasting possessions 10:34

2. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob lived in tents because they were looking forward to a city built by God. 11:9,10

3. They lived like aliens because they were longing for a heavenly country 11:15

4. Moses left the treasures of Egypt, disgraced, because he was looking for a reward 11:26

5. Saints were tortured so they could receive a better resurrection 11:35

6. Jesus endured the cross for the joy set before Him. 12:2

So in other words, to escape the world from getting inside us, our faith must increase which is relying on and trusting in the unseen.

       Paul gives two examples of this in this passage. First, he calls the church his crown. A crown is something we receive as a prize or reward, or a symbol of status that usually has great value on the Earth. Paul is using the term symbolically because his prize will be when he gets to Heaven and sees them there as a result of his faithfulness. God might even award him a crown in Heaven for his faithfulness and obedience. Paul eschews wealth, status, rewards on Earth for rewards in Heaven. Can the same be said of us or are we seeking recognition here on Earth more so than Heaven?

      Secondly, he refers to names of believers written in the Book of Life. When it is all said and done, does it matter if our names are written on a list of who's who down here or will it matter for all eternity that my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life? If I ever get awards or recognition may it end by me saying, "I appreciate the recognition but even if I wasn't recognized in this way, I'm grateful that my name is written in the Book of Life and I have crowns waiting for me in Heaven and that's all I'll ever need."

Thoughts From Philippians 3 - Part 4

  For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Phil. 3:18-21

           I do spend a lot of time on Twitter or X I must confess. Instagram and Facebook get little time and I've never downloaded TikTok. We just took a trip with our 13 year old niece to California and she said, "Isn't Facebook for old people?" I fear for her development and my other 10 grandchildren as they grow up in this cell phone era. The stuff I see on X makes me cringe. I like X because it keeps me up to date on my baseball team, the news (have to fact check everything though), Christian leaders and edifying posts, Christian music, Pokemon Go events and more. But other things pop up like young adult influencers who break records of how many people you can have sex with in a day, masturbating live on Only Fans, drunken parties, showing off perfect bodies, and podcasts discussing every lewd behavior imaginable with millions of views. Just saw that Chelsea Handler sleeps with multiple men and if anyone wants to get serious, they are gone. Cherlize Theron says it's a turn off if guys say "You want to make love?" She says just say, "You want to have sex?" Clavicular says that his signature move is to approach women with an erection. It's shameful for me to even repeat this stuff!

       Paul would describe these posts as "taking glory in their shame". In other words, the things that they should be ashamed of is what they are posting and actually getting famous for. He talks about this in his letter to the Romans as he is talking about the downward spiral of sin when he says,

 "Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

       He says that they approve of, or in modern day vernacular "give likes to" or "follow" people who take glory in what should be shameful. Was Paul prophesying about today? No, things have always been this bad, in fact God flooded the earth and started over because 4000 years ago it was worse. Never before, however, has debauchery been at our fingertips 24/7 before. Our poor kids and grandkids. As Allison Eide sings, "Sorry if you're growing up and you're 15 and living in the 21st century..."

      How can we not succumb? My dad would say, "Keep looking up!" Set our eyes and affections on the return of the Lord and as the saying goes, "Make Heaven crowded" Spend more time in the Word and talking to God than we do scrolling or texting. Spend more money on expanding the kingdom than our waste lines and then spending money on Ozempic to reduce them. As the song goes,

       "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face;

         And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

         In the light of His glory and grace."    Post that!

Thoughts From Philippians 3 - Part 3

 All of us, then, 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. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. Phil. 3:15-17

       I was recently watching an episode of Dutton Ranch, a spinoff of Yellowstone, where the son gets in trouble for beating up someone while defending someone else and when he's confronted by his dad he tells his dad, "That's what you do". His dad answers, "How many times have I told you to do as I say, not as I do?" I'm sure you've heard the warnings in church, "Keep your eyes focused on Christ not other Christians. Christians will always let you down." Paul is giving different advice here. Paul is telling them to follow his example and others who live like Paul, Timothy, and Epaphroditus do.

      Is there anyone you know who you feel safe in following their example? Could people follow your life and be safe? As a parent I can't say do as I say, not as I do, because kids won't listen to that or respect it. They think if you do it, why shouldn't they? Behavior is like entropy, it always goes toward disorder rather than order. It always goes toward how bad can I be, not how good can I be - that's the sin nature. We need to model righteous behavior and have people see the good that comes from it.

       Paul adds that we don't model and do good deeds to get to God, but rather we live up to what we have already attained. In other words, because Christ washed away your sins and regenerated you, or made you a new person, you have the Holy Spirit living inside you and God sees you as good or righteous. You don't have to attain "goodness", you are already "good". Now just live it, don't live a lie.

      There are so many hypocrites out there that it's hard to know who to model your life after besides Christ. I think that's why the warnings to follow Christ not Christians. My question to you is are you going to be the kind of Christian that people could safely follow or are you going to be a broken down one? Be the one!

Thoughts From Philippians 3 - Part 2

 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.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. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:7-14

          There are a lot of famous people lately professing Christ, whether it's getting baptized or just making a social media post but I've never seen anything like it. Just this week I heard about Ryan Lochte the Olympic gold medalist who even had a reality show celebrating his wild life got baptized. I read Eminem the rapper known for explicit lyrics and debauchery is rapping about Jesus. Sophie Cunningham, the "beauty" of the WNBA got baptized and says she is following Jesus. Ella Langley, the top female country star gave all the glory to Jesus Christ while receiving her award. Russell Brand, English comedian and notorious sinner gave his life to Christ while going through a sexual scandal trial. Perez Hilton, flamboyantly gay gossip columnist with 4.5 million followers went through a near death medical illness and reassessed his life and became a believer and is now posting about reading his Bible. I just read this morning that Hunter Biden may have had a conversion experience although I need more details on that. Donnie Wahlberg, actor and New Kids on the Block member, and his wife Jenny McCarthey known for sex tapes, etc., just added a verse to Forrest Frank's open mic challenge expressing faith in Christ. There was an Only Fans celebrity that gave up a 7-figure yearly income to follow Christ and a famous porn star just got saved.

         This is amazing and I'm always optimistic and hopeful, but I always have a degree of pessimism. Paul was at the top of his world as we saw in the previous verses and he by faith received Christ and lost all his friends, his popularity, and became hated so much that everyone wanted him dead. He lost home, wealth, influence, power, safety, retirement - everything for the sake of Christ. Paul said it was well worth it because to get to know Christ and to be known by Christ became everything to him. In fact, all those things he thought were important before now seemed like rubbish. I wonder if these celebrity conversions are that or just adding something else to their lives? Time will tell but we pray for perseverance and sanctification with patience from Christians in the process.

         While it's easy and more fun to look at others than ourselves, we have to ask these questions - am I willing to give up everything in this world to obtain a deeper relationship with God? Am I willing to endure suffering to know Christ better? Are treasures in Heaven more important to me than treasures on this Earth? I just read that Francis Chan's book Crazy Love has sold 2.2 million copies worldwide, yet his net worth is $300k. That's what I'm talking about. Is Jesus that "pearl of great price" that you would sell everything to obtain it? Is He that buried treasure in a plot of land that you would sell everything to buy that plot of land to dig up Jesus? I want to know Jesus more than anything. Do you?

Thoughts From Philippians 3 - Part 1

 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. Phil. 3:1-6

        My good friend Dennis once gave a devotion on 1Timothy 1:16,17. In those verses Paul describes himself as the chief of sinners and when you look at what he did to the church of Jesus Christ when he was Saul, he has to be high on the list. Dennis gave the example of, if you find yourself in prison and you want to be considered tough so you'll be left alone or maybe run the prison, you find the toughest guy and take him out. He said in his devotion that removes the excuse, "I'm too bad, God can't save me" because God already "took out" the toughest guy.

       Here in Philippians, Paul takes a different strategy, he says he was the best guy and God took him out. Was he contradicting himself? No, he was just evaluating his life through two grids - works and grace. As far as works go, he was the best. As far as by faith receiving the grace Jesus offered, he was the worst and this illustrates the two things we need to get saved from - our goodness and our badness.

      A "good" person is probably more resistant to the gospel than a "bad" person because when they compare themselves to everyone around them, they seem pretty righteous. They might say as I've heard before, "If I'm going to hell then it's going to be pretty crowded." Paul was that guy and it made him hate the teachings of Jesus that good deeds don't count for anything. Of course, there was a guy named Cornelius whose deeds did count for something - they counted for a visit from Peter who told him his good deeds don't count for anything and being humbler than Paul accepted the gospel with gratitude and didn't need blinding and a rebuke from Jesus to accept. All our good deeds are like filthy rags, the Bible says. It's like stepping on the gas to get there quicker when you are headed in the wrong direction.

    A "bad" person realizes they are a sinner and is more open to the gospel. That's why prison ministries are so successful. That's why AA introduces people to a higher power with success. That's why people at their lowest points in life, like the Philippian jailor about to kill himself says, "What must I do to be saved?" When Paul realized all his "goodness" was driving him away from God at 100MPH, he sat alone in the dark for several days lamenting and rethinking his whole world view. The conclusion was our deeds can't save us; we are all sinners separated from God. His deeds save us. Receive in humility by faith His free gift of salvation and let His Holy Spirit in you produce the works that God desires for His glory.

Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 5

  But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me. Phil. 2:25-30

       I was in Honduras, doing OB/GYN stuff with World Medical Mission, and I met a guy who was a handyman who was sent from and supported by a church back in the states. He and his wife, in their 50's, felt a calling from the Lord to go help this Hospital/medical compound in Honduras. She was good at computers and office work so helped with the charting and business end of a mission hospital. They weren't involved in the evangelism and were very weak in Spanish - they just helped make it possible for those called and gifted in those fields to function.

     This is like Epaphroditus who was sent from the church in Philippi to assist Paul. Paul refers to him as brother, fellow soldier, co-worker, messenger who met Paul's needs in a way that the church couldn't. We know Paul had problems with an eye disease so maybe he had some medical skills. We know that Paul, maybe because of his vision, wrote very large so maybe Epaphroditus did some writing for Paul who wrote three epistles while in this prison. The fact is, he assisted Paul in ways not everyone could and probably delivered this epistle back to the church as he convalesced back home. He was a vital part of the mission effort of Paul yet probably never led anyone to the Lord and I doubt my handyman friend in Honduras never did either.

     What does Paul think of non-evangelistic helpers on mission trips? Worthy of honor for one. Even in our churches, I'm pretty sure the deacons and elders and pastors get more honor than the secretaries, accountants, nursery staff, and information technicians. Paul actually goes on to say that if he died because of his illness - not from stoning, shipwrecks, starvation, beating, flogging, crucifixion, beheading but illness - that he would have died for the sake of the gospel even though he probably never even spoke publicly.

     So, what does this tell us? First that spreading the gospel is imperative and we should be using our abilities and gifts to make that happen both in our locale and also around the world. Second, if you are feeling a call to go outside your locale, chances are your abilities can be used, and they don't have to be speaking gifts. Third, if you don't go, we need to be praying for and supporting missionaries giving help in ways that we can. Lastly, and this is kind of heavy, we tend to divide life into two categories - sacred and secular. If we are all in for Christ, we are in "full time Christian service" whether we work for a church or at Wal-Mart. We are doing the work of an evangelist or missionary everywhere we go. Therefore, if someone works in construction building a new hotel in Pigeon Forge, TN, and they are being Christ to that team, witnessing, loving, serving, sharing - and they died in a crane accident, I'd say they died for the sake of the gospel.

     Epaphroditus and hopefully me are in "fulltime Christian service". Are you?

Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 4

  I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. Phil. 2:19-24

          Paul met Timothy at the beginning of his second mission trip prior to the famous Paul and Silas imprisonment and earthquake in Phillipi, the church that he is several years later writing to while being imprisoned again. Paul saw in Timothy a worthy apprentice who was like a son to him, that he trusted to lead churches and be his voice for the gospel to encourage and teach the believers in cities he had passed through. When the great commission commanded going into all the world and make disciples, not just believers, Timothy was the "discpler". Sure, when Paul was able, he spent a good deal of time in cities discipling. I think it was Ephesus where he even set up a school and stayed several years. But quite often, like in Phillipi, he left fairly soon and was unable to teach. Remember, he couldn't just leave them with a Bible, they didn't have those yet.

        What made Timothy so special? First of all, he served. He didn't desire the spotlight but let Paul do the preaching. Just the fact that Paul and Silas were arrested and not him in Phillipi in Acts 16 implies that he was in the background serving and even in Paul's letters to him, Paul encourages Timothy to not be timid. Beware of teenage preachers. I've never seen any "pan out". They can't handle the spotlight and kudos to Timothy for not wanting it.

       Second, he had Godly upbringing. He was steeped in the Word from childhood and well grounded. I'm worn out watching 11 grandchildren. Everyone always says, "Grandchildren are great. You play with them, spoil them, then send them home." My wife didn't get that memo - she wants to keep them! The good thing about that is that we get to Biblically disciple them. Just this week my second son, who is a family pastor at a church, got to baptize several people. My third son led devotions at his kids' Christian school playing guitar and sharing a message that when he recounted it with me, incorporated passages from throughout the Bible and was great! What a blessing! I give my wife 70% of the credit, maybe 65%. haha

       Lastly, an overlooked passage in scripture that we should all memorize, " For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ." Phil. 2:21 What a telling verse! Paul doesn't qualify it and say, "I'm just talking about unbelievers here." No, he has seen enough believers by now and says, unlike Timothy, everyone still puts themselves as number one priority, it's our default mode. We have to work on that! This is what set Timothy apart - somehow he had managed to succeed in the area that Paul mentioned earlier in the chapter, "Consider others as more important than yourselves." I haven't succeeded at that, have you?

        Let's be Timothys. Let's raise Timothys.

Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 3

 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. Phil. 2:12-18

         I remember when John Piper ruffled some feathers when he criticized the popular worship song "What a Beautiful Name" because of the line, "You didn't want Heaven without us". He said that it was man centered theology suggesting that God was incomplete or needed humanity. Personally, I love that song and don't think it implies that at all, but I do agree with him that we do misunderstand the grand scope of things in modern day Christianity and specifically in evangelism and sharing the gospel. When we share the gospel, the emphasis is on reconciling a broken relationship with God caused by sin and remedied by the cross of Jesus appropriated to us by faith. I usually end with we get to go to Heaven, but I miss the whole plan for us on Earth. Why doesn't God whisk us away right after salvation? This passage focuses on our brief time here and what we are to do once we are saved.

       Before we even get to that, we have to examine our motivation and attitudes. Are we complaining and arguing? "Do I have to go to that?" "Why can't we just stay home and relax?" "They have enough helpers, they don't need me." Or we go, and so and so isn't there and we are disgusted with them. Paul says that it is God who works in you to will to act and enable action. If you are grumbling and complaining, you have to check your love for God and your yielding to the Spirit inside you.

       So what is His good purpose for us? That we might become blameless and pure Children of His that shine in a dark world. Do you stick out? When you enter a room of non-believers, do you bring Christ into it or leave Him outside. Occasionally I run into people, and I can see in their eyes or countenance that they are Children of God. There is a resident in Memphis I knew immediately when I met her that she is a Christian. There is a new graduate student that I met that I will ask next time. Don't be afraid to ask people. If you're wrong, at least you have started a faith conversation. And don't get discouraged that the world is getting so evil. It will only magnify your brightness!

      I want to glow, don't you? Moses glowed from spending time in God's presence so much so that he had to wear a veil around people. May that be us!

Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 2

 Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father  Phil. 2:6-11

          I've been visited by Jehovah Witnesses before, There were 3 of them the last time, two younger apprentices and one older who was there for support and to defend for the faith. She was obviously more trained. On a side note, just saw Michael and at one point his mom encourages him with a line about Jehovah. Anyway, their argument is that Jesus isn't God and to treat him as such, i.e. worship, pray to, etc. is offensive to Jehovah who is the one true God. In other words to pray in the name of Jesus. They also don't believe in hell, so it eventually ended with, "If I'm wrong, I will cease to exist. If you are wrong, you will spend eternity in hell. You better be sure you're right." They never came back.

           Paul says in these verses, and it's probably a creed that the early church quoted because of the way it's written, the following about Jesus;

   1. "Christ" isn't Jesus first name. He's called "Christ" because He was the Messiah

   2. His very nature was God and by right had equality that He chose not to grasp

   3. God exalted Him above all others

   4. Every knee in Heaven and Earth shall bow to Him (so much for not worshipping Him)

   5. This worship doesn't bother Jehovah but pleases Him and gives Him glory

           Every cult and false religion has a wrong view of Jesus often because they refuse to acknowledge the trinity because it doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense to me either because my mind is limited. I'm glad that the God I worship is bigger than my comprehension. The Bible teaches it, so either I can choose to reinterpret the Bible to say what it doesn't to satisfy my understanding, or I can choose to submit to its authority and say someday I will understand it when God expands my brain.

       Jesus is God! I worship Him because He saved me. What about you?

Thoughts From Philippians 2 - Part 1

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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus Phil.2:1-5

        I've visited a few churches lately that aren't my home church while visiting grandchildren and working out of town. My conclusion - I wouldn't attend any of them, well, maybe one. But they all come highly recommended by my kids and residents. What do they see in them that I don't? The preaching was mediocre, the worship was unspectacular, and you know what, when they visit my church, they probably think the same thing. What is it about our churches that cause us to defend them as vigorously as our favorite singer or pizza? I'm convinced it is the body or the real meaning of "church". I love meeting with my small group who has borne my burdens and vice-versa. I root for my pastor who is a dear friend and I know would do anything for me and works like a dog for our body despite detractors. I worship along with my worship leader who I've known since high school and seen the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in his life. When I visit churches, I don't get any of that.

          Paul is telling us this same thing in Chapter 2 that the Christian life wasn't meant to be lived as a visitor to a church. It's meant to be lived like a person with a new family. Paul says that being united with fellow believers causes encouragement to happen. Who doesn't need to be encouraged? In context, in the previous chapter, not only does Paul mention his imprisonment, but he talks about the church being persecuted. Are you depressed or discouraged? The best thing you can do is find a small group or Bible study meeting, even today, and go. There, he says you will find comfort, compassion, sharing of your burdens, joy, tenderness and love because ideally Christians are treating one another as more important than themselves following the humble example of Christ through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.

        Are you just attending a church, or do you belong to a church? This is why churches stress becoming members even though membership is not mentioned in the Bible. Membership stresses belonging, which is what it means to be "the church". If you are just attending, chances are you will be disappointed and keep church (s)hopping. If you are jumping in with both feet, you will be wearing a shirt that says, "I Love My Church."

Thoughts From Philippians 1 - Part 5

  I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel  Phil. 1:25-27

                 Well, it happened again this week. While I'm semiretired working 400 miles from home 9 consecutive nights a month, I've gotten two desperate texts from my wife - one was a picture of a dead mouse caught in a trap that she would now need to dispose of and today the grandkids are visiting and the pool heater isn't working! Last time, she had a flashing engine light which required immediate attention and I had to call a mechanic and rental car company within an hour of closing and arrange that. Fortunately, I was home last month when her battery went dead and a pipe that froze during the winter burst soaking the floor, but the month before when I wasn't there, she got a flat tire. I know - first world problems, right?

            It makes me reassess why at 70 and financially secure I'm still working. When I ponder that, the only good answer is that this is my mission field. God has sent me to show Christ and share the gospel to 35 residents and 10 attendings and rotating medical students and 30 labor and delivery nurses and aides at the University teaching hospital. I've got to be about that mission otherwise the stress my wife endures (believe me, she'd be stressed even if I was home but less) and the disruption of normal life is not worth it.

       Paul, who has had a very difficult life since salvation, knew why he was doing what he was doing. First, it was so that those who were believers would make progress in their faith. I think of two residents who have fallen in love and now one is leading Bible studies at the local Christian Medical Society chapter, and they go to church together whenever they are off. I think of an attending who is taking her family to Indonesia to be a missionary doctor who I will be financially supporting. I think of one resident whose husband is a youth pastor at a local church. I'm seeing them all progressing in their faith and maybe my presence has played a small part. Secondly, like Paul, maybe I'm encouraging them to be joyful in a difficult four years that would want to steal their joy. Thirdly, like Paul, maybe they are being more vocal about their faith because of me. Fourthly, like Paul, maybe their lifestyle is becoming more exemplary of Christ because of my example. And lastly, like Paul, maybe they are bonding as believers together in the program finding strength and encouragement because of my boldness. To take credit for any of this may be reaching, but I can only hope that my presence has been a fan on the flame.

        But this is just the few believers I have found - most are unbelievers. Don't get me wrong, they are awesome people, some of whom I connect with better than believers. I enjoy them all. But my goal isn't to get them to like me and make them better doctors and then 50 years from now enter an eternity separated from God or live the next 50 years in an empty, hopeless, self-centered existence not experiencing the abundant life they can have on Earth found in surrender to Christ. The reason I am here is to introduce them to Christ. This is why I drive 6 hours each way, stay in a motel, am bored to tears some days and subject my wife to taking care of "disasters" on her own. I must say, my first 7 days here this month haven't been too fruitful, but I have 2 days left. I pray that Christ will be glorified in me today and tomorrow!

Thoughts From Philippians 1 - Part 4

  for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain ...without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Phil. 1:19-25,28-30

       A lot of people go on Holy Land tours and maybe someday we will, too. To be baptized in the Jordan like Jesus, to boat on the Sea of Galilee like the disciples, to sit where Jesus fed the 5000 and where He preached the sermon on the mount, to view Golgotha or even to venture into Greece and trace Paul's travels are moving experiences, or so they say. I've got an idea that's cheaper and safer, however. I get the opportunity to hold in my hands on a daily basis, the same words that Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Richard Wurmbrand, Corrie ten Boom, John Bunyan, and Martin Luther held in their hands - the Bible.

     What do these names have in common - they were, like Paul writing to Phillippi, in prison for their faith. Like the 23 South Korean missionaries held hostage in 2007 by the Taliban, 2 of which were executed, or Mehran Shamloui sentenced 10 years in 2025 for house churching, Narges Nasri 16 years in 2025 for Christian activities, Abbas Soori 15 years in 2025 for house churching, Zahra Gholami and Hossein Mohammedi 2 years for "Christian activities", and Hakop Gochumyan 10 years in 2024 for deviant proselytizing, I picture them reading the same words I held in my hands today, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Like Paul, they would be praying that they wouldn't be put to shame but would stand strong in the face of torture, death, suffering, starvation, loneliness and not back down. Even John the Baptist had doubts in the face of this so how could "lesser men" hope to stand strong? That's probably what those prisoners are now praying.

        These same words that I hold in my hands would encourage them that this life is a vapor and soon Heaven awaits so even if they die, that's actually better than life on Earth so it is win win for Christians. And this is not to mention the everyday Christians who are undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, colostomies for cancer or fatal diseases. You don't have to be in prison to find comfort from the same words that in our day comforted Nabeel Quershi and Tim Keller as they changed locations due to cancer.

      So maybe I'll walk the same ground that Jesus walked on in Israel, but for now I'm more than content to read the same words that the saints who have gone on before me have read.