Sunday, May 25, 2014

Philippians 2:1-11

Humility is something we as humans do well.  "Find Gary Busey."  "It's my money and i want it now!"  From childhood we have developed this innate sense of selfishness and entitlement.  This week my wife and i had a huge fight and I'm stubborn, stupid and selfish and i don't like it.  When i am angry i deserve to have someone slap the taste out of my mouth.  These scriptures we're looking at are sectioned as having the attitude of Christ.  I don't always have that and like you i need help.  There's a wrestling move called the Attitude Adjustment and we need that performed on us from time to time, because as humans our thoughts aren't right.  

1-2.  "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?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose."  For those reading at home all the questions asked above have the same answer a resounding YES!  The last half of this can be seen at small churches.  This past Sunday Marion and i went to visit my family and went to Lakeview Baptist church where my dad pastors.  Each 3rd Sunday this small church has dinner on the grounds.  If you want to see a living example of wholehearted agreement, love for one another, and working togetherthese people display it at their meals.  Another good example of this is seen by going to Real Life Corpus and meeting the veritable army of volunteers.  Visit them at team time and you find a group of people that have one desire to bring others closer to God using media, singing , child care, teaching, the info desk and greeting.  
 3.  "Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  So opposite of our "Me" centered ways.  
4.  "Don't look out only for your own interest, but take an interest in others, too."  Speaking as a husband this can sometimes be the hardest thing to do.  I love my wife dearly and i have to put her needs above my own.  I don't always get it right.  
5.  "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."  What attitude was that you ask.  Now pay attention I'm getting to that part.  
6.  "Though he was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to."  Wow
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.  He gave up all of Heaven's glory to be one of us and we have the audacity to think we're something special.
8.  "He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross."  Jesus chose the cross.  I read this in In Touch magazine this week.  "The Cross--in so many ways history's darkest moment--took place because Jesus was pursuing the joy of redeeming mankind.  Jesus traded in short-term intense suffering for long-term intense happiness."   Jesus did all this to have a real and personal love relationship with you and me.  
9.  "Therefore,  God elevated him to the place of highest honor.  And gave him the name above all other names."   Christ was humble even unto death and God repaid this humility by exalting him.  
10.  "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in Heaven and onearth and under the earth,"  There's nobody left out you will bow.  
11.  "And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father."  

At Real Life Pastor Micah constantly reminds us "100 yrs from now all that matters is where someone is at in their relationship with Jesus."  

When my head tends to get too big for me i need a reminder of exactly what i am and these 2 songs I'm posting first will remind us of that.  

Clay and Water by Margaret Becker 


 We are not as strong as we think we are by Rich Mullins Rich Mullins - We Are Not As Strong As We Think We Are (Wheaton College 1997)


Let these next songs humble you before God and bring you to the throne  

He is Lord by Mercy Me "He Is Lord" MercyMe


No other Name by Sandy Patti Sandi Patty No Other Name But Jesus 


None but Jesus by Hillsong United Hillsong United - None But Jesus Acoustic


You are my King by Newsboys Amazing Love - News Boys


Amazing Grace my chains are gone By Chris Tomlin  Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

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Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Philippians 1:20-26

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."  That my friends is confidence.  Paul is sure and determined he will not be ashamed of Christ and Whether he lives or dies his life will honor God.  Do any of us live with that much confidence?
21.  "For to me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better."  Does living for you mean living for Christ or only for yourself?  It's a question we all need to ask ourselves.
22.  "But if i live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really want to know which is better."  Do i live and push more people to God or do i die and go home to be with him?
23.  "I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which will be better for me."  Think about that for a minute.  It's easy to read the bible sometimes and not get the human element because it's happened in the past.  Here's a guy named Paul who through the book of Acts has been stoned, beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, falsely accused, snake bit and much more.  He spent 99% of his time in chains.  He must have longed more than most humans to be home in Heaven.  Think of all the aches and pains he felt each day and then the next verse is his conclusion.  
24.  "But for your sakes, it is better that i continue to live.  Think about it God allows you and i to continue to live so we can point others to Him.  Each night i pray asking God to make my wife and i reflections of him.  I don't want our marriage to be just about Zac and Marion i want to have our lives point others to God.  
25.  "Knowing this i am convinced that i will remain alive so i can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith."  Paul was spared death so many times by God so he could reach more people.  
26.  "And when i come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus, because of what he is doing thru me."  Last Sunday Pastor Micah was listing story after story of how God is working in people's lives in our church i can tell you i was in tears.  For a short time i took pride in what God was doing thru his people.  These were things only God can do and he deserves the glory.  

Not Ashamed by the Newsboys Im not ashamed (NewsBoys)


Not Ashamed by Jeremy Camp "Not Ashamed" by Jeremy Camp w/lyrics 


Paul discovered what this song speaks of.  All i need is you by Adie All I Need Is You Lord From: Adie


Life to me by Zoe Girl Final Fantasy VIII AMV "Life to me"


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Sunday, May 4, 2014

Philippians 1:9-11

Can i just say that i am loving studying the book of Philippians and i hope you are learning from it as well.  Chapter 1 alone has been amazing to me.  I often hear a lot of people say "I want to know God's will for my life."  God has not made it as difficult as people think.  Look at Jesus disciples for a simple command he gave to each of them.  "Follow me!"  We just went thru a series at church called What Matters Most.  Paul is about to explain in these passages.  By the end of this Bible study I hope you resound the words of the song by Sidewalk Prophets.  "I want to live like that and give it all i have so that everything i say and do points to you.  If love is who i am then this is where I'll stand recklessly abandoned never holding back."  

9.  "I pray that your love will overflow more and more and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.  If your love is not growing and your knowledge and understanding of God isn't either it's time to consult the Great Physician about a change in your heart and mind.  
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."  There's that phrase again of what matters most.  Now I'm no rocket scientist but i think this is important.  It's like the wise old rooster Foghorn Leghorn appearing in your head when you read that phrase "what matters most."  He just showed up and said "Now pay attention when I'm talking to you boy I'm not talking just to hear my head roar."  God wants you and i to live pure and blameless lives.  That's his will for us it's not complicated.  
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."  What's the fruit of your salvation you ask.  Galatians 5:22-23 has that answer.  "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.  There is no law against these things."  
   Do you want to know God's will for your life?  He wants you to overflow with love be pure and blameless, grow in knowledge and understanding of him.  Do you know why you exist?  An old theologian put it simply and profoundly.  "The chief end of man is to glorify God in your mortal body."  

Live like that by Sidewalk Prophets K-LOVE - Sidewalk Prophets "Live Like That" LIVE 



 Shine by Newsboys SHINE newsboys with lyrics


This song is here also because this week i introduced Marion to the music of Cheri Keaggy 
What Matters most by Cheri Keaggy Cheri Keaggy What Matters Most


What would Jesus do by Big Tent Revival 


Heart's cry by Steven Curtis Chapman Steven Curtis Chapman - Heart's Cry


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