Devotion 10.18.23

Philippians 4

8 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. At this point there is a question that forms on my lips for Paul: How? John Steinbeck's final novel, "Winter of Our Discontent," deals with a man who lost his aristocratic status in the US due to poor decisions by his father, and his family criticizes the middle-class life they now find themselves in . Dad has become a grocery store clerk. to make ends meet, but he hatches a plot to gain his former wealth and status in high society back.

We all find ourselves in similar situations to one level or another. How to gain more in life given my current means. You say, "Well, I am not that way," and I would bet we could find a vulnerability somewhere in which coveting something or envy of another's possession drives the person making the declaration. 

How Paul, how? How do you live in this world having enjoyed the status of a well-educated and respected pharisee and not suffer from being discontented at some level? Paul has apparently disciplined himself to a point of both inwardly and outwardly learned the art of humility, which he attributes to Christ in earlier passages in Philippians. His past life is nothing and being in Christ would complete "my (Paul's) joy being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind." (2:2)

For who sin daily, like me, I also turn to Christ's grace and love and pray for forgiveness when my discontent gets the best of me. When I see a new trailer and start thinking about how it would be better than the one I have, or when my neighbor gets a new car or grill, my eyes and mind shift and I can feel the desire start working within me. More serious examples exist, but hopefully we get the idea of where to turn when it comes to being content...in Christ Jesus.

Paul finishes the section with this blessing for us: "And my God will supply every need of yours according o his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."

Devotion 10.16.23

Philippians 4

8 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. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

In five verses in Philippians, Paul writes several passages worthy of memorization for motivation, reflection, and sharing. Today's is one such gem.

Much in the secular world has been written about "excellence." We searched for it in a book by Tom Peters, "In Search of Excellence," in which we learned that excellence surpasses product and seeps into the organization as a whole. It became a much-used word in leadership and management. Process management became part of the movement to make the "customer experience" positive from considering going to the business, to entry, and the shopping or service aspect of the experience, to the post experience as well. There were and still are today movements dedicated to the "excellence" notion or philosophy.

In this passage, Paul isn't writing to them about the experience of being part of their church in the same way we are talking today. Paul has been talking about our faith in Christ, our role in being "lights to the world," and his desire to help them attain that unless he's called homeward to be with Christ. Paul shifts to talk about our relationship with Christ and with other Christians. As we worship God/Christ and serve others, we are to think about the positive things to build those relationships around. Paul cites a number of ways to describe the "to be" state using "whatever is right, pure, lovely, admirable...excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

When we anticipate going to be in God's presence, this list of words are great reminders of what our posture is "to be" as we prepare for and enter the sanctuary. Instead of focusing on style of dress, selection of music, length of sermon, and other such areas in our church/worship experience, we remind ourselves that if it doesn't fall into the areas of excellence or praiseworthy, it's probably not worth dwelling on. Neither is it in our service to Christ as we serve others joyfully and gladly.

We pray for the right posture as we worship and serve God, a right heart, and a right attitude.

Devotion 10.3.23

1 Peter 2

4 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— 5 you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

What is a "living stone?" A stone is a stone. The best way to describe it is an inanimate object, hard and shape depending on origin and where it lies. A stone in a field, unless shaped by glaciers, is rugged in appearance. A stone in a stream is shaped by time to be smooth. A stone is hard and lifeless.

Some stones are used to build. Some stones are used to mark property, like a stone fence. Some stones are slung to fend off creatures. Unless they are put to use by a human hand though, they are lifeless and will lay where they are until they are moved.

So, again, what is a "living stone?" What are its qualities and how does it "live?"

Over the next few days, our devotions will look at how a stone becomes representative of foundation, as smoothed over and shaped to use in a variety of fashions, and how it is representative of God's Word, as Peter describes Christ, THE living stone.

Pray as you read and prepare for God's Word to be foundational, that we allow it to shape us, and that we use it to make a difference in our lives. If you cannot be at the retreat, your prayer is the same prayer for your life.