The Daily Dose

Relationships

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; Colossians 1:3&4

Recently, someone I was once close to passed on from this life.  On hearing about their passing, I was reminded that the quality of my life consists in the extent of my relationships.  What impact am I making on the lives of others?  Does it matter to anyone else in the world that I exist?  Am I the kind of person that is interested in continuously making new connections with people to make a difference in what they are going through right now?  Or do I just keep to my own little circle minding my own business and never reach out to others?

In today’s scripture, Paul, once again, talks about giving thanks and praying for the Colossian Christians.  Even though he wasn’t with them personally, he impacted their lives by remembering to pray for them, thanking God for them and reaching out to them by sending messages of encouragement.  Paul made a great impact on the world because of his calling to start churches in cities everywhere he went, but he didn’t stop there.  Even after he moved on to the next city, he maintained his relationships through praying and communication.  Paul’s life not only mattered to the work God was doing in the world, it mattered to the people he reached along the way.  I would go as far as saying, the work God had for him to do was to connect and love people, just the way Jesus did.  Paul’s mission wasn’t to merely set up churches like starting a business from town to town.  His assignment was to start relationships, not only connect people to God through Jesus, but to stay connected with them as he discipled them through his example and loving them.

What about us today?  Is our purpose any different that Paul’s?  Sure, we may not all be out there starting new church meeting places and groups that meet, but we are adding to the church body as a whole.  Our assignment is to make disciples and we do that by connecting with and loving on people that are in our everyday lives.  Then when relationship end or pass, it is just another opportunity for God to share His great grace with you.  When you are weak, He is strong! (2 Cor. 12:10)

Today I want to encourage you to think about the impact you are making on the world around you?  Are you praying for others every day?  Do you think about how you can make more of a difference in your world?  Ask your Heavenly Father today to lead you to those you can pray for and encourage, then be ready to listen to that soft prompting on the inside when He does bring someone close.  Decide today that you are going to make a lasting impression on the lives of others and then connect with people because you want to share the love of God with them in the way you love and care for them.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 1:3-8

God’s Grace

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2

God’s grace!  I’ve written about it many times in the past.  God’s grace gives us Salvation, empowerment and ablitlity just to name a few of its benefits, but did you ever consider where grace truly comes from?  Well, God of course, but it is actually God’s very own grace.  The same grace that is on God, our Heavenly Father, He extends to those of us that He calls His own people.  Think about it . . . . the same grace that was on God to create Heaven, the universe, our world, people and all physical things, He shares with us.  Grace is not something we can gain on our own, it is not something that originated with people and it is not something the enemy has to offer.  Grace is all from God!  When you see gifts and talents on a person’s life, they’re there because of God’s grace.

Now here is more good news about grace, according to today’s scripture, we can give grace to others.  Certainly, it is within our ability to be gracious to others when they fall short or need a helping hand, but in the verse today, Paul actually prays God’s grace on the Colossian Christians.  Let’s consider what that does.  Praying God’s grace on others can bring them peace, goodness and empowerment.  God’s grace brings ability, strength and energy.  God’s grace gives whatever a person needs at the time we pray for them.  Praying God’s grace on others is actually the greatest prayer you can pray for someone because through grace salvation is obtained and every other need is satisfied.  2 Corinthians 9:8 says it this way: When God gives all His grace to you, there is abundantly enough for you to have everything you need, when ever you need it and to the extent that it surpasses the need. (my paraphrase) God’s grace is the very thing that we need to complete every good work that He has laid out before us to accomplish.  Simply put: God’s grace is His unending supply of His presence!

Today I want to encourage you to pray for God’s grace on your life.  Confess to Him that you know you cannot complete the things He has for you to do without His grace, then let Him know how much you enjoy having that grace on your life for whatever the need or task is.  Thank Him for sharing His very own grace and empowerment with you and then ask Him to lead you to the things that He planned for His grace to accomplish through you.  Now pray for God to share His grace with other you know that may be in need right now.  Whether its sickness, emotional pain, financial need or problems in a relationship God’s grace is the very thing that can take care of it.  Wrap your life in God’s grace today and then share it with others through your prayers everywhere you go.

Today’s scripture reading: Colossians 1:1-3

Pray first

May every one of you overflow with the grace and favor of our Lord Jesus Christ!  Philippians 4:23

Yesterday I talked about bringing others along.  Bringing others along with you in ministry, in life and in the kingdom of Heaven.  I know that is easier to say than do sometimes.  It isn’t always the easiest thing to walk up to someone and start talking to them about your Savior Jesus and quite frankly, will probably repel some people rather than bring them closer.  Still, the reason we are here in the world is to be God’s witness.  However, the way to be the most effective is to get wisdom first.

I titled today’s dose “Pray first” mainly because that is where wisdom comes from, but also because that is where we prepare ground.  What am I talking about preparing ground?  The ground of the heart.  In Mark chapter 4, the parable of the sower says there are different types of ground that seed (the Word) is planted in.  When we begin with prayer, that ground can be prepared ahead of time to receive that seed of the Word, God’s love or testimony of God’s goodness…whatever the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart that will be the most effective at the time.  Praying first is doing ground work before you start the planting.  Sometimes we get so caught up in knowing what we are supposed to do that we forget to consult the Holy Spirit for wisdom and direction.  Here’s the thing, the Holy Spirit knows the heart of people and He gives exactly the right words for you to say that will reach that person at the time.  The thing is, it doesn’t matter how much you know, it matters how much or what the other person can receive.

Today’s verse is a blessing from Paul to all the believers at Philippi, but it is also a blessing for all believers everywhere.  It says we can all have God’s grace and favor to the point that it overflows.  That implies that we can become so full of that grace and favor that they are pouring out of us continually.  Anyone who comes around and gets near us is bound to get some of this overflowing grace and favor on them.  In the same way, if you spend time with God and take time to be in His presence,  you cannot stop His grace from getting on you.  Of course, that starts with prayer.  Setting special time aside each day to seek Him out. 

Today I want to encourage you to pray first.  Pray for wisdom to speak to others, pray for the Holy Spirit’s leading and prompting at just the right time.  Pray for the hearts of those you will encounter today to be ready to receive the seed of God’s Word and Salvation.  Then be listening and ready when you get a nudging or knowing in your heart that it’s time to act and take the step of faith to obey that prompting,  Break up the fallow ground all around you today by praying first.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4

Bring others along

All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household. Philippians 4:22

I’m not sure at what point in Paul’s life that he wrote the letter to the church in Philippi, but according to his closing comments here, he was living in Caesar’s house, or at least he was well acquainted with those who lived there.  That’s pretty awesome!  Paul was in prison and going to trial before Caesar and on the way there, he ended up living there.  The really interesting part is that he was so close to them that he sends a greeting to the churches from the entire household.  Like they were all part of his team. In other passages, Paul talks about some of the palace guard being converted to Christianity. (see Phil 1:13)  It was pretty evident that not many that were around Paul didn’t hear the gospel.  Even those who didn’t meet him personally knew that he was being tried because of his faith in Jesus.

The point is that Paul always brought others along with him. Every where he went and every place he was, he was always inviting others into the Kingdom of Heaven.  He was determined to let others just hang out so that they could hear more about the gospel and see the power of the Holy Spirit at work.  At the very least, he left people with a lasting impression that made them talk about his predicament even when he wasn’t around.  Paul was a man of passion and purpose and he channeled that energy to draw all people to Jesus.

What about us today?  Sure, probably none of us have a world-wide call on our lives like Paul did, but how are we influencing our little world.   I’m talking about our little part of the world that we live in.  What do others know about us and what are they saying after we leave a conversation.  Do we leave them thinking about the One who loves and died for them?  Do we leave them with a feeling of hope for the future?  Or do we leave them feeling like they do at the end of every other interaction?  What makes us different from the rest of the world is our relationship with Jesus and the way we bring others along with us to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to bring others along with you.  Some places to start are in our neighborhoods, workplace and family gatherings.  Be gentle, loving and kind to those around you not argumentative and determined to be right.  Let others know you have hope for the future not fear.  You can even offer to pray with others for whatever crisis they are currently in.  Prayer is widely received by most people and can be an open door to lead others to the One who wants to bring them along for eternity.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:21-23

Great Glory

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Today’s verse is probably one of the most commonly used verses in all of scripture when it comes to finances.  This is a verse that most Christians will take ahold of when funds are tight.  They will cling to the promise that God will supply every need they have even when every dime is completely spent.  Thank goodness God is so faithful and always comes through when we get into a bind, but that is not exactly what the message of the text is saying.

As was discussed earlier this week, Paul was commending and thanking the church at Philippi for the support they had sent for the work of the LORD that Paul’s team was doing.  In this same passage he even goes as far to say that none of the other churches he planted, visited and wrote letters to had sent anything to help them along in their travels.  Paul did not ask for them to send him this blessing. In fact he tells the Philippian people that his excitement in getting the gift from them was not about how it provided for his team, but rather about the abundant reward and blessing that they would receive because of their generosity (verse 17). 

This promise in verse 19 is a special blessing and promise for the people of Philippi.  Paul told them that because they were faithful to support God’s mission, He (God) would supply or take care of all their needs.  Not just in a little way, but according to God’s riches in glory!  That’s a lot!  This church was blessed not because of their great need, it was because of their great giving!

Today is Thanksgiving, and we are so thankful for the provision that our Heavenly Father always gives.  Thankfully, He does give when we have needs and supplies when we have lack.  However, God’s greatest gifts and blessings come to us as we give and bless others.  Nothing moves the hand and heart of God quicker then when we have a sincerely generous heart.  When we know that God’s goodness flow through us to others and we don’t worry about the supply running out because my God supplies all your needs in agreement with His rich and great glory.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:14- 20

Contentment

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.  Philippians 4:11

Have you ever struggled trying to gain contentment?  It seems like I am always after the next great accomplishment or latest convenience hoping to find real contentment.  Maybe if I get the “just released” smart phone, or the new luxury vehicle?  I finally realized that it doesn’t matter what it is, things and goals will never bring contentment.  Oh, maybe I will have a sense of satisfaction for a while, but it is just a fleeting feeling.  The truth is contentment isn’t a feeling that can be satisfied by something, someone or some achievement.  Contentment is a state of being.  It is a posture of peace that can only be attained by putting your trust in your Heavenly Father.

In today’s scripture, Paul talks about contentment.  He says that he has learn that no matter what the circumstances are, he is at rest knowing that God is leading him and providing all his need.  Paul said that he knows lack and he knows abundance, but what he focuses on is that he can do anything through the power of Christ Jesus who strengthens him for every situation.  I like the way this verse is worded in The Passion Translation, because it says:  “For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming all things, whether in fullness or in hunger. And I find that the strength of Christ’s explosive power infuses me to conquer every difficulty.”  Wow!  That’s a good word!  True contentment doesn’t come from the security of finances, it doesn’t come from the promise of no trouble ahead and it doesn’t come from taking a sigh of relief at the end of a great battle.  True contentment is only in the one who hold your life and future in His hands and trusting Him to take you through whatever is coming up next.

This is good news in our world today.  We are on the verge of something new and unpredictable almost constantly.  Who knows what is coming up next?  The good news is that He does and He also knows that if we trust Him, He will get us through and not just barely.  He will bring us through every struggle, crisis and obstacle to great victory every time.  2 Corinthians 2:14 says: Now thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.  Knowing that God will always give us the victory and trusting Him to get us through no matter what we face is the only way to find complete peace and contentment!

Today I want to encourage you to think about contentment in your life.  Where does yours come from?  Consider the things you have obtained thinking they would fulfill the need inside of you for completeness.  Then think about what Paul said concerning his circumstances for the solution of contentment.  Lastly, keep this promise in your heart: You can do all things through Christ who gives you the strength to do them.  That means, whatever comes your way, His power gives you the strength to get you through to great victory.  That is where your true contentment is.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:10-14

Show your love

My heart overflows with joy when I think of how you showed your love to me by your financial support of my ministry. For even though you have so little, you still continue to help me at every opportunity.  Philippians 4:10

How do you show you love someone?  Is it by showing up when they need a friend?  Maybe by offering to help with a project or duties around the home?  Maybe you run errands or help with childcare?  We all show that we care and love others in various way.  In today’s text, Paul says how happy he was that the Christians in Philippi showed their love for him by supporting the work of God financially.  They gave financial support to God’s work and met the needs of the ministry and that demonstrated love to Paul. 

Their act of giving not only expressed their love for Paul, it was also an expression of love to God!  By supporting the work of Paul’s ministry, they were showing their support for the work of God.  This is why Paul said “his heart overflowed with joy.”  So why did they feel the need to give to Paul?  It wasn’t because of his needing it.  He didn’t ask for their financial gift and not all of the churches supported the ministry.  It was because they had a heart for God and the work that was being done through Paul’s team.  They were so in love with God that they wanted to support the message of the gospel not only with their prayers and hospitality, but also with their finances.

Did you know this is one of the ways we can show our love for God today?  Not only do we show we love God by being obedient to give back the first 10% (the tithe) of all our income, but we can also show our love and appreciation to Him by supporting ministries that are spreading the message of the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus.  There are only a few things in this physical world that God can receive in the spiritual world.  Supporting the work of the ministry is one of the most loving gifts we can give to show how much we love and glorify our Heavenly Father.

Today I want to encourage you to evaluate your love for your Father in Heaven.  Is it a half-hearted “I’m saved so I don’t need to worry about anything else” kind of relationship? Or do you have an intense desire to express your love for your Heavenly Father in a deeper way.  Some of the greatest acts of giving to God involve, loving others, sharing the gospel with the lost, praying with others, giving to God’s work, giving your time to serve in your local church and ministries.  We sometimes get the idea that we need to do these things to be obedient or because of an obligation.  However, the way to become most effective in all you do is to do things just because you want to show your love for God your Father no matter what it cost.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:10-13

Your example

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

What example are you leaving for others?  I like this scripture where the apostle Paul says, “Follow my example and do what I do.”  He was training others so he could duplicate himself.  He wanted those who followed and learned from him to be as effective as he was in ministering to others.  Whether it was preaching the gospel, laying hands on the sick or operating in the other gifts of the Holy Spirit, his interest was not in making converts, rather making disciples.  A disciple is a student or follower of a teacher that is eager to learn how to minister to others.

Today many in the church have become converts.  Meaning they receive Jesus as their Savior, but not their LORD.  The difference is when Jesus is your Savior, He has rescued you from an eternity in separation from your Heavenly Father and the torments of eternal judgement.  It is a good thing for sure and we should rejoice in our salvation daily.  However, when Jesus becomes LORD of your life, He is the one “calling the shots”.  When you have completely surrendered your life and submitted all your desires to Him, He comes in and guides you through life to the things and people God planned for your life since the beginning.  Somewhere along the line, Christian people got the idea that when you receive Jesus as Savior, automatically you are now following His plan and His path for your life.  This just isn’t the case.  It is not until you fully surrender your will to His that He can lead you to the ministries He has planned for you.  When I say ministry, I don’t necessarily mean becoming a Pastor or on the church staff.  Ministry is done where ever you are, but only by submitting fully to the leading of the Holy Spirit will you walk in the fullness of that calling on your life.

We can see many examples of this in scripture.  Jesus Himself had to surrender His will to God the Father.  In the garden the night before he was crucified, He prayed the words “Not my will but Yours be done.”  If Jesus needed to surrender to the plan of God, then how much more do we.  There are also examples in the New Testament of Christians not surrendering to the Holy Spirit and the destruction that followed that.  Ananias and Sapphira were one couple that were believers, but they tried to trick others into believing the sincerity of their heart. Paul talks about Demas, who was part of his ministry team, but left because he was no longer interested in completing the mission.  Clearly, we can see by these cases that it is not an automatic thing to be an example worthy of following.

How about you, what kind of example are you to those around you?  What things are you doing for the Kingdom of God that you believe other should follow.  What activities do you pray those who look at your life will duplicate to expand God’s reach?

Today I want to encourage you to take a good look at your life.  First of all, ask yourself, “Whose example am I following?”  Is it your Pastor, is it the apostle Paul, is it Jesus or is it your favorite actor, boss or politician?  Then ask yourself “What example am I setting for those around me?  What do others see that inspire them to follow whole heartedly after the things God has planned for them?”  Is it serving in your church or community?  Is it praying for the sick? What about blessing those who are down?  Or is yours an example of how much time you spend on social media, watching tv or playing games on your devices?  Now decide that you are going to be someone whose example others will want to follow because of the way you impact others and your world.  You can follow Paul’s example or go right to the source by seeking help from the Holy Spirit inside you.  However, the first place to start is to surrender your life fully to the LORD Jesus and make Him the LORD of your life… not your Savior only.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:1-9

Thanksgiving

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Philippians 4:6

It’s thanksgiving time, a time to focus on what we are thankful for in this year.  It has been a year like none other that I have ever lived.  Maybe it’s the same for you?  It has been a year of colder temperatures, warmer temperatures, pandemic, riots, fires, anger, strife and confusion just to name a few of the “highlights”.  What do we have to be thankful for?

Today’s verse starts out with don’t be anxious. It’s not a suggestions, it is actually a command. Some other words for anxious are: worried, concerned, apprehensive, fearful, uneasy, troubled, disturbed, distressed and afraid.  So this verse starts out by saying “Don’t be anxious, worried, concerned, apprehensive, fearful, uneasy, troubled, disturbed, distressed and afraid!”  This “command” looks impossible in today’s world.  Thankfully, Paul goes on to tell us how we can accomplish it.  He says, in everything, pray first. Then, with a thankful heart, lift up your requests to God your Heavenly Father.  Oh, that’s good news!  My Father is listening and wants to hear and answer my requests.

You may be thinking: “With a year like this, what do I have to be thankful for?”  Here’s the thing…thankfulness is not in our circumstances, it is in our God!  Here is what I am talking about.  The second your heart starts to become afraid, worried or anxious, turn to prayer.  Don’t let those worries and concerns take you deeper into fear and certainly don’t speak them out.  Words will only reinforce those distresses in your heart and mind. Pray!  The verse says prayer and supplication.  That means to intercede in the situation.  When you go to your Heavenly Father with your fear, you can pray: “Father, I am bringing these circumstances right to You.  It doesn’t look good and many around are worried and afraid of what is to come.  I have come to You in the name of Jesus to intercede in this situation.  I bring this concern to you and open the door for you to reach into the circumstances and turn the situation around to bring good results”  Then begin to be thankful!  “I am so thankful LORD that You are bigger than this situation and I know You can handle it!  Thank You for being my Father who cares and takes care of me!  I thank you that you are stronger and more powerful than these issues and your protection reaches around my life and the lives of my loved ones.”  You can thank Him for every promise you read in the bible and thank Him for how much He loves you!  Your thankfulness is in Him, not in your problem.

Lastly, I will repeat verse 7 that promises the peace of God will come after you as you take this step of faith in intercession.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7) That’s how you know He has heard and will answer by the peace that He puts in the place of your anxiety.  Pray, intercede and give thanks to Him and for Him!

Today I want to encourage you in the midst of turmoil and confusion to pray first.  Turn to God immediately with your heart open and willing to trust Him.  Begin to intercede for the things happening in your life and in the world.  Then be thankful to your loving Heavenly Father that wants to get involved and work in our lives every day.  Ultimately, His greatest interest is for us to reach out and bring others to His place of refuge.  He wants us to go tell the rest of the world where to go when they are afraid.  Build up your faith and confidence to the place where you can point others to Him and then teach them to pray and intercede too.  Let’s spend this “Thanksgiving” time being thankful in our Savior, not our current crisis.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:3-7

Become like minded

I implore Euodia and Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Philippians 4:2

I want to go back a couple of verses in chapter 4 of Philippians and talk about a dispute that was taking place in the church at Philippi.  It seems that two ladies were in a conflict and holding on to a grudge with one another.  Paul starts out this chapter begging these two ladies to come into agreement with each other in the LORD.  He tells them to be of the same mind, like minded.  We really don’t know what the argument was about or who was right or wrong. So the facts were not the issue. It was all about them loving one another and coming into agreement in the things of the LORD. Why were these two ladies so important to Paul? We can see the answer in verse 3 as he continues to urge others to help these ladies who labored with him in ministry.  Previously, these ladies had ministered with Paul and obviously blessed him.  The tone of these verses display the pain in Paul’s heart as he hears about their disagreement.  Paul then presents a list of solutions to all disagreements.  He says:

1. Rejoice in the LORD
2. Show gentleness to all
3. Don’t be anxious or worried
4. In everything pray
5. Give thanks and tell your request to God

Lastly in verse 7 it says after you do all these things the peace of God will come and pass up all your understanding and it will guard your heart and mind.  This can only be accomplished through your salvation in Christ Jesus.  Then he goes on to talk about what you should be thinking to avoid having the bitterness of arguments steal your peace like it was stealing the peace of these ladies.  It is the preventative medicine of guarding what thoughts you allow to occupy your mind.

This reminds me of two other ladies in the bible that had a dispute.  Sisters, in fact.  Mary and Martha.  In the book of Luke chapter 10, Jesus was visiting a family in Bethany.  A family of two sisters.  As Jesus taught all those who were there at the time, one sister, Mary, sat at His feet to listen and learn.  Her thoughts were fixed on Him and knowing Him more.  The other sister, Martha, was busy and distracted with making everything perfect for her guest and she was overwhelmed with the work.  Instead of considering that Jesus had previously fed 5000 people with a very small amount of food and could probably handle provision for that day too, her thoughts were fixed on “why wasn’t her sister helping her?”  She allowed this thought to remain until she could no longer contain herself.  She interrupted Jesus’ teaching to tell on her sister and expected that Jesus would reprimand Mary and tell her to help with the serving.  Jesus’ response was “only one thing is needful (important) and Mary has chosen that one thing . . . sitting with Jesus!” Jesus was encouraging Martha to be like minded in the things of the LORD.

What about you, what are you thinking on?  Do you get distracted with the news, fears and the business of those around you?  Do you have ill will toward anyone because they are not doing things the way you think they should be done?  Or worse, are you holding a grudge or bitter resentment against a fellow believer because you disagreed with them in some way?  I beg you to turn that around today.  Ask yourself and the LORD if there is anyone that you are resentful toward then ask Him to forgive and restore that relationship.  Be willing to take any steps he speaks to your heart to heal those relationships.  Lastly, begin to think on and fix your thoughts on things above.  Then the peace of God will fill you and keep you! Live in God’s peace today by keeping your mind and heart fixed on Him. Lastly, encourage others to be like minded!

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 4:1-7