The Daily Dose

The Name above all names

“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.” Philippians 2:9

The name of Jesus!  Such a powerful name, in fact, there is no other name higher.  The scripture says that God gave Him a name above (more powerful than) every other name.  Wow!  However, as awesome as that is, there is something even more amazing about the name of Jesus . . . that is our authority to use it.  John 16:23-24 says, “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.  Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Using the name of Jesus can be compared to a marriage covenant.  When a lady marries a man, she takes his name.  Now she has his authority to access all their family resources just as he does because they have been joined in the covenant of marriage.  We are in covenant with God through the blood of Jesus.  It is a new covenant and much better than the old one.  In the new covenant we have access to God Himself through the name of Jesus.  We don’t have to go through the priest system like the people of the old covenant did.  He gives us the access to everything we need through the name of Jesus, His son.  This is the reason that we pray in Jesus’ name, because He said, “whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.”

It’s the same name that Peter used when Jesus healed the lame man through him at the gate Beautiful.  He said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” (Acts 3:6)  It’s the same name the seventy used when Jesus sent them out.  They said, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” (Luke 10:17)

My point in saying all this is that everything that has a name in this world is subject to the name of Jesus and in His name all other “names” can be overcome.  We can use the name over anything the enemy would throw our way.  It is an override that we are permitted to use over any circumstance, any problem, any worry, and any diagnosis that doesn’t line up with God’s original plan for His people.  In the name of Jesus, worry, anxiety, and fear must leave.  In the name of Jesus loneliness, bitterness, and anger has to get out.  In the name of Jesus, depression, discouragement, and lack cannot exist and in the name of Jesus sickness and disease must bow its knee.

Yes, we are in the world and these things do come at us, but glory to God, we do not have to let them overcome us!  We can overcome them with the power and authority of the all eternal name of Jesus and according to Philippians 2:11 it’s one of the ways we give glory to God! That is a great gift: Our Heavenly Father gives us the the power and authority to use His Son’s name and when we do, it makes Him very pleased!

Today I want to encourage you to take a close look at your life’s circumstances.  Are there any “names” that are trying to take you out?  Do you feel like you are stuck with a diagnosis or limitation of some kind?  Take authority over the situation with the name that is above every name.  Call that limitation by name and say it must leave now in Jesus’ Holy name!  Now that’s fighting the good fight of faith!! (1 Timothy 6:12)

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

Be like-minded

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.”  Philippians 2:5-7

Today’s scripture again starts out with the understood subject you, indicating that this is something you must do on purpose.  It doesn’t just automatically happen.  So here we see that you are to allow the mind set of Christ Jesus to exist inside you.  That is the mindset of a servant.  This passage says He humbled Himself and became obedient even to dying on the cross.  He didn’t come into the world as God, He came as man and not royalty, but a servant.  Some translations even say slave.  Jesus demonstrated this servant mindset continuously in His day to day life.  Every day, He walked out God’s agenda, not His own.  Imagine, getting up each morning and going before your heavenly Father and asking, what’s my assignment for today?  You don’t even consider the list of things that you have already planned for the day.  Is this even possible?  With all the plans and commitments we have each day, do we even have time to consider what God needs to get done today? 

I guess the first place to start when considering this would be, is God’s agenda important?  Does it really matter if I get the plan from Him each day?  Or, am I automatically doing His work just because I am His child?  Well, today’s passage says Jesus had to humble Himself.  God didn’t do it for Him or else He would not be the loving Father of choice and free will.  He gave us the ability to choose what we will do with this life.  He does not force it on us and the only way His plan is enforced is if we walk it out step by step, day by day.  If Jesus had to submit and consult with God daily, how much more do we need to?  Think about it, all through the scripture God’s plan was carried out by individuals who submitted to the plan and obeyed the direction God gave.

This is a struggle for me.  As much as I think about this and desire it, I still find that I fill my days up with mostly my agenda.  I know that God is so gracious and loves me in spite of this, but I would like my love for Him and His plans to dominate my everyday life.  How do I get there?  So, I have resolved to be a servant to all, just like my LORD Jesus and even though I don’t get it perfect, the grace of God covers my lack.  Glory to God!!

Today I want to encourage you to let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.  Take on His servant mentality each day.  Start each day with a special time of seeking God’s plan for the day.  Don’t worry about fitting it in, He will keep you on track and probably even help you delete some of the unimportant things.  Be watching for opportunities to bless others and to show the love of God to those you meet and consider others above yourself.

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 2:5-11

 Esteem others better

“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”  Philippians 2:3

So, I had a revelation this week and it pretty much changed my way of thinking forever. Let me back up a little and talk about how this revelation came about.  I have been doing a study on honor in my personal time.  All through the scripture God talks about honoring others, honoring authority, honoring leaders, honoring in the home, and honoring in the workplace.  As I contemplated the idea of honoring others, I remembered today’s verse about esteeming others better than myself.  Then I remembered this passage in Psalms 91.  “I call upon Him, and He answers me; He is with me in trouble; He delivers me and honors me.”(Psalms 91:15)  What?  God honors me?  That’s when the revelation hit me that God esteems me better than Himself.  Just as today’s verse tells us to esteem others better than ourselves, God esteems or thinks of us better than Himself.  Wow!  I know this is a bold saying, and just like the disciples often said to Jesus, “Lord, increase our faith!”  I had to say to my Heavenly Father, “Father, increase my faith!” 

So let’s think about it . . . First of all, God doesn’t ask us to do anything that He hasn’t already done or is doing right now.  He is our example and He said in Ephesians 5 to imitate God as dear children.  Every commandment He gave us is because its the way He lives and they are His ways.  His principles and precepts are what is required to live like Him in His kingdom.  Second, He laid down His life for us.  I don’t think you can esteem anyone higher than by giving your life for them.  He was willing to give everything He had just so I could be His child.  “Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sin, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24) Lastly, He receives us now as His family.  He has made us His children.  Which of you wouldn’t regard your own child higher than you would yourself?

Esteem means to regard highly (give importance to) and favorably regard with respect and admiration.  This revelation has completely changed my thinking when reading God’s Word.  Everything He asks me to do in His Word, I consider that He has done it first.  He didn’t give me His Word to try to control me, it was to show me how to live successfully in His Kingdom the way He lives!  Every example He wants me to be to others is the example He has given first.  I want to clarify right here that I am not saying in any way that we are better than God.   That would be ridiculous!!  I am simply saying God puts us in a place of greater importance in His kingdom than He does Himself.  It’s the reason He gave His life to save us.  We are precious to Him!  So precious that He gave His one and only Son Jesus to get us back!!

Today I want to encourage you to, first of all, follow God’s example to esteem and honor others better than yourself.  Secondly, to meditate on God’s thoughts for you.  Think about that great love He has for you!  Consider how He emptied and made Himself of no reputation to become like you. That He laid down His life for you.  Lastly, keep your heart set on this great love and esteem as you read God’s Words to you.  It will completely revolutionize the way you view the Holy Scripture and remember, we love Him because He first loved us! (1 John 4:19)

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 2:1-4   

Walk worthy of the gospel

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, Philippians 1:27

Bad behavior!  We see a lot of it these days.  The sad part is when you see it from other believers. Oh, how you would love to encourage them to stand fast in one spirit only to be struck down with arguments and more bad behavior. 

Today’s verse is about having conduct or behavior worthy and representative of the gospel of Christ Jesus.  Paul’s desire for the church at Philippi was that whether he was there in person or in spirit, that their conduct would be the same and that was to be working hard together for the faith of the gospel.  He didn’t want them to be pretending that they were all in agreement when he was around and then arguing and disputing doctrines when he was gone.  His desire was that they would walk out their purpose in life, worthy to carry the name Christian. He also wanted them to be able to do this effectively as they came together in agreement with one mind, striving together with each other not against one another.

Fast forward to today.  Has that changed?  If the apostle Paul were here today would he have a different desire for us?  What about Jesus? Does He want anything less from His people?  Well, He is here today and He desires that we would let our actions be reflective of the gospel so that those around us in today’s world would be drawn, not to us, but to Him and His great salvation.

Paul goes on to conclude this chapter with “Don’t in anyway be terrified/afraid of your enemies because that proves to them their destruction and your salvation.”  He finishes up by saying, “we are all in this together”.  It’s the same message for us today.  We are all in this together, so lets encourage, spur on and live as though we are citizens of heaven, because we are!

Today I want to encourage you to conduct yourself in a way that truly represents the cross.  Take on the attitude that Jesus did as He hung on the cross for those in your sphere of influence. The attitude of “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.”  Then do everything within your power to work together with other believers to get the message out to this lost and dying world.  Become a person that is the same godly influence whether you are at work and in your neighborhood.  Conduct yourself as though Jesus is right with you wherever you go, because He is.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 1:27-30

The only option

“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.”    Philippians 1:20 

I was going over some “options” in my thoughts about how God would answer my prayer and why it hadn’t happened yet.  I thought I was talking to God about these thoughts, but in reality, I was trying to control the situation and worrying about it at the same time.  I was looking for answers to questions I was having about why I wasn’t seeing the results I was praying for. Thoughts such as: Maybe the reason is because of something I have done?  Maybe it’s because of something someone else had done?  I had gone back and forth in my head for a little while when it was as if the Holy Spirit inside of me was saying, “Is that faith?”  “No” I responded, “It’s the same trap I always fall into of trying to figure out why things aren’t happening as quickly or in the way I expected them to.”  I quickly turned my words around to say,

“Heavenly Father, I thank You that You are at work in this situation.  I have asked and followed the direction You have given to me.  I believe You will bring the answer at just the right time and I don’t need to figure out how You are going to do it or why it hasn’t happened yet.  I will no longer consider the options of what is going on below the surface and behind the scenes.  I have confidence that You will never let me down because great is Your faithfulness!  I will not be put to shame and Christ Jesus will be magnified in my life as You bring the answer out of the spirit world and into the natural.”  Then the next time I thought about it or started to worry again, I prayed this same prayer all over again.

This was what the apostle Paul was talking about in today’s scripture reading.  He said, “I know this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer!”  How did he know that?  He couldn’t see into the future any more than we can.  It was his faith speaking.  He believed that when prayer was lifted up to God, that God would answer, and the Lord Jesus would be magnified in his life.  He actually goes on to speak the options he is considering.  Whether he would live in the flesh or go on to be with Jesus and the amazing thing is that he was hard-pressed or conflicted about it.  His desire to leave this world was as great as his desire to stay.  Now that’s faith!  He had so much confidence in God that whatever his future held, it was going to turn out for the furtherance of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Today I want to encourage you to have faith in God.  When you take any of life’s circumstances to Him, believe that He will bring the answer at just the perfect time.  After you pray and give control of the situation over to God, don’t consider the options that He may not answer, or He may not answer in the way you want Him to.  Just go ahead and start thanking Him that you have given Him control of that problem and now it’s in His hands and He will bring the answer into the natural world at just the right time and Christ Jesus will be magnified through the entire process.  Settle within your heart that faith in God is the only option!

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 1:19-26

 Bad turned to good

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,”  Philippians 1:12

In going through the letters that Paul wrote to the new testament churches, it is clear that he went through many struggles. Yet in today’s passage, he says it has turned out for the good of the gospel.   It’s no wonder that God chose him to write most of the New Testament.  In this first chapter of Philippians, he is talking about being in prison because his own people (the Jewish people) were trying to kill him.  He appealed to Caesar, so that insured his passage into Europe, right where God needed him to be. If He didn’t go there, we probably wouldn’t even have the great homeland that we have today and for sure the world would be a different place.

In today’s scripture he actually said that being in chains for Christ had turned out to further the good news of Christ Jesus!  The most amazing part was that he said all the palace guard now knew the gospel of Jesus and many had received Him.  Then he went on to say they all were talking about it!  Even though some talked about it to ridicule him, he didn’t even care because the message was still getting out.  Think about it, one of the guards said that Paul was there because he preached salvation through Jesus who raise from the dead and said it because he wanted to belittle Paul.  Well, he just told the story and now others knew it and were talking about it.  This witness was actually drawing people who wanted to know more about the message.  How creative!

I consider how I have felt in the past.  Maybe I was afraid to say something because it might not be received the way I want it to be, but by telling the salvation message to all those around, the word is spreading.  Even if it is just to talk smack against you/me, others hear it and can actually be drawn by the smack talker’s contempt.  Notice how Paul didn’t come at people with a condemning spirit telling them they were sinners and going to hell.  He always told the same story, and it was about how he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.   His witness was always about how Jesus changed his life and the love of God for everyone!  His attitude was always about love no matter which prison he was in.

Paul was highly respected, and we know this because when he got to Rome, he lived in his own private home.  He was not treated like a prisoner at that time. “Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.” Acts 28:30-31

Today I want to encourage you to be a witness wherever you are.  It can be in your neighborhood, school, or at work.  Even if it isn’t readily accepted, the word will spread and soon everyone will be talking about the good news of Jesus and not even realize they are doing it.  When you come around, they will know that you are a child of God. Then you will begin to notice others being drawn to Jesus through your example and testimony.

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 1:12-18

What really matters?

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.  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.  Philippians 1:10 & 11

This is such a crucial question to ask yourself daily.  What really matters?  What is really important today?  What is my purpose for living this day?  The apostle Paul encouraged the church at Philippi to understand what really matters. He spells it out for them by saying that he prays for their love to overflow more and more and they will keep growing in knowledge and understanding. Then he goes on to say that they would live pure and blameless lives and be filled with the fruit of their salvation which is the righteous character produced in life by Christ Jesus.  The ultimate result will be that they would bring much glory and praise to God.

So, what does that even look like in today’s world?  First of all, recognize that it isn’t common or popular.  It really wasn’t back in Paul’s day either.  Living life with love for others that overflows more and more and living pure and blameless lives sounds like a really hard thing to do for most of the world.  Keep in mind this doesn’t mean you have to be perfect.  It just means that you live honestly and when you mess up, you own it, repent and get back up again.  It is when we justify or cover things up that we are not living in the pureness of God’s love. 

Next, he said always be filled with the fruit of your salvation. He goes on to qualify that the fruit of your salvation is a righteous character that is produced by Jesus, not by you.  When you live each day clean before the Lord, the fruit of God’s Spirit will show up.  It is a result that is guaranteed by Jesus.  Living clean/pure is simply coming clean before the LORD in and with all things.  Keep everything you do and everything you say submitted to Him and that will produce the righteous character and a good reputation in your life.

Lastly, he says living pure and being filled with the fruit of salvation brings much glory and praise to your Heavenly Father.  This is what really matters.  Shinning the light on Him and His love and goodness are what is really important and the purpose for living each day.

Today I want to encourage you to discover what really matters.  It’s the same for everyone.  It is having overflowing love for others increasing in you life and continue to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God’s love. Then shining the light with a pure and blameless life so that those around you can see your righteous character that is produced in your salvation in Christ Jesus.  After that, all will glorify God and know the love and goodness He has planned for all those who trust in Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 1:8-11

Make requests

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Philippians 1:3

Let’s start doing this.  Every time you think of someone you know or every time someone comes to your mind, thank God for them.  Especially if you have ever had the opportunity to encourage or minister to their lives in some way.  Paul did this and in fact, the next verse says he did it with joy and he prayed for them the way they were praying.  He made requests for them.  He would take their requests and petitions before God in prayer, every time he thought of them.

I wonder how different life would be if every time someone came to mind, we would rejoice and thank God for them.  Instead of the first thoughts being concern, worry or even disapproval?  Think first of how to pray for them in a way that will help them to get through the things they are going through.  Thanking God for their friendship and for the connection with others instead of thinking what needs to be fixed. 

Then after you thank God for them, send them a message of encouragement.  Things like “you’re doing great!”  “God’s got this!” Or even, “Keep up your confidence in the one who has begun a good work in you to complete it until Jesus comes back!”  That’s pretty encouraging.  I know Paul didn’t send these letters every time he thought of them, but he didn’t have the technology that we have today.  Now more than ever, we need to be encouraging and cheering each other on.  Make a phone call, send a text message or write and encouraging email.  It could make all the difference in how someone’s day is going.

Today I want to encourage you to be thankful when you think of others, no matter who comes to your mind.  Whether it is a friend, family member or even someone who seems to always be in need, thank God for them.  Then lift up their request with joy in knowing that God will complete the work He started in them and He will never give it up until Jesus comes!

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 1:3-7

 Committed

Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:  Philippians 1:1

Are you committed?  Are you committed to your Heavenly Father?  Are you committed to His purpose and cause?  How do you know?  How do any of us know?  If we look at the life of the apostle Paul, we see what true commitment looks like.  Here in the first verse of Philippians, it says that Paul was a bondservant.  I used to think this word meant prisoner, because Paul started other letters with the idea that he was in prison because of his message of the good news.  Actually, this word “bondservant” means a slave or servant without wages.  Paul had committed to living his life to serve in the ministry of the gospel regardless of how he would make ends meet.  Of course, God always took care of him, but to Paul, the most important thing was to get the message out and to complete his assignment.

That’s what true commitment looks like.  I want to say, thankfully, our missions do not look like Paul’s did.  In fact, Paul was called into this ministry at a time when the message was brand new and it required the intensity level that Paul was prepared and born for.  However, we do have a calling, assignment, mission or whatever you want to name it.  God has a purpose for you to complete while you are here in this world.  We are given an allotted amount of time to accomplish the reason we were born, and it is up to us to discover what that reason is and then follow the plan God designed to complete it.  How’s that working out for you?  It’s a good question for sure and one that all of us need to ask ourselves, pretty much daily.  It is so easy to get distracted with the things of living day to day, that if we don’t intentionally put that purpose and plan before our eyes continually, it can get easily drop to the bottom of the priority list.

So, the question remaining is “How do I identify if I am committed?”  It’s actually pretty easy to determine this by asking the next question: “Where does God show up in my day?  What space of time have I given to Him to purposefully grow closer to what is in His heart for me?”  This is your starting point.  Get alone with your Heavenly Father each day and grow in your relationship with Him.  Put away any excuses why you may not have time to do this and put it into the place of something that is less important that you can probably eliminate completely from your life.  Make God the priority in your world and your world will begin to make sense like it never has before.

Today I want to encourage you to consider the purpose and plan God has for your life.  Ask yourself today these three questions:  Am I walking/living in the plan that God has for me?  Is my life making a difference and impacting the lives of others in some way?  Do I wake up each morning with my mission in mind?  These questions are important to consider and if you answer no to any of them, ask the LORD today how to get back on tract with the mission He has assigned to your life.  Then open the book and get the plan.  Determine to complete, down to the last detail, the things God has for you to do in this world.  Then, when your days are over, (and there is no doubt that they will end one day) you will face your Heavenly Father with the confidence of hearing Him say “Well done!”

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 1:1-5

Connections

Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.  Ephesians 6:21

Connections!  It’s what life is all about. Whether it is your relationship with your family members or friends, even neighbors and co-workers, God is all about people. He desires people to connect with Him and with each other.  It is so important to Him that He set up His entire “Kingdom of Heaven here on earth” system based on His body of believers being connected with each other to complete His mission.

The apostle Paul knew something about being connected with others.  Not only did he spend a lot of time teaching about connecting, it is evident in his ministry team too.  Here at the end his letter to the church at Ephesus, he introduces his friend and brother in the Lord, Tychicus.  Tychicus was the one who would deliver the letter to the church.  He was also to tell all the believers there how and what Paul has been doing.  He was Paul’s ambassador to Ephesus.  Throughout Paul’s life we hear of His partnerships with Barnabas and also with Silas. However, these two were not the only people on his ministry team. As you read his new testament letters, he mentions many other believers who not only were part of his team, they were extensions of God’s purpose all working to accomplish one goal . . . getting the message through.

We have the same commission today.  We are to connect with others to teach, learn and encourage one another to accomplish the mission God has for today.  We are not on individual missions, we are on one purpose. . . God’s purpose.  His plan is for each one of us to represent heaven in our everyday life.  I recently heard a testimony of someone who works in the secular world, but his boss had questions about God that he was able to answer.  He said he felt like he was representing heaven as he spoke and surprised himself how much he knew about it all.  Of course, the Holy Spirit was with him, but he yielded to Him non-the-less.

Today I want to encourage you to evaluate your connections, friendships and relationships.  How is your ministry team doing?  Whether you lead or not is not the focus.  Instead, being the voice of heaven in today’s world is what’s important.  Take a next step today into becoming more in tune with the message God is giving for this time.  Then spend time connecting with other believers by teaching, learning and encouraging them.  Let’s accomplish all that is in God’s heart for us to get done in these last days!

Today’s scripture reading: Ephesians 6:21-24