The Daily Dose

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

Think on these things

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

I like to use this verse as a gauge to measure my thought life.  I also like to connect it with 2 Corinthians 10:5 that says, “casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” I equate “think on these things” to “casting down the imaginations.” I want to bring every thought into captivity with the good things listed in today’s scripture.  This is truly evidence that we, as believers, not only have a choice of what we think about, but we have absolute control over our thought life.  It just takes practice and determination and, of course, the help of the Holy Spirit.

So, what’s the secret?  The key to leading your thoughts in the direction of success is choosing to think the opposite of an evil thought that comes into your mind.  Think of each thought as a suggestion and you decide if you want to accept that suggestion and proceed down that way of thinking.  Another part of the equation is to guard your mind by not letting the undesirable in.  For example, if you battle with fear or anxiety, do not watch fearful movies or reports, especially things that are not even true.  If you struggle with impurity, do not let impure and defiled images and thoughts continue, etc.  You get the point.

Let me show you what I mean.  The verse says to think on things noble, just, pure, lovely, and good report.  It is quite a selection to choose from.  When I have dishonoring thoughts I choose instead to think on noble/honoring things.  When I have unfair or bias thoughts (judging and condemning) instead I think on just or gracious things.  When I have impure thoughts, I recognize that it is time to change my thinking and when I think unloving thoughts, I fill my heart with thoughts of God’s unconditional love.  When I’m faced with fearful thoughts or bad news, I turn to the good news of God’s Word.

Today I want to encourage you to take inventory of your thought life.  Assess the thoughts and mindsets that need to be eliminated.  These are easy to identify because they steal your peace.  Spend time asking the Holy Spirit to empower you to take authority over the unwanted thoughts that come and replace them with thoughts directly from God.  Thoughts that He gave you in His Word.  Thoughts like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.  Peace of mind is priceless, and it only comes from the Prince of Peace!

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 4:8-9

Rejoice!

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I will say, rejoice!”      Philippians 4:4

Do you enjoy life?  Some days I feel like I am just holding on trying to make it through another day.  Recently, I was given a new opportunity that opened my eyes to one of the secrets of living this life to the fullest.   It was at work and I was asked to step into a place that was new and potentially difficult.  My first thought in my head was “I don’t want to do that.  It will be hard and uncomfortable.  I don’t know anything about it and it will not be easy to learn.”  Before I responded, I had a brief conversation in my heart with the Holy Spirit and asked Him for the right attitude and response to this choice.  Suddenly I had a new perspective.  Maybe this “open door” could lead to a divine appointment or a new direction that I am asking God to help with in my job.  I became excited for the new venture and my heart immediately jumped on board.  I thought “how many times has God opened a door in the past that I refused to go through because it was new and uncomfortable.  Am I missing out on all the adventures and good things God is trying to get through to me?”

In today’s scripture, there are some hints on how to live a life of enjoyment.  Paul goes through a brief list that can lead us on a path to a joyful life.  He says, first of all to rejoice, and then he says it again, rejoice. (It isn’t really a suggestion) Next, he says be gentle to everyone because the LORD is near and in every choice you make, by prayer and supplication ask God to help you with them.  Don’t worry or stress about things but be thankful!  Lastly, allow God’s peace to be the guard of your heart.  Don’t let anything into your heart that isn’t peaceful.  It is not from God!!  Then I will add, when new opportunities come your way or seemingly uncomfortable new doors open, ask the peace of God to empower you to make the decision that leads you to God’s path of life because:  Psalms 16:11 says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  God’s path is where your joy in life exists.

Today I encourage you to examine your life.  Are you living this short life to the fullest potential?  Are you walking through all the doors of opportunity God is opening for you or are you making your choices based on what is safe and comfortable?  Living a life full of the God kind of faith will take you on the greatest adventures.  Don’t walk by the opportunities that God may be setting before you, the answer to what you are praying for may be on the other side!

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 4:1-6

 Citizens of Heaven

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,  Philippians 3:20

Citizenship.  I believe it is something most of us take for granted.  If you’re like me, you were born an American and my citizenship was automatic.  I never had to consider, choose or apply to attain it.  I was born this way.  I am so thankful to be an American!  As messed up as the world is and even our own country, I still believe it is the best place in the world to live.  I know God has planned for me to live in this country for the space of time that I will be here in the world.  However, today’s scripture is talking about a different citizenship, a citizen of heaven.  Again, if you’re anything like me, you did have to decide at some point to consider and make a conscience decision to become a citizen of heaven!  It did not happen automatically. It is only obtained by surrendering this earthly life to a loving Father and receiving His gift of Salvation through His first born Son and it far exceeds the kingdom of America!

So because I didn’t have to choose my earthly citizenship, I find that I don’t quite get the full impact of being born again into the kingdom of heaven.  Think about the benefits of being an American.  The freedoms we have here to life, liberty, protections against evil, freedom to work, own property and pray just to name a few.  The list could go on for quite a while.  Now think about the benefits of being a citizen of heaven.  Certainly, the benefits are far greater and supersede the earthly realm. Yet, we often fail to walk in that citizenship even though it is ours.  Think about this:  In Acts 22, Paul declared his citizenship as a Roman to avoid a roman punishment.  There were laws to protect romans and Paul knew that.  Was it wrong for him to declare his citizenship because it benefitted him?  Of course not.  Just like it is not wrong for us to walk in our benefits as Americans today.  So why do we as Christians not take the time to understand the kingdom principles better so we can benefit from them?  Is it wrong that we want to benefit or have an advantage over those on the outside?  Certainly not!

Psalms 103 talks about some of the benefits of God’s kingdom.  This passage actually tells us not to forget about these benefits.  It says: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalms 103:2-5) 

These are just a few of God’s benefits and it is not wrong for us as His people to walk in them.  All of God’s promises in His Word are for us as citizens of heaven and His Holy Word is full of all the successful ways He wants us to live as His citizens and children.  We are not only citizens, we are also His family.  How much it must please our Father when we succeed in all the things He sent His Son to acquire for us.

Today I want to encourage you to consider your heavenly citizenship.  Think about your benefits as an American, then think about the greater benefits as a Christian.  Then be thankful!  Be thankful that you never have to spend a day in the torments of hell!  Be thankful that he causes all you do to triumph (2 Cor. 2:14)!  Be thankful that He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) and be thankful that whatever you do will prosper (psalms 1:3)!   We were born again into His Kingdom, and it rules over and above all the earth! (Psalms 103:19)

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 3:17-21