The Daily Dose

His unconditional love

Because for the work of Christ he (Epaphroditus) came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me.  Philippians 2:30

Prison, sickness, death . . . these are just a few of the perils that the Christians of Paul’s day faced.  Of course, they were different times for sure.  Living under a one world government, no modern inventions and all industry was based around necessity rather than comfort.  It was a completely different world than what we live in today.  Simple yet hard. Basic but complex.  There were no rights or freedoms and everything the believers of that day did was out of a sense of ministry.  They worked to fund the work of the LORD, to spread the message of the gospel.  They opened their homes to minister the gospel and to rescue those without hope.  Sure, they had celebrations and some enjoyment, but the life of the new testament believer was not lived for entertainment and pleasure but rather survival and preservation.

Paul talks about one of his fellow workers in today scripture . . . Epaphroditus.  He was a messenger for Paul and ministered encouragement and whatever Paul needed at the time that the church was not able to supply to him.  It was his purpose in life.  He was on a mission.  Even when he became very ill to the point of death, he longed to serve and to minister to the needs of the believers.  Despite being very sick to the point of almost dying, all he could think about was getting back to his purpose in life.  He wasn’t a great preacher or a wealthy business man, but he used the ability that he did have to serve.  He was a faithful “brother” to Paul and to the church at Philippi.

What a contrast in today’s world.  With all the modern inventions and the maintenance of keeping them updated, the church has become preoccupied with being comfortable and keeping up with the latest tv series.  Using gifts and abilities to further careers and acquire more stuff to maintain.  We have become completely distracted and the enemy of our souls knows exactly how to lure us further from the purpose we were created to fulfil.  I know, I have been right there in the middle of this mind set.  I didn’t even understand that God had put things in my heart for Kingdom progress.  I thought I should just go through life and pay my bills and take care of my own stuff.  Don’t bother anyone and no one will bother me.  I didn’t know that the abilities I posessed to catch on quick and work hard at something were to be used for God, I thought that was just to get me through.  Now I understand that my deepest desire is to help others know the God of all heaven and earth.  The God of the universe and all creation wants all people to know that He loves them and that He made a way to be with them for all eternity.  I am here to share the heart of God for people with all those He brings into my life.  When I look deep inside my heart, that is the desire I see buried beneath all the fear, selfishness and distractions of the world. I want to help all people discover God’s unconditional love so they can experience it in their everyday life.  Am I willing to go to the point of prison, sickness or even death?  I don’t know, but I do know that I am on my way to finally understanding what my life is really all about. I endeavor to complete every direction God drops into my heart.

Today I want to encourage you to take one entire minute to examine your heart. Look beneath the surface and discover what the deepest desire in your heart is.   Ask yourself how are you using your God-given talents and abilities to impact the kingdom of heaven.  Start by taking time to grow your relationship with your heavenly Father.  I’m not talking about going to church, though it is important.  I’m talking about one on one time each day talking with and getting to know Him more.  Getting new revelation of how much He loves you unconditionally and wants to lead you to that perfect path of liberty of fulfilling all that He has planned for you to accomplish.    Lastly ask yourself have you discovered God’s unconditional love to the point that you experience it in your everyday life?  Then and only then will you experience true contentment and satisfaction in this world.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 2:25-30

Cheer others on

But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know how you are doing.  Philippians 2:19

This is hard to imagine.  Even before we had the internet and cell phones, we could at least call someone from our home phone or send a card that would be received in just a couple days.  Here Paul is talking about sending Timothy to the church at Philippi.  He knows it is a long hard trip and he is definitely praying for God’s help to get Timothy there.  This was the only way the letters got to the churches and the only way Paul got a report back from the churches, by sending a courier.  Only a couple verses earlier, Paul says he is rejoicing even though he is about to lose his life.  He is excited to hear about the successes they are having in their faith walk.   He lets them know that the report Timothy brings back is going to bring him much joy.

Again, this makes me think about how we can be encouraging each other today.  As easy as it is to reach out to someone instantaneous, be intentional to do so.  It is something we will be held accountable for.  Much like we will be held to a higher standard to know the Word of God because of its availability to us, we will also be responsible for how we encouraged and spurred one another on in our walk of life. I refer back to Luke 12:48 where Jesus said: “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”  We have been given more than any other generation before us, in every area of life.  We have more resources than ever before, access to the most information ever and it is easier to reach out to others than ever before in the history of the world.  We have been given much and likewise much is required from each one of us.  Let’s begin to recognize what these gifts have truly been given to us for.

Today I want to encourage you to cheer up and encourage those who have helped you along in your faith walk.  Send a text message or email to someone today who has touched your life in some way.  Whether it was spiritual, emotional or financial, it doesn’t matter, just let them know how they have impacted your life and thank them for it.  With thanksgiving only a couple weeks away, you could even send a card to say how you are thankful that God brought them into your life.  I promise this will not only bring them joy, it will encourage you also!  Start today to be faithful with all the goodness God has brought into your life.

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 2:17-24

No complaining?

Do all things without complaining and disputing, Philippians 2:14

I have really been enjoying this journey through the book of Philippians.  Even though I thought I knew much of it, simply breaking it down into smaller sections has really brought out new revelation.  Today’s verse for example, I have mentally “known” for years.  Because I know this scripture, I know that it is wrong to complain about anything, but come on, really?  Are we really expected not to complain . . . ever?  I mean just look at the year we have lived in 2020.  Pandemic, social distancing, masks . . . just to name a few of common complaints we hear everyday.  What about everything shutting down, shopping, jobs, churches?  I won’t even get into the whole political realm.  Then there are personal things like family, friends and neighbors.  Are we really expected not to voice our opinions about how wrong these things are?  I mean, most people can’t even have a conversation without speaking their disapprovals, worries or fears.  I can’t even imagine a would without hearing hundreds of complaints each day.

However, there is a promise that goes along with this admonishing to do all things without complaining or disputing/arguing.  That promise is that you will be blameless/innocent, harmless (meaning you won’t hurt anyone) children of God. You will be unblemished right in the middle of a crooked/devious and perverse people.  Not only that, but by not complaining and arguing, you will shine as a light to the world!  That’s pretty awesome!

So go ahead and hold on tight to the words that bring life and peace to every situation and don’t try to stir up more anger and strife in your area of influence.  Whether it’s your work, your neighborhood or even your church group, make the adjustment today to only speak words that encourage and life up others.  Then rejoice that you are not doing life in vain but on purpose.  The purpose of being hope to the hopeless.  The purpose of being light to the darkness.  The purpose of being peace to the confusion and fear.  The purpose of being God’s child that knows the way to His abundant life.

Today I want to encourage you to read this portion of scripture like it is the first time you have ever read it.  Take a step back and just think about the complaining and arguing that is done on a daily basis.  Now make a decision that you will no longer take part in that side of life.  Take your stand to always speak words that bring life and the goodness of your Heavenly Father into every situation and conversation.  Begin today to live your life to bring honor and glory to your Savior, not to bring criticizing and complaining to your world. Now you can be the light that God has always intended you to be!

Today’s scripture reading: Philippians 2:14-17

God is working in you

“For it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13

God is working in us!  I‘m not sure if I can fully explain the magnitude of how beautiful this scripture is. Ever since I read it again the other day, I have been thanking my Heavenly Father for working in me!  I know it’s true because I see the evidence of it all through my life!  I want to ask you to stop for a minute and look at this scripture again.  Really let it soak in.  Below is the New Living Translation.  Read it again and carefully consider the words that God is working in you.  What does that mean and how have you seen it displayed in your own life?

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”  (Philippians 2:13)  These words energize my heart “God is working in me.”  This is huge!  He didn’t just create the world and the people in it and then give the earth a spin and say, “There you go, I hope it all works out for you.”  Not at all, He is activity working and involved in our lives on a daily basis!  He does it through His Holy Spirit living on the inside of us.  It’s the reason Paul said in Romans 8:11 “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life (energize) to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”  This is God working in us to make us willing and empowered to complete the plan He has for our lives.

As you know by now, I spent many years not considering God’s plan, but only living out my own plan.  Now that I have surrendered completely to Him, the intensity of desire inside of me for His plan is extreme.  After considering this scripture, I understand the reason for this intensity is because it is God working in me.  He has been all along; I just wasn’t aware of it.  I was too busy trying to handle all my predicaments by myself instead of getting quiet before God and getting the plan.  It was like I was in a hole and digging deeper as I was trying to get out.  However, the good news is that He took all the things that I have gone through (whether good or bad) and “worked” them all together as part of the plan. Just like a recipe where you add all the “ingredients” and mix them together to get the end delicious result, God does the same thing with our lives.  He mixes together every experience that we have put into our lives whether good or bad and gets the wonderful desired results of His plan to reach others with those very ingredients.  Glory to God!

Today I want to encourage you not to stress about whether or not God is working in you.  Rather just believe God is working in you because He said it in His Word.  Take time today and every day to “tune in” to the direction He has for you and watch as His Spirit gives you the desire and power to walk in His good path and pleasure each day!  He loves you so much and has so many marvelous things planned for you!  Don’t miss out on any of them!

Today’s scripture reading:  Philippians 2:12-18

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