Philippians 4:
Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.
I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice!
Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel when I departed from Macedonia,no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet ever saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar's household.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen
Thursday, January 31, 2019
When God Whispers Your Name Chapter 6 Questions
Chapter 6:
Points to Ponder
" If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior."
1.) Do you agree that our greatest need was forgiveness?
2.) Explain why you think this true.
" He became like us, so we could become like him."
1.) In what way did He become like us?
2.) In what way can we become like Him?
Wisdom from the Word:
Read Matthew 1:18-2:12. If you were to write a commercial Christmas card message based on this passage, what element of the story would you highlight? Why?
Read Luke 2:1-20. If you were to write a commercial Christmas card message based on this passage, what element of the story would highlight? Why?
Points to Ponder
" If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior."
1.) Do you agree that our greatest need was forgiveness?
2.) Explain why you think this true.
" He became like us, so we could become like him."
1.) In what way did He become like us?
2.) In what way can we become like Him?
Wisdom from the Word:
Read Matthew 1:18-2:12. If you were to write a commercial Christmas card message based on this passage, what element of the story would you highlight? Why?
Read Luke 2:1-20. If you were to write a commercial Christmas card message based on this passage, what element of the story would highlight? Why?
When God Whispers Your Name Chapter 6
god's Christmas Cards:
I'm monitoring my mailbox.
I don't usually spend time looking at it, but I am today. I don't want it to fall. Just a few days ago that wasn't a concern--but that was before the construction crew started clearing the lot across the street. And that was before the gravel-truck driver forgot to look in his rear view mirror.
Clunk.
So today our mailbox is upright again, propped up by three two-by-four on three sides. Not too attractive, but functional.
Strange what you think about while posting an eye on the postal receptacle. As I gaze at it, it occurs to me that the mailbox is a lot like a bus terminal--a turnstile for the good and the bad, the wanted and the unwanted. Just for fun, I'm making a list of letters I hope I never receive. ( Well, what do you think about when you're watching a box on a pole?)
Here's what I've written so far:
Dear Dad,
I'm writing to ask if there is a limitation to the number of cars our liability insurance covers...
Dear Max,
You know last summer when you broke the vase my Uncle Bill had left me? Remember I told you a hundred bucks would be fine, but you insisted I get it appraised? Well, boy, am I glad you did. I hope you are sitting down because the museum's curator of thirteenth-century art says...
Mr. Lucado,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the purebred puppy you were sending to Oakland, California, was inadvertently sent to Auckland, New Zealand...
Dear Max,
So why am I writing after all these years? Well, it seems that the university made a mistake. They swapped our transcripts. Isn't that a hoot? And all these years I thought I graduated by the skin of my teeth. And all these years you thought you were summa cum laude!
Dear Mrs. Lucado,
Recently you purchased from us a home pregnancy diagnostic kit. We are writing to inform you that there was a mistake in the instructions, and what you thought you were, you aren't, and what you thought you weren't, you are....
Groan.
I've never read any scientific data on it, but it seems to me that the unnecessary mail has the necessary mail outnumbered. ( Maybe you are like me and you sort your mail over a trash can. Maybe you are like me and wonder if there is anything in the world that doesn't have its own catalog. If you are a left-handed, right-winged, Ivy-League fan of jazz music, there is probably an underwear catalog just for you .)
Most mail is unnecessary. So why I am repairing my box?
Simple. It's December.
Were it any other time of the year, I might leave it on its side. Let the postman hang on to my bills for a few days. But I can't do that. Not this time of the year. Not December. Not the week before Christmas!
This is the week that mail is fun. This is the week of red envelopes, green stamps, and Christmas tree stickers. This is the week when your old roomie who married Hazel and moved to Phoenix writes to tell you their fourth child is on the way. This is the week of front-and-back newsletters describing the Grand canyon, graduations, and gallbladder surgeries.
So, as much for me as the mailman, I propped up the box.
Only a Scrooge doesn't want a Christmas card.
Some are funny. Got one today with elves pulling books off the "elf-help" shelf.
Others are touching, like the illustration of Mother Mary and the baby resting at the base of the Egyptian sphinx.
And a few are unforgettable. Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in the mail several years ago:
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.
Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. Phrases filled with the reason we do it all anyway.
He became like us, so we could become like him.
Angels still sing and the star still beckons.
He loves each one of us like there was only one of us to love.
Long after the sender's name is forgotten, the card's message lingers. Words of promise. A handful of seeds and syllables flung upon the fertile soil of December with hope of fruit born in July. For that reason, I keep the mailbox up.
My heart can use all the seeds it can get.
I'm monitoring my mailbox.
I don't usually spend time looking at it, but I am today. I don't want it to fall. Just a few days ago that wasn't a concern--but that was before the construction crew started clearing the lot across the street. And that was before the gravel-truck driver forgot to look in his rear view mirror.
Clunk.
So today our mailbox is upright again, propped up by three two-by-four on three sides. Not too attractive, but functional.
Strange what you think about while posting an eye on the postal receptacle. As I gaze at it, it occurs to me that the mailbox is a lot like a bus terminal--a turnstile for the good and the bad, the wanted and the unwanted. Just for fun, I'm making a list of letters I hope I never receive. ( Well, what do you think about when you're watching a box on a pole?)
Here's what I've written so far:
Dear Dad,
I'm writing to ask if there is a limitation to the number of cars our liability insurance covers...
Dear Max,
You know last summer when you broke the vase my Uncle Bill had left me? Remember I told you a hundred bucks would be fine, but you insisted I get it appraised? Well, boy, am I glad you did. I hope you are sitting down because the museum's curator of thirteenth-century art says...
Mr. Lucado,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the purebred puppy you were sending to Oakland, California, was inadvertently sent to Auckland, New Zealand...
Dear Max,
So why am I writing after all these years? Well, it seems that the university made a mistake. They swapped our transcripts. Isn't that a hoot? And all these years I thought I graduated by the skin of my teeth. And all these years you thought you were summa cum laude!
Dear Mrs. Lucado,
Recently you purchased from us a home pregnancy diagnostic kit. We are writing to inform you that there was a mistake in the instructions, and what you thought you were, you aren't, and what you thought you weren't, you are....
Groan.
I've never read any scientific data on it, but it seems to me that the unnecessary mail has the necessary mail outnumbered. ( Maybe you are like me and you sort your mail over a trash can. Maybe you are like me and wonder if there is anything in the world that doesn't have its own catalog. If you are a left-handed, right-winged, Ivy-League fan of jazz music, there is probably an underwear catalog just for you .)
Most mail is unnecessary. So why I am repairing my box?
Simple. It's December.
Were it any other time of the year, I might leave it on its side. Let the postman hang on to my bills for a few days. But I can't do that. Not this time of the year. Not December. Not the week before Christmas!
This is the week that mail is fun. This is the week of red envelopes, green stamps, and Christmas tree stickers. This is the week when your old roomie who married Hazel and moved to Phoenix writes to tell you their fourth child is on the way. This is the week of front-and-back newsletters describing the Grand canyon, graduations, and gallbladder surgeries.
So, as much for me as the mailman, I propped up the box.
Only a Scrooge doesn't want a Christmas card.
Some are funny. Got one today with elves pulling books off the "elf-help" shelf.
Others are touching, like the illustration of Mother Mary and the baby resting at the base of the Egyptian sphinx.
And a few are unforgettable. Every Christmas I read this reminder that came in the mail several years ago:
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior.
Christmas cards. Punctuated promises. Phrases filled with the reason we do it all anyway.
He became like us, so we could become like him.
Angels still sing and the star still beckons.
He loves each one of us like there was only one of us to love.
Long after the sender's name is forgotten, the card's message lingers. Words of promise. A handful of seeds and syllables flung upon the fertile soil of December with hope of fruit born in July. For that reason, I keep the mailbox up.
My heart can use all the seeds it can get.
Diary of a Destiny
Keeping a Journal:
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord, at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired: " Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
" Had his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
" Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, " To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High,"
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
Scripture: Psalm 77:2-13
Defining Moments:
When life is right on top of you, when you're wrestling with every detail of your current concerns and troubles, it's hard to imagine a day in the future when you won't be able to recall the way you feel right now or remember how difficult this certain decision was. More importantly, it seems impossible that you won't reflect on how God met you in your misery, pulling you through at the last minute, in ways you never expected.
But that day will come. And with it another new challenge, perhaps different but no less imposing, no less complex than the situation before.
Then one morning, your stomach in a knot, you'll pull out your personal journal, flip to a page dated two or three years back, and be suddenly transported to another time and place, to another crossroads conflict that seemed so huge at the time. Wow, you'd almost forgotten about it. Look how desperate you were. Feel the pain in your words. And remember the faithfulness of God--the God who's still here, to deal with the pressure that's so fresh today. Don't you feel better now?
Next Up:
Worship looks as good in your weekday outfits as it does in your Sunday clothes. Praising God through the day will dress up the way you think, act, and feel.
Trust the ones who've walked this way before. You'll be so glad you kept a record of your journey.
" Informed by the past, we can speak to God with specific hopes for the future, and with certain assurances about the present."
-Welton Gaddy
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord, at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned; I mused, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.
I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired: " Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again?
" Had his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?
" Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?"
Then I thought, " To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High,"
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?
Scripture: Psalm 77:2-13
Defining Moments:
When life is right on top of you, when you're wrestling with every detail of your current concerns and troubles, it's hard to imagine a day in the future when you won't be able to recall the way you feel right now or remember how difficult this certain decision was. More importantly, it seems impossible that you won't reflect on how God met you in your misery, pulling you through at the last minute, in ways you never expected.
But that day will come. And with it another new challenge, perhaps different but no less imposing, no less complex than the situation before.
Then one morning, your stomach in a knot, you'll pull out your personal journal, flip to a page dated two or three years back, and be suddenly transported to another time and place, to another crossroads conflict that seemed so huge at the time. Wow, you'd almost forgotten about it. Look how desperate you were. Feel the pain in your words. And remember the faithfulness of God--the God who's still here, to deal with the pressure that's so fresh today. Don't you feel better now?
Next Up:
Worship looks as good in your weekday outfits as it does in your Sunday clothes. Praising God through the day will dress up the way you think, act, and feel.
Trust the ones who've walked this way before. You'll be so glad you kept a record of your journey.
" Informed by the past, we can speak to God with specific hopes for the future, and with certain assurances about the present."
-Welton Gaddy
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
All for Christ
Philippians 3:
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church: concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore, let us, as many as are mature have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
When God Whispers Your Name Chapter 5 Questions
Chapter 5:
Points to Ponder:
" We learn brevity from Jesus. His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes. His best-known story can be read in ninety seconds. He summarized prayer in five phrases. He silenced accusers with one challenge. He rescued a soul with one sentence. He summarized the Law in three verses and reduced all his teachings to one command. He made his point and went home."
1.) What is so powerful about brevity? What can make it so effective?
2.) Which of Max's maxims in this chapter most struck a chord in you? Why?
Wisdom from the Word
1.) Read Luke 15:11-32. Why do you think this is Jesus' best known story? What makes it so powerful?
2.) Read Matthew 6:9-13. List the elements of prayer found in this passage. Do you use these elements in your own prayer life? Explain.
3.) Read Mark 12:29-31. How do these commands summarize all the Bible's teaching? How do they fit together?
Points to Ponder:
" We learn brevity from Jesus. His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes. His best-known story can be read in ninety seconds. He summarized prayer in five phrases. He silenced accusers with one challenge. He rescued a soul with one sentence. He summarized the Law in three verses and reduced all his teachings to one command. He made his point and went home."
1.) What is so powerful about brevity? What can make it so effective?
2.) Which of Max's maxims in this chapter most struck a chord in you? Why?
Wisdom from the Word
1.) Read Luke 15:11-32. Why do you think this is Jesus' best known story? What makes it so powerful?
2.) Read Matthew 6:9-13. List the elements of prayer found in this passage. Do you use these elements in your own prayer life? Explain.
3.) Read Mark 12:29-31. How do these commands summarize all the Bible's teaching? How do they fit together?
When God Whispers Your Name Chapter 5
Maxims:
Here's a Toast to the simple sentence.
Here's a salute to one-liners.
Join me in applauding the delete key and the eraser.
May the feast on the trimmings of the writer's table.
I believe in brevity. Cut the fat and keep the fact. Give us words to chew on, not words to wade through. Thoughts that spark, not lines that drag. More periods. Fewer commas.
Distill it.
Barebone it.
Bareknuckle it.
Concise ( but not cute). Clear ( but not shallow). Vivid ( but not detailed.) That's good writing. That's good reading. But that's hard work!
But, it's what we like. We appreciate the chef who cuts the gristle before he serves the steak. We salute the communicator who does the same.
Ahhh, brevity. An art apparently unheeded in the realms of insurance brochures and some-assembly-required bicycle manuals.
We learn brevity from Jesus. His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes ( Matthew 5-7). His best know story can be read in ninety seconds ( Luke 15:11-32). He summarized prayer in five phrases ( Matthew 6:9-13). He silenced accusers with one challenge ( John 8:7). He rescued a soul with one sentence ( Luke 23:43). He summarized the Law in three verses ( Mark 12:29-31)., and he reduced all his teachings to one command ( John 15:12).
He made his point and went home.
We preachers would do well to imitate. ( What's that old line? " Our speaker today needs no introduction, but he could use a conclusion.")
I believe in brevity. I believe that you, the reader, entrust me, the writer, with your most valued commodity--your time. I shouldn't take more than my share. For that reason, I love the short sentence. Big-time game it is. Hiding in the jungle of circular construction and six syllable canyons. As I write, I hunt. And when I find, I shoot. Then I drag the treasure out of the trees and marvel.
Not all of my prey make their way into chapters. So what becomes of them? I save them. But I can't keep them to myself. So, may I invite you to see my trophy case! What follows are cuts from this book and a couple of others. Keep the ones you like. Forgive the ones you don't. Share them when you can. But if you do, keep it brief.
Pray all the time. If necessary, use words.
Sacrilege is to feel guilt for sins forgiven.
God forgets the past. Imitate him.
Greed I've often regretted. Generosity--never.
Never miss a chance to read a child a story.
Pursue forgiveness, not innocence.
Be doubly kind to the people who bring your food or park your car.
In buying a gift for you wife, practicality can be more expensive than extravagance.
Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.
Nails didn't hold God to a cross. Love did.
You'll give up on yourself before God will.
Know answered prayer when you see it, and don't give up when you don't.
Flattery is fancy dishonesty.
The right heart with the wrong creed is better than the right creed with the wrong heart.
We treat others as we perceive God is treating us.
Sometimes the most godly thing we can do is take a day off.
Faith in the future begets power in the present.
No one is useless to God. No one.
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.
Succeed in what matters.
You'll regret opening your mouth. You'll rarely regret keeping it shut.
To see sin without grace is despair. To see grace without sin is arrogance. To see them in tandem is conversion.
Faith is the gift in the soul that puts the dare into dreams.
God doesn't keep a clock.
Never underestimate a gesture of affection.
When Jesus went home, he left the front door open.
And to sum it up:
As soon as you can, pay your debts.
As long as you can, give the benefit of the doubt.
As much as you can, give thanks. He's already given us more than we deserve.
Here's a Toast to the simple sentence.
Here's a salute to one-liners.
Join me in applauding the delete key and the eraser.
May the feast on the trimmings of the writer's table.
I believe in brevity. Cut the fat and keep the fact. Give us words to chew on, not words to wade through. Thoughts that spark, not lines that drag. More periods. Fewer commas.
Distill it.
Barebone it.
Bareknuckle it.
Concise ( but not cute). Clear ( but not shallow). Vivid ( but not detailed.) That's good writing. That's good reading. But that's hard work!
But, it's what we like. We appreciate the chef who cuts the gristle before he serves the steak. We salute the communicator who does the same.
Ahhh, brevity. An art apparently unheeded in the realms of insurance brochures and some-assembly-required bicycle manuals.
We learn brevity from Jesus. His greatest sermon can be read in eight minutes ( Matthew 5-7). His best know story can be read in ninety seconds ( Luke 15:11-32). He summarized prayer in five phrases ( Matthew 6:9-13). He silenced accusers with one challenge ( John 8:7). He rescued a soul with one sentence ( Luke 23:43). He summarized the Law in three verses ( Mark 12:29-31)., and he reduced all his teachings to one command ( John 15:12).
He made his point and went home.
We preachers would do well to imitate. ( What's that old line? " Our speaker today needs no introduction, but he could use a conclusion.")
I believe in brevity. I believe that you, the reader, entrust me, the writer, with your most valued commodity--your time. I shouldn't take more than my share. For that reason, I love the short sentence. Big-time game it is. Hiding in the jungle of circular construction and six syllable canyons. As I write, I hunt. And when I find, I shoot. Then I drag the treasure out of the trees and marvel.
Not all of my prey make their way into chapters. So what becomes of them? I save them. But I can't keep them to myself. So, may I invite you to see my trophy case! What follows are cuts from this book and a couple of others. Keep the ones you like. Forgive the ones you don't. Share them when you can. But if you do, keep it brief.
Pray all the time. If necessary, use words.
Sacrilege is to feel guilt for sins forgiven.
God forgets the past. Imitate him.
Greed I've often regretted. Generosity--never.
Never miss a chance to read a child a story.
Pursue forgiveness, not innocence.
Be doubly kind to the people who bring your food or park your car.
In buying a gift for you wife, practicality can be more expensive than extravagance.
Don't ask God to do what you want. Ask God to do what is right.
Nails didn't hold God to a cross. Love did.
You'll give up on yourself before God will.
Know answered prayer when you see it, and don't give up when you don't.
Flattery is fancy dishonesty.
The right heart with the wrong creed is better than the right creed with the wrong heart.
We treat others as we perceive God is treating us.
Sometimes the most godly thing we can do is take a day off.
Faith in the future begets power in the present.
No one is useless to God. No one.
Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional.
You will never forgive anyone more than God has already forgiven you.
Succeed in what matters.
You'll regret opening your mouth. You'll rarely regret keeping it shut.
To see sin without grace is despair. To see grace without sin is arrogance. To see them in tandem is conversion.
Faith is the gift in the soul that puts the dare into dreams.
God doesn't keep a clock.
Never underestimate a gesture of affection.
When Jesus went home, he left the front door open.
And to sum it up:
As soon as you can, pay your debts.
As long as you can, give the benefit of the doubt.
As much as you can, give thanks. He's already given us more than we deserve.
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