Judges 1-2

"For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning. . ."  Judges 2:18

It is truly the Lord who comes to our rescue, showing pity," when the mess is completely of out own making!  

Thank you Lord for your great mercy.

Philippians 2:20

The major ministirial difference:

For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.

That might actually be the key to service in the ministry - to be genuinely concerned for the welfare of those you are serving.  Consider the difference that makes.  My actions and attitudes would flow out of my focus on the ones I am serving, not on how I feel, or what I want, or what is easiest for me.

Lord, as I serve in the various ministries that you have given me, may those that I serve truly sense that I am genuinely concerned for their welfare.  May my words and thoughts, as well as my actions an attitudes reflect a Christ-like love for each of them as individuals.  May my focus move from me to them - and ultimately to You.

Philippians 2:14

Another tiny but tough command!

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Interesting that it's not "most things" or even "some things," but it is ALL things!

Around this time of year - Thanksgiving to Christmas - it should be easier, but with all of the added responsibilities, I fear it has gotten harder instead!

Lord, please help me to do ALL things - those I want to and those I don't want to - without grumbling or disputing.

Philippians 2:3

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Why is such a small command so insanely difficult to follow?  Is it maybe due to Satan's re-wiring of our heart and the mangled mess that results from sin?  Is our wiring so crossed that we have become by nature incredibly selfish and self-centered?  Is the output of God's love unable to flow completely through us because our wires are so twisted that we find it nearly impossible to think that ANYONE is more important than we ourselves are?

Lord, please uncross the wires that I have allowed Satan to cross and cause your energy and love to flow through me instead of just getting stuck in just an endless loop inside me!

Philippians 1

I have been jumping around a bit as we consider the book that we will use for our next ladies' Bible study, and I've landed for a time in Philippians.  (Note: haven't been 'blogging' everything, but have learned some really neat things!)

Today was something that I really wanted to remember and with all that I'm trying to keep track of in my head, I figured I'd better write it down if there was any hope of remembering it tomorrow!  (Who am I kidding - I couldn't remember it by lunch let alone tomorrow!)

so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.  Philippians 1:26

That truly needs to be the prayer of my heart when it comes to the ministries I have been blessed to work in.  I desire (or should desire) that I give people around me 'cause to glory in Christ Jesus' and I can't do that if I'm not glorying in Him myself.

Lord, please help me to find all my joy and strength in you, so that, as I serve others, I am only reflecting You - causing them to glory in Christ Jesus.

James 1:1-4

Introduction:  The book is written by James. Not just any James, but James the brother of Jesus.  That makes it even more interesting that he uses the term "servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ". His addition of the word Lord signifies his understanding that Jesus and God are one.  Again, interesting under the consideration that he was Christ's half- brother.

Patience - The testing of your faith produces patience -The ESV translates it as "steadfastness," but I prefer patience.  As one commentator said, it isn't a passive sitting and waiting, it is an active finishing - like the push to finish a marathon.  Also, I never realized that it wasn't so that God knows how much patience I have, but it is so I know, and others know.  That, for some reason seems to make a huge difference for me. . . 

I Peter 1:3-9

According to his great mercy. . . 

It really is all about Him!

though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

The trials come out of necessity and last only a short time

may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

To whom will it result in praise and glory and honor?

To - Through

To - Through

Though