“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6).   How is your reputation? If you are like me, you’ve had your ups and your downs. Sometimes people think I'm critical or judgmental. But, there have also been times when someone thought me intelligent or wise. And when such times happen, that's also the time to exercise humility by noting where that wisdom comes from. At such times, keep in mind what Moses said, that God’s word, “Will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples.”   Scripture isn't just a collection of religious or historical stories. And it wasn't written just to tell us the history of Israel. It is much deeper than that. Paul says it was written for our instruction (Romans 15:4, I Corinthians 10:11). It contains everything we need for life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). Through scripture, even the young and naive might be considered wise (Proverbs 28:7). So, if we want to excel in knowing God and how we should act in an increasingly wicked world, understanding scripture should be our first and last resort. Because, speaking of scripture, Moses says, “It is not an idle word for you, indeed, it is your life” (Deuteronomy 32:47).   Memory Verse   “It is not an idle word for you, indeed, it is your life” (Deuteronomy 32:47).   Application   Do you have a daily time of reading and reflection in God’s word? Don't fall into the trap of saying you don't have time. If you have time to sleep, or watch TV, or surf the Internet, then you have plenty of time to read and reflect on scripture. Make scripture a priority in your life and see how it changes your life.

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exodus 20:7).   Today’s passage is one that many people use to discourage vulgar language. But this passage has nothing to do with vulgar language. It has to do with how God’s people use God’s name. First, it tells us not to use his name in vain, wrongly. But notice what that implies.   Ancient Jews had a practice of not writing down God's full name when they copied scripture or other writings. Even today some people refuse to say or write God's name. While the motivation of using God's name correctly—by not using it at all—seems admirable, ultimately it is misguided. Why?   Consider the 3rd Commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7). In this sentence vain means profitless, pointless, senseless. The implication is that God wants us to use his name in meaningful ways. Did you catch that? God WANTS US to use his name. Even Jesus said, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it" (John 14:14).   Using names is an important part of cultural and relational identity. Have you ever heard someone say, "We're on a first name basis?" The use of first names, familial names, even pet names, indicates intimacy. Refusing to use God's name is actually a form of legalism that restricts intimacy with God. How can one call himself or herself a Christian and not want to grow in intimacy with God?   Nothing in scripture forbids you from using God's name, or discourages it. By refusing to use God's name we put a barrier in front of intimacy with God. Imagine never using your spouse's name. Your spouse would be offended, even hurt. Imagine if you never used your children’s names? Intimacy with your children would be damaged. Names are important. Using them is necessary for a healthy relationship. So, why not use God's name with him—with he who loves you far more than any spouse, child, sibling, or close friend?   Memory Verse   “For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great among the nations, and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 1:11).   Application   Use God's name. Rejoice in God's name. Recall his many titles and names and let the practice sweep you into greater intimacy with God.

“ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8-9).   Have you ever tried to put this passage of scripture into practice? Have you ever tried to intentionally change your thoughts so that you think of these things, only to fail and have other thoughts come to mind? There’s an important reason for this. Paul is not just telling us to think about these things in general. The use of Paul’s language here is telling us to go deeper than to just think. We must dwell.   Look at Paul’s wording. Five times Paul uses the word, “Whatever.” It would have been easy for Paul to say it once then list the things he was encouraging. “Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable…etc.” But he didn’t do that. He listed each one as important. He wasn’t us to dwell on these things. And make no mistake. As human and as fallen as we are, dwelling on something positive can take some work. It’s our nature to dwell on the negative or the sinful. But dwelling on things that please God takes intentional, purposeful, hard work. Are you up for the challenge? You can start by memorizing this important passage.   Memory Verse   “ Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8-9). Application   Dwell. Take a few minutes, right now, to dwell through this list. For instance, for something true, take time to think about what you’ve learned today, or what a pastor or teacher shared. Think through it’s implications. Then move on to each thing in Paul’s list. Go through the list and watch how your thought life begins to change.

"Let everyone see that you are unselfish and considerate in all you do. Remember that the Lord is coming soon." Philippians 4:5 LB “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5). If you asked a friend if you were a reasonable person, how would they respond? Better yet, if you asked a family member or spouse if you were consistently reasonable, what would they say? Sometimes the opinions of those closest to us are hard to hear.   Picture for a moment what the apostle Paul is doing. He is sitting in a prison cell, probably filthy, maybe hungry and smelly, dictating a letter to the Philippians. But, instead of talking about his unjust suffering he encourages his readers with these words: “Let you reasonableness be known to everyone.” How convicting! Paul doesn’t mean that we should tell people we are reasonable and listen. Rather, he is simply saying that we must be reasonable people. Then he goes on to describe some of the character traits of a reasonable person. A reasonable person isn’t anxious. He, instead, is thankful and takes everything to God in prayer (Philippians 4:6). The he rewards his readers with the outcome of these things. “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).   If we are to be reasonable people, then it seems logical that there should be something that we must be reasonable about. Indeed, there is. We are to be reasonable with the Gospel, telling others about Jesus. We also get this from Paul, who, while on trial was challenged that he was out of his mind. Paul’s response? “I am speaking true and rational words” (Acts 26:25). Did you catch that? The Gospel, the death and resurrection of Jesus, is true and rational. Therefore, why not be reasonable about it?   Memory Verse   “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (Philippians 4:5).   Application   Think back to the last time you had a discussion with someone about Jesus. Were your words true and rational? Were they reasonable words? How was your attitude. Remember that our speech about the Gospel should be with gentleness and humility.

“Circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:5-8).   A few years ago, while doing a spiritual inventory of my life, I came to a decision about what I wanted to do with my life and what part I wanted the Lord to play. It all came down to a single decision that I still think about today. I want Jesus Christ to be the supreme affection of my life.   Supreme affection. Some people might think that that is a strange phrase. Yet, I choose it because it goes beyond my desire to make Jesus the center of my mind and my will. I want my affections, my emotional center, to go along with it. Jesus is my supreme affection.   The apostle Paul had a similar phrase he used to help people understand the importance of Jesus Christ in his life. He called it, “The surpassing worth.” When Paul took a spiritual inventory of his life, when he considered all of the benefits his culture, heritage, and faith gave him, he chucked it all behind him for one thing: the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. In essence, he made Jesus Christ the supreme affection of his life. And he wrote about it, not to show off how spiritual he was, but so that his readers might make the same decision. He wanted them to do the very same thing. Then he went further. “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). For Paul, the benefits and sufferings of Christ were better to him than everything his heritage and efforts had to offer him. And so it is for us. Why? Because Jesus Christ has made you the chief affection of his life. “Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Philippians 3:12).   What is the chief affection of your life?   Memory Verse   “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).   Application   Take a spiritual inventory of your life. What do you spend the most time thinking about? What kind of emotions are stirred in your heart when you think of Jesus? Are they strong? Consider telling God that you want him to be your chief affection, and ask him to change your life accordingly.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).   Who doesn’t like a man of ambition? You know the kind I mean. Determined. A person with lofty goals and dreams. A person who goes after what he wants no matter what. A take-charge kind of guy.   It’s one thing to have ambition. It’s another thing to have selfish ambition. This is the kind of ambition that only rewards itself. Where all of he effort and hard work go to increasing your wealth, benefits, ease of life, and personal adventure. Paul also calls this conceit. We do these things out of a desire to build ourselves up. How often have you met someone of great ambition who desired to exercise that ambition only on behalf of others? With the exception of a few pastors I know, and a few parents, I can’t count such people on one hand.   Paul has an opposite description to challenge us with: humility, considering others as greater than we are. We might call this selfless ambition.   I take it back. There is one person I can think of who had what we might call selfless ambition. Paul wrote about him in Philippians 2:5-8. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”   Memory Verse   “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).   Application   Consider what you might do for someone else today. How can you do it without gaining any attention or recognition for yourself?

“It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” (Philippians 1:29).   If there is one thing in the Scripture we don’t want to consider, but that the scripture repeats over and over, it’s the idea that we must suffer for the sake of Christ. Suffering is something we must endure. Suffering is something we cannot avoid, but try to lessen. How can something so unpleasant be God’s will for our lives? Don’t God’s blessing mean something better than suffering? Can it be just a little suffering here and there, but not a way of life?   Paul answers all of these questions with a single word. Pay close attention, because you are not going to like it. I mean, you’re really not going to like it. “It has been GRANTED to you…”   Wait. Suffering has been granted ? You mean, granted, like a gift? Granted like an endowment? In fact, that is exactly what I mean because that is exactly what Paul means. And who better than the apostle Paul to use this kind of language? Because Paul knew that he had been granted suffering as a gift when Jesus said, “I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). Paul took his suffering as a model for his readers to follow, for right after noting his suffering he says to his readers that he is, “Engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have” (Philippians 1:30).   Think of the people whom you really admire. Not just personal friends, but people in history. People that you regard as great leaders or examples. I’m willing to be that many of them, if not all of them, went through some kind of great tragedy in their lives that molded them into the people they became. Why? Because, no one admires a man who sits comfortably on his chair, flipping through the channels on his TV. We respect and honor hard work, sacrifice, endurance, yes, even suffering.   What kind of person do you want to become? Suffering may be the key to becoming that kind of person.   Memory Verse   “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (I Timothy 6:12).   Application   What are you ready to give up or sacrifice for the kingdom of God? Consider how you can alter your life so that the Gospel of Jesus becomes your greatest pursuit.

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:1).   Did you know that seven out of the 13 of Paul’s letters were written with the help of others? And, did you know that during all of Paul’s missionary trips that he was accompanied by others and was even sent out by his church in Antioch, though he was an apostle with his own apostolic authority?   The apostle Paul’s writings are filled with unique wisdom and insight. It’s clear from the New Testament that Paul was gifted in remarkable ways. He also had special authority to bring about the church’s obedience as he recounted in Romans 1. But Paul never did things as a Lone Ranger Christian. He worked with others, submitted himself to others, and developed ministry partnerships with the people that he came to know in the countries where he traveled.   No matter what your position in the church, none of us operate alone or under our own authority. If we take Paul as our example we see that we also must have others that we partner with to accomplish the work of the Gospel or with anything in life.   Are you working with others or working alone? Every member of the body needs other members along with it (I Corinthians 12).   Memory Verse   “God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another” (I Corinthians 12:24-25).   Application   Do you sometimes feel alone in ministry? Make a list of people whom you’d like to work with in your personal ministry? How can you partner with them and build bridges of accountability and encouragement? Look for ways to submit to others and work together.

“From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17).   Of all of the passages in the Bible this is one that convicts me the most. It’s the one that I think about occasionally because what it communicates is a barometer for my commitment to Christ. This was a statement of the apostle Paul’s commitment to share Christ and live for Christ no matter what. And there is a second passage like it. It’s in II Timothy 4:14. “Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm.” Paul suffered at the hands of this man, perhaps with burning or hot metal. It is unthinkable. Yet Paul trusted God with his punishment and he pressed on in faithfulness.   “I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” Some translations say, “Brand-marks of Jesus.” A brand on an animal is a sign of ownership. The animal belongs to a certain owner. So too, what Paul suffered at the hands of others he took as a branding. He belonged to Jesus and his suffering was proof as to whom he belonged.   Where are your brand-marks? Maybe it is in a broken relationship since you came to faith in Christ. Perhaps it is an attack by someone who rejected Christ when you tried to share with them. For many Christians around the world today it is in the physical suffering of pain and torture that they must endure at the hands of evil men, as Paul endured what Alexander did to him.   In the West, our brand-marks are shallow, and delivered with a spiritual branding iron that is not so hot. But in places like Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and others, the brand-marks are like Paul’s—physical, painful, disfiguring.   Remember that passage in Philippians 4:13? “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Many people interpret this to mean they can accomplish anything. But that is not what this passage means. Paul was suffering in prison when it wrote it. It might better be rephrased like this: “I can endure all things through him who strengthens me.”   What are you willing to endure for Jesus?   Memory Verse   “I can all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).   Application:   What are you afraid to endure for the name of Christ? Make a list of things that scare you that you fear God might call you to endure for his name. Pray over each item on your list and ask the Lord to do that which will bring him the most glory. Then, as best as you can, surrender your fear to him.

“If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).   Have you ever had a critical spirit? You see someone doing something wrong, or perhaps engaged in a habitual behavior that needs addressing and you address it with judgment, or a critical spirit? Why is it that Christians seem to so easily fall into the habit of criticalism?   One answer is found in the scripture itself. When we read the Bible we see many mentions of sins which displease God. From the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17 to the unrepentant sins of Revelation 22:11, the Bible is filled with descriptions of sin, their consequences, and sometimes their punishment. We look at these and it’s easy to identify the behavior of others against these things. Thus, we judge.   There is a place for judgment. But, more so, there is a place for mercy. The person who is truly spiritual doesn’t concern himself with a person’s judgment, except to rescue him from it. That’s why Paul says, “You who are spiritual should restore him.” Did you catch that? The spiritual thing to do is to restore, not condemn or be critical. And we must do so in a, “Spirit of gentleness.”   Do you want to be like Christ in this? Recall God’s declaration of his name in Exodus 34:6-7. While God described himself as wrathful against sin, that is not the first thing he said. When asked to reveal himself, God said, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” Now, this isn’t all that he said, but the important point is to remember that this is what he started with. God’s first concern is to forgive, restore, build up and encourage. He doesn’t want to express wrath if he doesn’t have to. And so, he choose these things first, before judgment. And in the life and death of Christ he made punishment an act of mercy.   Memory Verse   “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).   Application   When you sense a critical spirit coming on, ask yourself if the situation really requires it. How can you act differently?

“Those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:21).   The more that we examine the writings of the apostle Paul, the more we come to the conclusion that Paul chose his words very carefully. He didn’t write about things willy nilly. He chose specific words to communicate specific meaning that we might have an exact understanding of God, his nature, and his promises. And Paul used his language very carefully in today’s passage.   Notice what Paul says in Galatians 5:21. He compares doing something with receiving something .   According to Paul, certain things we do keep us from the kingdom of God. These things are, “Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies” (Galatians 5:19-21). None of these things will be present when the kingdom of God finally comes. Yet, notice what Paul does NOT say. He does not say that we must do certain things to inherit the kingdom. He does not say that we must perform or earn our way in. Instead he uses the word, inherit . And no one inherits by deeds. Inheritance comes through relationship.   The deeds of inheritance happen as a result of inheritance, not because we’ve earned it. What are those deeds? “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Notice that Paul doesn’t say that we do these things. Instead he calls them, “Fruit of the Spirit.” We don’t do these things on our own. They are an expression of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives after we have been declared heirs. So, while the deeds of our own nature, the flesh, keep us from the kingdom, it is the deeds of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives that demonstrate we are heirs and in the kingdom.   You are part of God’s kingdom because your relationship to Christ makes you a co-heir with him.   Memory Verse   “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25).   Application   Your deeds are important. They are an expression either of your sinful nature, or of God’s work in your life. How would you like to express yourself today? What things to you expect to happen today that need to be addressed through the fruit of the Spirit?

“I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do” (Galatians 5:16-17).   Have you ever had the experience of wanting to do one thing, but you end up doing something else? I don’t mean in terms of daily deeds. I mean in terms of behaviors. You want to respond gracefully, but anger take hold instead. You want to express forgiveness, but find a secret desire to hold a grudge and see the other person fail or embarrassed. You want to love a difficult person, but find hatred or dismissal in your heart. These are all things that all of us have experienced from time to time. It is like a war going on inside of us, two sides of our nature doing battle with one another. And one side is easy to dominate because it is so easy to obey. It’s easier to hold a grudge than it is to forgive. It’s easier to hate than it is to love. The negative aspects of our character are to easy to obey. But things like love, respect, and honor take a conscious decision to express and hold onto. It is, in no uncertain terms, a war.   Paul’s word in this passage from Galatians are battle language. When faced with a difficult choice, you must take a side. You must do battle with your own nature. If you ignore the battle and simply want it to go away, you will lose to your basic instincts every time. But if you choose the spiritual, then you will have a fight on your hands. But, if you stick to it, you will win, and strengthen yourselves for the next battle to come.   And it comes every day.   Walking by the Spirit is hard, but not impossible. For we are not walking according to a mere set of principles. We are walking with the Holy Spirit who inhabits us. So, the victory we can have is one given by his power when we submit to him. Yes, we have two natures, but we only need to live according to one, with the power of the Holy Spirit.   Memory Verse   “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).   Application   Whatever you are faced with today, make a choice for the spiritual. Then make it again tomorrow. And the next day. And the next day. And so on.