Month: April 2016

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Work, Work, Work

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:12-13

My dad used to say, “If it’s worth having, it’s worth working for”. He would often say those words to me when I would talk about the things I wish I had when I was a boy. Back then, I thought it was a convenient excuse for why he wasn’t going to spend the money to get me what I wanted. But now, I see the wisdom in the “working”.

What my dad was trying to teach me was,  if I had everything I wanted given to me, I would not only not appreciate the items, I wouldn’t appreciate what it took to get them. Part of the reward of a job well done is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve accomplished something. Sometimes, that reward is to obtain something you’ve always wanted, knowing now you can now afford it.

Salvation, is the greatest gift anyone can receive. God gives salvation generously to all who ask, but do we appreciate it? St. Paul didn’t teach the Philippians they had to “work” for their salvation…but, he did teach them they had to work to keep it. And, not only that, but to work it out with, “fear and trembling”. If we don’t do something with this great gift, we won’t appreciate what it took God to give it to us – the death of His son.

What are you doing with your salvation? Have you sat it on a shelf like a trophy…maybe even dust it off once in a while? I hope not. But, just how do we work out our own salvation? By serving God as a “Thank You”, and serving each other as a proof that it’s real. Real salvation is a working thing; it proves itself. We obtain it through faith, but keep it through good works. St. James said it like this, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” (Jas. 2:17)

Paul wants us to know that, we too must work to keep our faith alive. And, we work out our faith with fear and trembling because we respect what it took for God to give it to us. But, notice it’s God’s will at work in us through which we actually accomplish this great work. To do the will of God takes resurrection power, so even in our working we can say, “to God be the glory!”

So, what do you want? Then go work for it. But remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Father God, I help me to realize your resurrection power at work within me, and help me to work for your will to be accomplished in my life. Let me do only what you would have me do. Let your thoughts be my thoughts, and your work my work. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: https://www.td.org/Publications/Blogs/Science-of-Learning-Blog/2015/02/Work-Life-Fusion

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Stop Wasting Your Mind

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,

Philippians 2:5-6

“The mind is a terrible thing to waste.” That was an advertising slogan developed in 1972 for the United Negro College Fund; it’s still in use today. So, how do we not waste our minds? According to the advertisement, the experience of going to college is central to not wasting one’s mind. Many minorities were not able to attend college without the help of the UNCF, and were thereby said to be wasting their minds.

Of course, going to college can be a great experience. In a college one learns to open up the mind and challenge his or her own worldview through intellectual stimulus. While it is always worthy to stimulate our minds intellectually, I doubt that’s what St. Paul was thinking when writing the Philippians. Paul understood that faith was not just about changing our minds, but rather transforming them according to the pattern of Jesus.

In this world we are constantly being molded and shaped by something: family, friends, preaching, teaching, and world opinion. But, to be transformed in Christ we must set our pattern for thinking and learning according to the very way of Jesus Christ. In Romans 12:2, Paul said, “And do not be conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” And, in verse one he tells us the only way to such transformation is to make a living sacrifice of our lives.

Certainly we can’t adopt fully the mind of Christ as we are human and He is the divine God/Man. So, just what aspect of Jesus’ mind is the great Apostle admonishing us to adopt – His humility. If there is any attribute in Christ that He would have us to like, it is His humility. Jesus, who was God made flesh, did not come in such a way as to rule over humanity, but to serve. Then, in the power of His resurrection, He rose up to rule over all the world. And, if we will serve as He did in this world, we too shall reign with Him in the next.

Can there be a greater pathway to transforming our minds than humble service? Our serving others in true humility is only possible through the resurrection power of Christ at work in us. If you’re not actively seeking to be transformed according to the humble ways of Jesus, through daily surrender to Him, you’re not of the mind that is in Christ.

So, stop wasting your mind and remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me by your grace to daily surrender to your transforming, resurrecting power. Let all that is in me, that is not of you, die. And, raise me up to be of the mind of your precious son, Jesus my savior. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: https://www.pinterest.com/sharibeckett/the-mind-of-christ/

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Giants in the Kingdom

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

Philippians 2:3

Ever notice how batteries and memory chips in today’s electronics have gotten smaller, yet exponentially more powerful? Real power can be found in small packages. The same is true in life. The real stature of a person has nothing to do with size.

Too often people equate size with power. For instance, in the modern era, taller men have been seen as stronger leaders in military and politics. Even in fairy tales, there’s always a giant in the kingdom who holds all the power. Yet in reality, physical size and looks have nothing to do with one’s ability to think or lead. So why do we tend to think in such terms? Because we look on the outside, rather than the inside.

However, God always looks on the inside. The truth is real leadership is born out of a humble nature, and St. Paul shows us the life of Jesus as our example. In the opening verses of Philippians chapter two, we see Paul calling believers to have the same mind and character as Jesus. People are not usually drawn to follow conceited personalities. Humility always trumps haughtiness.

True leaders always put the interests of those they lead above their own. The ability to do so, to lay down selfish ambition and esteem others as better than ourselves, is not part of our human nature, it reflects real power –resurrection power. Do you sense that power within you?

Are you living dad to day in the power of the resurrection, finding victory even in what looks like defeat? Let’s face it, life can seem to defeat us if we only see the need to raise ourselves up. But, when we stop putting ourselves and our ambitions first, and begin to see our life as a tool for Christ to love others through, then we find the quiet, confident power of the resurrection at work within us. Then, He raises us up to be giants in His kingdom.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father God, forgive me for my selfish and conceited ways. Help me to live daily in the power of your resurrection that allows others to see you and your spirit, in and through me. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/07/08/how-tall-are-the-2016-presidential-candidates

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Hurt So Good

29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,

Philippians 1:29

The American Pop Philosopher, John Cougar Mellencamp sang, “Sometimes love don’t feel like it should. You make it, hurt so good”. Somehow, I don’t think John was talking about Jesus – but he was right. Jesus can make our suffering and pain hurt so good. Suffering can actually breed strength. Sounds ironic, doesn’t it?

The world doesn’t comprehend such thinking. In the eyes of the world, suffering often means weakness, or at least bad luck. But, the New Testament turns the wisdom of the world upside down. The Philippian people were suffering for their new found faith in Jesus Christ. Indeed St. Paul was writing from prison, and for nothing more than being a Christian. Suffering seems to be the common denominator uniting all followers of Jesus through the ages.

Why is it we are called to suffer? Because Jesus suffered, and the servant is not greater than his master. Paul speaks of our suffering as something we are “granted”, as if it’s a privilege similar to the gift of faith. Sadly, many do not see suffering as a gift from God. In fact, we often pray to avoid suffering and pain.

While we shouldn’t go looking for suffering, it’s imperative that we not try to avoid it when it comes. Suffering, when properly understood is redemptive. We can take comfort in knowing that in all suffering we have the resurrection power of Jesus to sustain us. God will not allow a burden of suffering, for which He also does not give the strength to endure.

The strength to endure suffering in any form, is the strength of Christ at work in us; it is the redeeming power of the cross, and the triumphant power of the resurrection. Could there be a greater compliment? Our Father has trusted us with the character to live as over-comers, even as did Jesus. So remember, if you are currently suffering, you’re not alone. All who suffer unite at the Cross of Christ, for it has been granted to us, even as our faith.

And remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

God of all mercy, help me not to avoid the suffering I am called to endure in this life. But, rather help me to unite my suffering with your cross that others may come to see you, and I may come to know you better. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://myat40.wikia.com/wiki/John_Cougar:Hurts_So_Good

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The Life You’re Meant to Live

“21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

I think if St. Paul had heard Bobby McFerrin’s song “Don’t Worry”, he would have included those lyrics in the Book of Philippians. Can’t you just heart it… “Don’t worry, be happy”! I often meet Christian people who are so caught up in their cares and problems they don’t really enjoy life. I must confess…I’ve been there too. When that happens, we need to be reminded of Paul’s words – “To live is Christ”.

As followers of Jesus, we need to follow Him in all our being, not just in belief. Our faith should make all the difference in how we approach this life. Paul is saying that to live in this world is to live as Christ would live in it. That doesn’t mean we never have cares and concerns, Jesus had many. Remember His agony in the garden? And, how about all those long nights spent in prayer instead of sleeping? It means we don’t let our cares steal our joy.

“To live is Christ” means we live with an eternal optimism that no matter what happens to us in this world, we will make it through. The power of the resurrection is the power of His Spirit within us to overcome all obstacles. And, even if we die trying, guess what… “to die is gain”!

Sometimes we fail to live with the assurance that death isn’t the end of life, it’s the beginning. Only in death will we fully realize the power of the resurrection, when God raises up even our physical bodies from the grave to life eternal. When we leave this world behind, we also leave time behind. It will seem as if in the twinkling of an eye we’ll all be together again in the resurrection on the last day, until then remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, restore to me the joy of my salvation. Help me to see you and your victory in all I face in this world, until at last I am victorious with you in Heaven. Amen. Alleluia!

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When the Ugly Becomes Beautiful

“12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,”

Do you live with regret for things in your past? Most people do, but a sad way to live. Certainly no one’s past is perfect, and their will always be things of a sinful nature we wish we hadn’t done. But, what about the testimony of the gospel to make something beautiful out of something ugly?

We serve a God who has promised to make all things in our lives work for good, somehow, someway (Rom. 8:28). It may be hard to see how some of your past can actually lead to something good, especially the deep, hurtful things. But, think about it with me for a moment. You wouldn’t be who you are today if not for those things

I know someone reading this can say “But what about that horrible violent thing that happened to me?” Of course, you wish that hadn’t happened…but it did. And, God wants to use ALL of your past to make you who He wants you to be. The testimony of who you are in Christ today is so much stronger because of what you’ve been through. God has redeemed your life from the pit.

St. Paul was writing the Philippians from Jail. Jail is certainly embarrassing. Today if one our church leaders was put in jail, we’d probably wonder what they did wrong. Well, like your past, it’s not always about what you did wrong. Sometimes bad things happen to innocent people, like Paul…perhaps like you.

Paul was confident the gospel message he preached was going to be even stronger because of his chains. We too can know that God wants to use our entire life’s testimony as a powerful witness to His resurrection power. Go ahead. Hold your head high no matter what you’ve done in the past. Our God is in the business of making something beautiful out of something ugly. Remember, you’re a child of the King, He loves you, and so do I.

And remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Father of all mercy, thank you for saving my life from the pit. Thank you for making me your beautiful child. Help me to be a witness to your resurrecting, and remaking power in this lost and broken world. Amen. Alleluia!

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The Secret of Fruitfulness

“10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, 11 being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ,to the glory and praise of God.”

Perfection, for us humans, can only be found within the context of Jesus’ resurrection. Quite often, we don’t even try to live a perfect life because it seems futile. We are reminded over and over each day that we are fallible. But, the life of Christ calls us to be sincere in our efforts for righteousness.

It seems we too often forget that all our “fruits of righteousness” are “by Jesus Christ,”. Without the resurrection power of Jesus at work in our hearts we have nothing with which to truly praise God. He raised us up in His power to live righteous and holy lives; that’s the message of new life in Christ that comes to us at Easter. Should we not then try to live holy?

The power of the resurrection was actualized in the life of the first believers on the day of Pentecost. The risen Christ had ascended but He had not left them alone, and neither does He leave us alone. We have the Holy Spirit who brings resurrection power to our lives; He is the secret power of our fruitfulness.

I find great hope in St. Paul’s encouragement to the Philippians to “approve the things that are excellent,” and to “live without offense”. If you aren’t seeing any fruitfulness in your life, perhaps you haven’t discovered the right source of power – the secret of His fruitfulness. As you begin a new day, won’t you consider how you should be living. Put your trust in Jesus to bring His fruits to bear in your life.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Lord of life, you call all people to be holy. Show me the fruit of your resurrection blooming in my life, that I may approve all things that are excellent to the glory of your Name. Amen. Alleluia!

image credit: http://www.revelatrium.com/all-fruitfulness-flows-from-intimacy-theres-no-other-place-to-get-it/

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What’s Love Got To Do With It?

 “9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,”

Grammy Award winner, Tina Turner asked a question we all need to consider when we think about living in the power of the resurrection. Her 1984 hit single asked, “What’s love got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but a sweet old fashioned notion?” Sadly, Tina was asking her questions with a broken heart and broken hearts rarely tell the truth; they simply tell us how we feel in the moment. But, God has a word for us today about love.

Love is the essence of God, and it’s more than just a “second hand emotion”. God shares his love with us, and through his resurrection power we participate in it. The more we learn about God, the closer we grow to Him. The closer we grow to Him, the more we love Him. And, the more we love Him, the more we love his world and everything in it.

St. Paul prayed for the Philippians’ love to “abound still more and more”. He knew if they could grow in love, they would become more Christ like. Living out the love of Christ is what wins the lost and overcomes evil. We all need love – the love of God as well as one another.

Broken hearts hurt. Human love will let us down, but God’s love knows no bounds. Does your heart hurt? If so, let God’s love heal it; it’s not a second hand emotion, it’s THE greatest emotion of all. As you journey through this Easter season, let the love of God well in you richly until it overflows like a river out of bounds. Like a flood, the waters of God’s love will fill every place and cannot be held back.

Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Loving Heavenly Father, I want to know the depth of your love. Heal me through your love such that it may overflow through me to others. Amen. Alleluia!

Image credit: http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-star-cinema/photos/2014/05/weekend-movie-marathon-may-31.html

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You Can Do It!

6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

How confident are you in your Christian faith? I meet people all the time who believe in Jesus, but live as though they’re not really sure about all His promises. You know, promises like He’ll never leaving us, always hearing our prayers, and the big one – “I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.” (Phil. 4:13) If you can resonate with those doubts, today’s devotion is just for you.

If we are ever going to live the victorious Christian life in the power God, we must be confident people; not over confident in ourselves, that would be arrogant. But, confident in the work Christ began in us when He regenerated us by His Holy Spirit. St. Paul knew the Philippians needed that confidence, and so do we.

God doesn’t do anything half-way. When we experienced Gods’ saving grace, at whatever point in life that happened, we entered into “new life” in Christ. In our “new life”, we were made into a, “new creation”. The old self is gone. The old self didn’t have the power to be confident in Christ, but the new one does; it does so because it comes in the resurrection power of Christ. The power that raised Christ physically, raises us spiritually.

Today, if you are “in Christ”, you can be confident that through all things you will face, you will have victory in Jesus. There will never be a day when God is not at work in you. Remember, Christ is risen…and so are you!

Grace & Peace,

+Pastor Brad

Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for saving me, and for giving me your resurrection power to face all things. Help me to be confident in your power at work in me. Amen. Alleluia!

image credit: http://humansareweird.com/2012/12/27/are-you-lacking-in-self-confidence/

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It’s More Than A Potluck Dinner

It’s More Than a Potluck Dinner

3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,

Some mistakenly think that God has given us new life in Christ just so that we can avoid eternal damnation in Hell, and live forever in Heaven. The mistake isn’t in believing those who are in Christ will escape Hell and inherit Heaven, (It’s true) but rather it’s in thinking this is the primary reason for salvation. The primary reason for our salvation is to restore our “fellowship” with God our Creator. And, to be restored to fellowship with God is to be restored to fellowship with the entire body of Christ; indeed, even all of humanity.

St. Paul points out the importance of this “fellowship”. The Greek word rendered here as “fellowship” is “koinonia”, which means far more than simply hanging out together or having a potluck dinner. The Greek meaning speaks to real communion, a sharing or participating in one another; with our God, and with each other. Such communion is only possible by the power of the resurrection.

The power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that gives eternal life to our mortal bodies, and binds us together as the body of Christ. So, the fellowship we share is rightly said to be in “the gospel”, not just in our own human connecting. In Christ, we have a real solidarity with humanity, regardless our sex, race, or creed. His resurrection power is what breaks down our walls and brings reconciliation.

To be in Christ is to be raised from the dead, for He has trampled down all death, by His own death. He has given us the power of His resurrection, but it remains for each us to awake to that power, and daily live in it. So, the next time you’re feeling powerless, remember the resurrection power which is at work within you.

Christ is Risen!

+Pastor Brad

Father, open my eyes that I may see and know the power of your resurrection that is at work in me, in my communion with You, and all humanity. Amen. Alleluia!