Posts that reference the book of Philippians

The Mind of Christ

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5

What was Christ’s mind, His attitude?

It was one of confident humility. He was assured of where He stood before His Father, so there was no need to strive for recognition or position.

It was one of committed purpose. He willingly walked the path God laid out for Him.

It was one of unquestioning obedience. Even when it meant death.

It resulted in exaltation.

Too often I want to skip the attitude and go straight for the results.

That’s not the mind of Christ.

Remodeling

By Paula Wiseman

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. I John 3:2 NKJV

I am in the process of redoing my office. The plaster has all been replaced with drywall. I have new windows to install, and this week we bought paint and ordered carpet. Then there’s the new ceiling fan and light. Right now, though, it’s empty, useless, covered in drywall dust, and dark. It takes a special vision to see it for what it will be rather than what it is.

Now my office will be so much nicer when the windows are in. Then when it’s painted it will look brand new. The carpet will give it that finished look, but it won’t be my office until we move everything back in and I start to use it.

Then it hit me. We as believers are the same way. Jesus is doing a tremendous remodeling work in each of us. The theological name for that process is sanctification, and the truth is, it won’t be finished in this life. We will see huge changes and improvements, but we won’t be finished and fully ready for service until the next life.

It takes a very special vision to see ourselves and each other for what we will be – the way God sees us – rather than what we are now. In the meantime, maybe we can treat ourselves, and each other, with a little extra grace, knowing we are all works in progress. Yes, perfection will come, but not for a while. Best of all, I don’t have to make it happen. Neither do you.

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6 NASB

Reflecting

By Paula Wiseman

Except for a few weeks in the summer, it's dark when I run. This time of year, it's dark the entire time I'm out, so for safety's sake, my reflective vest is required equipment. I used to rely on white shirts, and as long as I'm on the track or at the park, I guess those are adequate. But out on the road I need something better

In the same way, running our Christian race, we run in a really dark world and it's critical that we reflect Jesus. Oh sure, in the safety of our churches and our circle of friends, we might be able to get by with just our white shirts. On the dark streets, though, the reflected light shines brighter than any shirt ever could.

So as you get your running gear on, are you relying on your shirt, or are you reflecting Jesus?

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Phil 2:14-16 ESV

A Door God Never Closed

By Paula Wiseman

A little over sixteen years ago, after trying for years to have a baby, my husband and I began to think that maybe God was calling us to be adoptive parents. Then we had Lauren. And Alan. And I had gestational diabetes, so we weren't really anxious to try again. So adoption began to look like a possibility again. Then we had Rachel. And now I'm old. But God never closed that door.

This past January, on an icy day when church services were canceled, Jon and I had a talk. We looked at what adoption would cost. We looked at our finances. We considered our five passenger car that would need to be replaced. We did the math, and there was no way. Lauren starts college in three years. We looked at each other, and agreed–we had no idea how, but we couldn't see how we could NOT adopt. That's what we told God.

It seemed God smiled as He took our "loaves and fishes" and said, "Don't worry. I got this." Here's what He's done so far.

Book sales took off. February was one of my best months.

We got a tax refund.

Jon got the best raise he's gotten in years.

We are a long way from finished with this adventure. In fact, we're just at the "mounds of paperwork" part. But we're "confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in [us] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

If you had an extra prayer we'd sure appreciate you remembering us and the little one God has picked out for us. I promise to keep you posted. Stay tuned!

Running with Endurance

By Paula Wiseman

Last Monday, I ran farther than I had ever run before – nearly 7 miles. I left the house a little after 5 and got home around 6:15. I ran the whole time. 72 minutes. (Yeah, I'm pretty slow.) Not only that, but it was my third straight "longest ever." I'm not doing anything different than what I did last summer when I couldn't break 5.5 miles. Well, maybe there's one thing different – I'm learning the mental side to running. I'm learning my body can do more than I realized if I don't give in to its whining. I'm also learning to listen to my internal "coach" and not the "critic." Who knows, I may be running a half marathon before the season is out.

Of course, all this has a spiritual application. We can do far more for the cause of Christ than we realize ("all things," the apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:13). However, it is all too easy to listen to that voice inside. You know, the one that says, "That will never work." Or, "You're not qualified." Or, "You're just one person. You'll never make a difference."

How would things change if we listened to our Holy Spirit "coach" instead? What would our families and churches and neighborhoods be like if we grabbed hold of, "You have everything you need. You've got this." Or, "That discomfort is because you're doing something. Keep going!" Or "Look how far you've gone!"

When God called us, He equipped us. We can do the ministry He's given us to do. We can. He has infused us with the Holy Spirit. But we have to make the effort and we have to endure.

(A side note: Endure doesn't mean "exhaust yourself." Sometimes we have to make sure we are running the race God has laid out and not running extra miles someone else piles on us.)

Bottom line- Don't quit. Hang on and push through, and you'll start to see amazing things happen.

"…[L]et us run with endurance the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:1

(PS- I'm shooting for 8 miles by the end of the month!)

Study Tip: Philippians

By Paula Wiseman

Philippians is the feel good book of the New Testament. I love this book. Chapter 1 encourages us to hang in there and keep growing. Paul's description of how Christ humbled Himself in chapter 2 gives me chills every time I read it. In chapter 3 Paul tells us what his salvation means to him. Then chapter 4 finishes with some of the most encouraging words in all of Paul's writing.

Philippians is short, conversational and personal and it's an easy one-sitting read. If you want to go deeper, here are some things to notice.

This is a very personal letter to the first church Paul planted in Europe. Some of the details of his visit are recorded in Acts 16-17. It is evident he knew and cared deeply for the people there. As you read, notice what Paul says about the church. (A major topic is the generosity of the Philippians.)

Paul describes his situation and asks for the church's prayers. Note the specific concerns, and list the ways he prays for the Philippians.

Keep track of the instructions and encouragements Paul gives the believers in Philippi. This is a great list!

Two key themes are joy (rejoice) and unity (one, same). List the things you learn about each one as you read.

Do you have a favorite verse or passage in Philippians?