Listening to the Word

1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2 “…but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others…And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by and became obedient to death – even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:3, 4, 8 Jesus is our example of humility. He is our leader and the head of the body of Christ. Humility is an essential attitude for unity, the experience of being like-minded in spirit and purpose. If we pursue unity of spirit and purpose with others through negotiating away our differences or focusing on a common denominator, but ignore our heart-attitude of humility, we will not succeed. Humility is expressed in considering or valuing others above or better than ourselves. In humility, we look to and anticipate the interests of others. Humility is expressed in obedience and a willingness to die-to-self, take up our cross, and follow Jesus. This humility is radic...

Song 5-8; Philippians 1   “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9, 10 What influence should love have on our discernment and capacity to make good decisions? Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church was that they would grow in their capacity and experience of God’s love (agape). This would shape both their discernment and their character. Motives lie hidden in the depths of our heart. It is to this deeper, hidden place that Paul was praying in order for the church to be transformed by God’s love. It is our motives which deeply impact our decisions and ultimately our character. God is love. His motives toward us are always guided by love. As we learn to know God in greater intimacy, we will become more like him. Inviting God to fill us with his love each day will affect how we view others as well as the way ...

Song 1-4; Ephesians 6   “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would Christ…Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” Ephesians 6:5, 7, 8 Paul used the example of slavery to describe how we are to respond to Christ’s authority in our lives. Do we see Jesus as our owner and boss? Yes, he is our Saviour and Good Shepherd; but, is he also our boss? The attitudes Paul calls for are respect, fear (healthy reverence), sincerity of heart, and wholehearted devotion. For this kind of relationship with Jesus we need to be daily processing our lives with him. We need to be in his presence, listening to his Word. Our obedience to all that he has commanded us to do and to be will be rewarded. Who’s our boss and can others notice? “Lord Jesus, you are my boss and my friend. Your love has transformed me, for ...

Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5   “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” Ephesians 5:3 In an age of self-indulgence where we are conditioned to believe we deserve a treat, a toy, a pleasure, or even an indiscretion, Paul’s call to avoid even a hint of impurity or greed sounds prophetic. In the aftermath of the Spanish flu global pandemic, the “roaring 20’s” were marked by excess and self-indulgence. Are we currently in that kind of season? How is the Church living any differently? Are we defining ourselves as “God’s holy people”, set apart for his pleasure? When we experience and find our pleasure in the Lord, we find joy, peace, love, and fulfillment in ways that strengthen our lives rather than destroy them. What choices must we make today to guard our heart from even a hint of sinful indulgences? “Lord Jesus, you are my great reward. In you I have fo...

Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4   “It is better to go to a house of mourning that go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart…The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.” Ecclesiastes 7:2, 4 In an age where people are trying to look younger and trying to reverse the effects of aging and extend life, Solomon’s words concerning death are a trumpet call. Facing the reality of death and its consequences is wisdom.   In light of our impending death, how then should we live? What changes, new considerations, and priorities should we be taking to heart in light of our unknown date but certain reality of our death? With the many deaths of a pandemic are we becoming wiser as a society regarding our priorities in life? Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He faced and defeated death and offers eternal life now to those who entrust their lives to him. Have we experienced...

Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalms 18; Ephesians 3   “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…to know this love that surpasses knowledge…Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…” Ephesians 3:16-18, 20 Paul’s discipleship and life with God was rooted in the reality of God’s love for him. Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, Paul knew God’s love. This experiential knowledge transformed his whole being and motivated his doing. Our knowing, being, and doing must also be transformed by the reality of God’s love for us in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. When our knowledge of God remains theoretical and our service for God is based on ritual or duty, we are not being transformed by the living presence of Christ. It is the personal indwelling p...