New Years Resolutions

Dr. David Jeremiah's latest newsletter offers these "7 Steps Toward a More Energized Life in Christ."

1. Spend time with Him. Relationships are made and fostered by the time we spend functioning within them. Spend time with your Lord in prayer and study of His Word Reconnect through talking with the Lord of Lords.

2. Take obedience to the Lord seriously. The Lord's commands are made out of love for us. He laid them out in His Word so that we might best find His blessings, and to help us avoid the pitfalls of living in this world.

3. Recognize your sinfulness, and recommit your life to the Lord. Make a spiritual contract with the Lord.

4. Dive into worship. Worshiping the Lord does not have to be just singing along with the choir on Sunday. While that is good and it honors God, you can also worship Him while going for a walk in His beautiful creation, while marveling at the works He is doing around the world, or recognizing and appreciating the provision that He makes in your life.

5. Start to tithe. The Lord promises to provide for you and bless you when you are faithful in giving back to Him.

6. Start serving others. Become the hands of Christ as you serve others and allow the Lord to work through you.

7. Give thanks to the Lord for all the blessings that He has placed in your life.

That's a much better list than most of us usually make.

Happy New Year!

The Most Awesome Fishing Trip

SCRIPTURE

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Matthew 4:19-20 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

OBSERVATION

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Jesus left home that morning and began to teach and as he arrived at the Sea of Galilee the soon to be disciples were cleaning their nets from having fished all night. Next thing they know they are receiving an invitation to go on another fishing trip.

We may feel like we are over worked, don’t have the time or we may require more information about God’s mission for us, but despite their lack of sleep or lack of information about what this new vocation would be, the disciples joyfully accepted the invite to work with our Lord and immediately followed him wherever he was going without looking back.

APPLICATION

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I will not make excuses about why I cannot tell the good news or participate in ministry wherever the Lord is asking me to go.

PRAYER

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Help me to be bold Lord so that I will make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel and to work for your kingdom. I want to be useful for your work.

I Am Not Worthy

SCRIPTURE

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Matthew 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

OBSERVATION

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Jesus has been in Nazareth for thirty years just growing up and experiencing life from our perspective. Now it is time to begin his ministry. I wonder why he wasn’t allowed to start his ministry before then. It must have seemed like forever to be here for thirty years, but even Jesus didn’t begin his ministry until it was time.

We will never know why Jesus insisted that he had to be baptized by John, was it just an example for us to follow or was it more? The Pharisees had a ceremony of washing which was made up by human invention that Jesus seems to be rejecting for a new ordinance that is ordained by God.

In being baptized Jesus pleased the father and the Holy Spirit as we can see from verses 16 and 17.

John the Baptist was a great man with a huge following when Jesus begins his public ministry. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11:11: I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist.

John kept himself humble despite his success in ministry, he was right to reject the idea that he should baptize our Lord.

God has further honors in reserve for those whose spirits continue low when their reputation rises. –Matthew Henry Commentary

APPLICATION

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Keep yourself in perspective, when God uses you don’t think that it has anything to do with you, it is his will and his purpose that prevail.

PRAYER

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Thank you Lord, for finding me useful for you despite my short comings. I pray that I will be humble and dependent on you in everything that I do.

Worship Christ the Newborn King

Scripture

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Matthew 2:1-8  Now when the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of Herod the king, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,2 Saying, Where is the King of the Jews whose birth has now taken place? We have seen his star in the east and have come to give him worship.3 And when it came to the ears of Herod the king, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And he got together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, questioning them as to where the birth-place of the Christ would be. 5 And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea; for so it is said in the writings of the prophet, 6 You Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the chiefs of Judah: out of you will come a ruler, who will be the keeper of my people Israel.

7 Then Herod sent for the wise men privately, and put questions to them about what time the star had been seen. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and make certain where the young child is; and when you have seen him, let me have news of it, so that I may come and give him worship.

Luke 2:15-20  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Observation

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There are a lot of different people involved in the story of Jesus birth, each of them with their own response to the appearance of the God of the universe coming down to earth as a man.

He had come to earth before; he visited with Adam in the garden and with Moses and Abraham, he spoke directly to the prophets. But now he was down here on earth as much one of us as he could possibly become, he breathed our air, dealt with temptation, and experienced our heartaches and disappointments.

The various reactions the people had when they learned of the noble birth are the same as the reactions that people have today. Just like the inn keeper, some are too busy to care. Some are like Herod and are violently opposed to our Lord. But most people are just indifferent and don’t understand why it matters.

The only appropriate response to Jesus birth was to worship him, it is amazing that he would come to be with us and begin a journey that would lead him to a cruel death on a Roman cross.

Application

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I will not be like the religious leaders that Herod consulted with, they knew the facts of the Christmas story but they didn’t care about seeking the savior and giving him the reverent love and devotion that he deserved.

I will not be like the inn keeper that didn’t have room in his life for Jesus in his life.
I will not be like all the people that the shepherds told the good news to that didn’t respond by following the shepherds back to the manger.

Prayer

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I will worship you Jesus for all that you went through for me. Help me to never stop being amazed that you came to earth to start a long journey that would lead you to a cruel end, an end that would give me the greatest present that I could ever receive.

Psalms 147:11 The Lord takes pleasure in his worshipers, and in those whose hope is in his mercy.

A New Way To Live - Get more of these things!

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

OBSERVATION

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Yesterday Paul told us to get rid of the old characteristics of our sin nature. Today we learn what we need to get more of, and more and more of will be even better.

Here in Colossians we have a picture of the perfect Christ follower. What an incredible list of character traits that we are to strive for.

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, bear with each other and
forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,

Who can get enough of these traits in their personality? The church would be so much more effective for the Lord if we displayed more of these characteristics, then the world would be beating a path to our church doors.

Maybe the most difficult thing to do is to let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. There is a lot of chaos and hurt involved in the human experience on this planet and it is hard to look beyond this existence to the hope we have in the ever after with God (Colossians 1:3-6).

APPLICATION

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I will look to Jesus as my example to imitate. I will try to love people and show more kindness.

PRAYER

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Help me Jesus to become more like you each day by displaying these traits more and more.

A New Way to Live... Get rid of these things

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 3:1  If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth. 3 For your life on earth is done, and you have a secret life with Christ in God. 4 At the coming of Christ who is our life, you will be seen with him in glory.

OBSERVATION

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Even though I became a Christian at nine years old, I still made a lot of wrong choices and didn't allow the Lord to have control of my life . I didn’t begin to live up to the way of life that Jesus calls us to live until not too many years ago.

For most of my life I have been a Christian and was sure of my salvation, but I didn’t live with my “mind on the higher things.” I lived for too many years with the same way of thinking that the non-Christian has, my mind was on the things of this earth that Paul list in Colossians 3:

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,

Just a basic list of “little” sins, I am still a good person, everybody does them, what’s the big deal? The Bible says in verse 6 that because of these “little” sins the wrath of God is coming.

Not that any of us can possibly die to self completely but our way of life should be much different from how the average Christian lives. There are way too many of these traits that are prevalent in the church, stirring up trouble and hurting the cause of Christ. It is sad that the world looks at the church and thinks “why do I need that, they are not any better than I am.”

APPLICATION

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It is easy to get caught up in the cares of this world and pursue our own interest, I will be careful to stay away from these little sins and “give my attention to the things of heaven.”

PRAYER

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Help me Jesus to live as you called me to live; I want to be pleasing to you. Help me to live different so that the world will see the difference and be curious about this new way of live.

What is Truth? Are you sure?

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 2:1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

OBSERVATION

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I love the statement that Pilate makes at the mock trial of Jesus. During the trial he asks “what is truth?” (John 18:38).

That’s a question that we all have to ask throughout our lives.

On one level you ask that question so that man does not take advantage of you, whether it is about someone scamming you financially or someone trying to harm you physically.

On another level we are all seeking real truth, something that you can build your life on, something that is real and unchanging, something more than hollow and deceptive philosophy.

It is amazing how many churches that Satan is very pleased with, churches that have given in to the deception that the Bible is okay with the homosexual lifestyle, some Christians even feel that abortion is no big deal.

We received Christ through faith and then we are to become firmly rooted in him so that we can resist the urge to follow some other way. There is only one truth and there are so many other ways that man has devised to make himself right with God, so many that it would be easy to fall for something else other than Christ alone as our savior.

APPLICATION

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I will stay in the word so that I will be grounded in what I believe and then I can stand firm.

PRAYER

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Thank you Lord, for providing a solid truth that we can live by in this chaotic world. There could be difficult days ahead for the church under a liberal president, I pray that we will be uncompromising in our faith.

Cheer Up Child of God

You have a great reason to have hope.

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 1:3  We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints— 5  the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6  that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

OBSERVATION

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Many of God's people today act like they don't have any hope but nothing could be further from the truth. We have the greatest hope stored up inside of us, a hope that should sustain us in every trial that comes our way in this temporary existence.

Our hope should cause us to live differently because the more we fix our hopes on the greatness of heaven, the freer we will become in doing good things and showing love down here. In fact Paul says that because of our hope we should have faith and love (Col 1:5).

I will dare to say that a person that doesn't show much of either faith or love maybe really is not a follower of Christ.

I have a great hope that the world cannot understand, because of that hope I will live with faith in Christ and love for those around me.

1 Peter 3:15 Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

APPLICATION

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This is the day that the Lord has made and I am going to rejoice and be glad it (Psalms 118:24).

PRAYER

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Father help us to remember that this life is only a temporary assignment, thank you that I have a far better existence coming my way in just a little while.

It's all about him.

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

OBSERVATION

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Jesus is:

• The image of the invisible God.
• The firstborn over all creation (For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.)
• He is before all things.
• In him all things hold together.
• The head of the body, the church.
• The beginning and the firstborn from among the dead.
• Supreme.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

APPLICATION

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I will remember that it is all about Jesus, fully God, he created everything and he did it for his own purpose.

There are a lot of imitation “gods” being worshiped but there is only one real deal, the one that preserved his word from thousands of years ago, the one that said that he would come and redeem us and then he did it and came back from the dead to demonstrate his power over death.

PRAYER

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Thank you for being in control, for giving us a Savior, for being so awesome.

God Gives The Power

SCRIPTURE

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Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

28 We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.

OBSERVATION

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It wasn’t Paul’s choice that made him an apostle; he is a servant by God’s commission.

I am sure that there are a lot of people doing great things for the Lord that forget where the credit belongs for “their” ministry. Paul knew that he was chosen by God for a specific task to make Christ known to the gentiles (Colossians 1:25-27). Paul could have thought that he was in the ministry because he went to the Pharisee version of seminary, he was very well learned in the scriptures, but no it was totally God’s decision to use Paul.

God gave Paul the energy for the job.

When God gives you a job to do he will always supply the ability to do the job, he is not going to command us to do something that we cannot possibly do. Paul was adequate for the job of proclaiming Christ to the Gentiles even though he was beaten or thrown in jail. One of the most incredible stories in the book of Acts is when he was left for dead outside of Lystra and then he went back into the town and continued his mission trip (Acts 14:19). I am thinking that this guy should be in the hospital but there he goes right on to the next town (Acts 14:20-21).

APPLICATION

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I need to stay focused on the work that God has called me to do and not be discouraged by other people that may choose to beat me down.

PRAYER

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Thank you Lord for calling me to be on mission for you, I pray that I will remember the source of my calling and where the energy comes from to do the job. Give me wisdom in leadership. I pray for the coming men’s conference to be a success that will change many men in our city.

Imagine Peace

SCRIPTURE

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Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

OBSERVATION

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There isn't a lot of peace in the world today, wars, weather catastrophes, the economy. But through all this and more Paul tells us that we can live above it all.

Paul was a Roman citizen and before his conversion he was a Pharisee, he was probably used to an affluent lifestyle. I am sure that it was a big change after his conversion, after wards he become a traveling preacher that had to rely on the people that he had won for Christ to donate financial support. From the world’s perspective he was "poor Paul he lost so much by following Jesus", but from Paul’s perspective he had never been better off or was he ever so content, he had real peace (verse 10-12).

...and the God of peace will be with you.

Paul connects the way that we live and the purity of our thoughts with how close to God we are and how much of his peace that we have.

The way that we live should include a thought life that is full of thoughts that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable. The way that we live should reflect the way Paul lived and the things that he taught.

THEN we will be able to live with the peace of God that passes all understanding (verse 7).

APPLICATION

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I will guard my thoughts and continue with my memory verses to help fill my head with your word.

PRAYER

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I thank you Lord for the times that I lived with plenty and the times that I have lived with little. You are my source of peace no matter how well off I am.

Instructions On Standing Firm

SCRIPTURE

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Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

OBSERVATION

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I was always taught that when you see a “therefore” in scripture then you should find out what it is “there for.” It is easy to keep reading and miss the point but if we look at the previous verses Paul will tell us “how you should stand firm in the Lord.”

So what did Paul say in the previous verses in chapter 3?

• Rejoice in the Lord!
• Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil (that would be the false teachers)
• Glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh (remember where your salvation came from).
• Consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (that is your attitude check as you travel through this temporary world).
• Press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me (reach out for the things that will last).
• Press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
• Let us live up to what we have already attained (strive to live in accordance to what you have already learned).
• Join with others in following my example,
• Eagerly await a Savior from heaven (if you are anxious about his return then you will live different).

APPLICATION

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I need to live this way so that I will stand firm and be ready when Christ returns.

PRAYER

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Thank you Jesus for your word, which gives us clear instructions on how to live and to please you. I pray that I will be found eagerly waiting for your return and living to please you.

Somebody Throw Out The Bowl Of Lemons

SCRIPTURE

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Philippians 3:1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord!

1 Thessalonians 5:16 Be joyful always.

Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

OBSERVATION

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There sure are a lot of sucking-on-lemons Christians walking around. Why is it that the one group of people that have the best reason to celebrate are many times the ones that are so down?

We should not have to be told to be happy! Do you realize what has been done for you? Do you realize what you were spared from?

Your joy should not be connected to what you have or what you lost. Paul suffered great loss, he has given up an outstanding reputation in the religious system of the day, a zealous, righteous, circumcised, Pharisee from the tribe of Benjamin. But with all the credentials that he had they were considered worthless garbage to him.

Philippians 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

Your joy should not be connected to the misfortune of your enemy:

Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice,

Don’t rejoice in evil:

1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

Rejoice through your suffering:

1 Peter 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

APPLICATION

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I will remember how much I have been spared from and rejoice that Christ did this for me; nothing else, no matter how sad should be able to take this joy away from me.

PRAYER

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Thank you Jesus, that you loved me enough to take away my impending doom and give me an awesome life with you for eternity.

Living Extreme

SCRIPTURE

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Philippians 2:3-16  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life

OBSERVATION

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It is so much easier to look out for myself than it is to look out for somebody else; it just comes naturally as Charlie Brown’s sister Sally would say:

"All I want is what I have coming to me. All I want is my fair share."

Paul gives us an admonition that we are supposed to follow a better way, to live up to a higher standard, to look out for others with the same attitude that Jesus had. Christ did nothing to look out for himself or to look out for his own interest. He left the glory of heaven to take care of us and to give us the one thing that we definitely could not provide for ourselves.

How often do we go to the extreme that Christ did in helping others that he “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (verse 7)? Being a servant doesn’t sound too appealing to us but it is the lifestyle of Jesus and his disciples.

APPLICATION

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I will perform random acts of kindness today, looking out for others with joy.

PRAYER

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Lord, help me to serve others the way that you would, make me an example of you for others to see.