Philippians 1:19-26

Overview:
Paul is confident that because of the prayers of the believers and the help of the Holy Spirit, all will work out okay (his imprisonment). He prays that he will go through his imprisonment with courage not causing shame on the cause of Christ. He is torn between whether he should go home to be with the Lord, or remain there so that he can minister to the churches. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. He believes that God  would have him remain for your progress and joy in the faith so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Application:
To die is the best thing so I can be with the Lord - easy to say, but am I clinging to this life too tightly? I need to make the most of the time that God has given me - to be fruitful for Him. I also need to take care of my physical body - His temple, so that I can be strong to do the work. There is much left to be done... so many people and ministries that God has laid on my heart, but lately there doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to do it all! I must be careful to not try to do more than what God wants me to do. He will give me the strength I need to do HIS will, but not my own, and especially not in my own power.
"Not by might, not by power, but by Your Spirit..."

Philippians 1:12 - 18

Overview:
Paul reflects that his imprisonment has been a good thing because more people have had the opportunity to know Christ (whole imperial guard and all the rest). An added result is that it has created boldness in others to proclaim the gospel - implication being because they see Paul's boldness in speaking to his Roman guards, then surely what do they have to fear? Then he discusses men's motives for preaching the gospel - some do it with sincerity, while others do it to lord it over Paul. He uses words like: rivalry, envy, and to afflict me. But he muses that in either case the gospel message is getting out there, and he can rejoice in that.
Application:
I've read this lots of times before, but I just saw something that had previously escaped me. Paul is talking about fellow believers who are doing God's work with wrong motives. I've seen that first hand, and it has always angered and baffled me. How could the same Holy Spirit who resides in me and convicts me of my wrong motives, how can He not be convicting them? I think He is - has to be, but it shows that we can still do things for Christ - looking good to others, but still be sinning big time because of our wrong motives. And what's more, God may choose to bless them, inspite of their sin - a very hard concept for a very "black and white" kinda gal like me. What I need to take away from this is that it happens, but if ultimately Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice. Have to admit I've got to work on the genuine rejoicing. That last phrase, "Yes, and I will rejoice" - seems to say it's a continual decision, a continual commitment to rejoice - inspite of my questions or concerns, and even when I'm "jealous" that they receive so much attention when I can see right through them.
Lord, help me with my critical spirit! I want to be discerning, but at the same time, I don't want to be sinning by grumbling and complaining because: "Here I am serving you the "right way," and so-in-so isn't, and You continue to bless them too?! What's up with that?!" (Putting it down in writing shows my sinful heart!) I need to continually remind myself, "Candy, who are you doing ____ for? If you are doing it for God, as Colossians reminds us, then God will reward you. If I'm doing it for man's approval, or what usually gets me - my own validation, then I may or may not get it, but  I need to know there is no reward from God, because I wasn't doing it for Him! Whew...most convicting!!!

Philippians 1:1-11

Personal Note:
Just received Dreamweaver today @ 3:15 - yeah!! Three guesses what I'll be doing tonight...

Overview:
Timothy is with Paul and they both warmly greet the church at Philippi. This is yet another one of those great prayers of Paul's that teach us how to pray for fellow believers:

1. thank God for them
2. pray for them continually
3. pray for Christ's work that began in them (salvation) is maturing and will continue to do so until Christ's return
4. with love (holding them in his heart)
5. that their love may be growing (abounding)
6. that they show love and discernment in what they learn (knowledge) so that they can tell what is excellent. 
7. that their Christian walk would be pure and blameless until Christ's return
8. that they would be filled with the fruit of righteousness
9. and that they would bring glory to God

Application:
How can we possibly have disunity among believers if we (I) were praying like this for one another. It can't be done! That tells me when folks are disgruntled, angry or are holding grudges - they are not praying for the person they are harboring those feelings against. I know I can't. If I did, and had not been praying for God to help me forgive, I know there is no real point of praying. God wants me to pray to Him with a clean heart. If I am harboring bad feelings toward someone, I'm sinning - even if I've been the one that was wronged - therefore God may in His grace answer my prayer, but Scripture says He has no obligation to do so.


"Lord, rid me of my sinful hurt feelings and expectation of others. Help me to remember this passage and pray for them, rather than dwelling on the wrong that was done me."

Colossians 4:7-18

Overview:
Paul gives personal greetings and messages to friends and co-workers that will read this letter.
Application:
For such a small book, Paul spends a large portion of his time with these personal messages. That convicts me that I need to follow his example and express my thanks and give words of encouragement to those around me. Do people know I appreciate their efforts, or am I just assuming because I've said it once or twice it's enough? We work for the Lord and for His approval, but it sure warms the heart and gives one a skip in your step, when others take notice and commend you. When we fail to do that, we cause them to doubt the job or the impact they are making on the body of Christ. My lack of commendation could mean they lose heart and give up. I don't mean to say that what "I" say holds that much weight, but I suspect I am not the only one withholding praise. But as for me, I need to show the appreciation for my fellow believers that I feel in my heart - make it visible. It's not a waste of time. Paul's example shows me that.
Praise: 
I can't leave today's post w/o giving a shout-out to Scott Fletcher, our church's webmaster (we are talking about giving praise when praise is due, right?!). Building webpages is not his profession, but he jumped right in knowing we had a need. I can attest to the fact he spent many, many weeks of extremely long hours creating the site before the rest of us even saw it. He's never complained, always been gracious and humble - a pure delight to work with. He reminded me on numerous occasions that He was doing it for the Lord, and it was evident. We will miss him and his family! Thank you, Scott, for your sacrificial service to the body of Christ at Woods Chapel. May God richly bless you as you seek a full-time position in Christian counseling. I trust you will always have a warm place in your heart for your grateful friends and co-laborers at WCBF. Well done!!

My Sister's Mexico Trip

I've really been enjoying seeing all that God has enabled Carole (my sister) and Peter to do on their 2010 trip to Mexico. Their blog is so informative with lots of pictures showing the distribution of shoes and Bibles and just recently they were able to pass along Christian materials (in the box) and 2 donated laptop computers to a children's home. This couple were thrilled! They had been praying for this and God supplied!! We serve a great God. I'd encourage you to check out their blog at http://psborgman.blogspot.com

Colossians 4:1-6

Overview:
Masters (those in authority) treat your slaves kindly and justly - keeping in mind you too have a Master in heaven. Praying should be a continual practice. Be aware of what is going on around you (be watchful) so you know what to be praying for, and don't let them be requests only, but be thankful to Him for what He has done and is doing. Paul requests prayer for himself that doors to share the gospel would be open, and for clarity (v 4) as he shares the message. Be mindful of Whose you are when you are with nonbelievers. Make sure you conversation reveals your faith. Always be ready to be an apologist (answer each person).
Application:
What goes around comes around - I hear that a lot, but there is truth to it as we see in (3:23-25; 4:1). I must treat others the way that Jesus would - kindly and fairly, remembering all that He has done for me. Throughout the day I should be praying to God asking for His continual guidance. I need to do a better job of writing down requests so that I can be in prayer continually for that person/situation.
I am in need of prayer for God's direction in doing all I can to get AWANA up and running full-scale. We so desperately need to be reaching the lost, and that is a great tool for us to use. Like Paul, my prayer is (v3) that God would open doors...and also that  I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.


"God, put together Your team to get AWANA going. Direct me to talk to the people of your choosing, and may Your Holy Spirit even now be preparing hearts to hear the gospel."