Still waiting (Philippians 1, Isaiah 40:31)

"An old prayer that Pres. John F. Kennedy had in his study."
I took this photo in Aruba.
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

 

It took me awhile to figure out, but I believe we're in Philippians now.  This is another letter from the Apostle Paul.  In this letter, he mentions Timothy.  I think we all have that feeling that the world is so big and we seem so small.  We've been having trouble getting our mail lately.  Someone ran into the mailboxes and I was able to get it open but now it's just stuck.  I put in 3 phone calls to the Post Office, so now I guess I best pray and wait.  Waiting is a challenge isn't it?  tap tap tap 

31 But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.
(Isaiah 40:31 NKJV)

Guess it's not just that we wait, but how we wait that matters : )


Philippians Chapter 1

1 Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Timothy was a young man who spent time with the Apostle Paul.  He became a Pastor and as we read the letters in the Bible the Apostle Paul thought of him as a son.  That would be quite an honor.  Paul was a hero in this time period for surviving many obstacles in jails and prisons.  You probably remember Paul started out trying to destroy Christians.  He thought it was the right thing to do.  God stopped him in his tracks and turned him in the right direction.  1 and 2nd Timothy were written by Paul's friend.

 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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, 6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace. 8 For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 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.

Verse 6 is a good one to memorize.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels hopeless about myself sometimes.  He's not done with us yet so we shouldn't give up on Him or ourselves.  He forgives when we confess.  Actually there's really great memorizable verses in all the letters.


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, 13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; 14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
This is one of the cool things about Paul and Peter.  They both were taken captive and then!  They led the guards to Christ.

15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
To me, this describes people who want to appear holy and righteous but secretly seek perfection and approval.  If you've read the Bible at all you'd recognize God detests this attitude (the proud and lofty).  He hangs out with waitresses, police officers, programmers, and bus drivers.  Real people who aren't afraid to admit mistakes.  Paul is most interested in Jesus being preached.  Not whether or not people are perfect.

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 
Paul has this awesome faith.  He knows that whatever happens to His body, he's going to be with Jesus one day.  He was the one that the Lord put scales on his eyes so he couldn't see.  Definitely got his attention.  Now he's with Jesus in Paradise.  And Jesus is working in us and those who come after us.

22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard- pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
We are hard pressed on every side too.  There's good TV and bad TV, so many temptations.  It seems like illnesses are getting more crazy every year.  Some of the schools seem lacking in purpose and hope.  Each generation has faced it's own demons haven't they?  Both of my Grandmas went through the depression.  They both had this distant look in their eyes sometimes.   Both of them used to save the wrappers from bread so they didn't have to buy plastic bags.  They were frugal with money.

27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. 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, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.
(Philippians 1:1-30 NKJV)
We too need to be focussed on Jesus and remind ourselves of what will come.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I lift up those in Saudi Arabia who mourn the death of their King.  I pray for the children who have been kidnapped that You will set them free.  Nothing is impossible for You.  I know You can do anything.  You saved me!  Please continue to bless our world leaders with wisdom.  Guide and protect Ukraine.


Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
10 Set the world right;
Do what's best––
  as above, so below.
11 Keep us alive with three square meals.
12 Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
13 Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
  Yes. Yes. Yes.
(Matthew 6:9-13 Message)

In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen


Tenth Avenue North- human trafficking, For Those who can't speak (link)
I have really come to admire Tenth Avenue North.  Their songs are so relevant to our world today.  My husband and I decided we'd buy more of their dvds to support them.

God's world (Ephesians 4:17-32, Philippians 4:4-7, Psalm 24:1-2)

"The  earth is the LORD'S, and all it contains. The world, and those who dwell in it.
For He has founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the rivers."
(Psalms 24:1-2 NASB)
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

I forgot to mention in my last post, when I go out and do ministries on my own, I let my Pastors know what I'm up to.  That way they know we don't all sleep in Church : )  They work so hard and certainly deserve encouragement. It was fun to thank my first Pastor for leading me to Christ 38 years ago.  I sent him a copy of my testimony.

(Ephesians 4:17-32 NKJV)
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Hmmm "walking in the futility of your mind..."  Yikes!  I see that as someone who is living in an imaginary world.  Just there.  Sometimes I ask Todd what he's thinking and he says, "Nothing."  
So I ask, "Nothing?"
He answers, "doooooo.  Yup nothing."
I think all the time!  It must be so relaxing : )  

To me, these verses describe people who are constantly thinking.  If something doesn't make sense, they make up a solution they like.  They close their minds to any other options.  They have done this for so long their minds and hearts don't know what truth is.  They are self serving and ignore God even making up lies to justify their thoughts.  


We keep hearing about climate control in the USA, it's Obama's favorite topic and investment.  After Hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey, an Environmental conference was held.  It was horrible there was less than 1/4 of an inch of water lost from our shorelines.  That doesn't concern me as much as the people still trying to rebuild their homes.  They also worry about the polar ice caps melting.  Yet 2 ice cutter ships got stuck in the ice last winter.  I love Christianity.  With God, humans are His best asset.  Not the ice or the water which He created.  We must protect our world but not pretend to control it. That's God's domain.

What would it feel like to believe we are just fine the way we are?  To just relax, work hard, sleep well, laugh, love and dance.  We'll know in Heaven for sure : )


20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
When I put off my old ways and temptations, I feel like a new woman.  I have joy in my heart.  I am respected and loved.  Only God can provide the peace that passes understanding.  When we have faith and walk in the light, the fruit of His Spirit comes.  Paul describes it in his letter to the Philippians.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 4:4-7 NKJV)

25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” 
Guilty!  I have a hard time telling other people (except my husband) that they are upsetting me.  We live in a townhouse that's close to other homes.  My neighbor  throws their beach towels over our courtyard fence when they're wet.  It's a small private space and I usually just push them off our side onto theirs.  I really should ask them to stop.  Nothing like seeing someone elses laundry in your courtyard...  Do we have to be honest?

for we are members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 
Members of one another describes the body of Christ.  We are His hands, ears, feet...  God has given all of us gifts and talents to share.  My husband and I try not to let the sun go down on our anger.  I just can't sleep when I'm mad.  Neither can he.  We sometimes have pillow fights or squirt gun fights to get out of the angry mood.  It works well. Basically it's taking ourselves too seriously.

27 nor give place to the devil. 
This describes giving the devil a place (foothold) when we dwell in anger instead of faith.  I hate being angry it's so annoying.  Anger is a necessary emotion to help us change things but it's not good to constantly feed it.  "Did you see that lady?  She just hit my cart with her cart.  How rude!" and then pace all night... Not that I would ever... ok I would.

28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
This verse sounds like it's for new Christians. I was so confused when I first became a Christian.  I didn't feel like sinning as much.  I think that's normal when we first go to Church.  It's all so intimidating.  Paul is giving an alternative that's to be useful.   I am happy to say, "I'm working quietly with my own hands now!"  I'm at home.  Hopefully this blog is useful for others : )  Ok I do talk to myself and the kitties sometimes... /blush

 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking greaves the Holy Spirit.  I definitely don't want to do that.  He would rather we are kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving, just like Jesus forgave us.

Dear Heavenly Father,
I pray for those in Iraq and Israel.  I pray for peace in Jerusalem, for the Holy cities in the middle east.  They are in a precarious place with all the fighting.  Lord, I pray You will give our Congress courage to do what must be done in the White House.  Please let your Spirit bless the children from Central America still waiting in warehouses.  I pray they will be able to live safely in Central America.  Thank You for all the blessings you have given us.  Be with those in Ukraine.  Bless our allies and help all our nations be strong.  In all these things let the right win and the wrong fail.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Here's a song by Matt Maher, "Alive Again" (link)

If you have a prayer request feel free to write it in Comments.  I'd be happy to pray for you.  God bless!