Shine Like Stars

Our home fellowship group is studying the book of Philippians and what a wonderful study it is. Philippians is one of the shortest, but most joyful and instructive books. James Montgomery Boice describes Philippians and reminds us that even though Paul was facing possible execution for his faith; “no book in the Bible is so filled with joy as Philippians. Yet Philippians is not just for people who are feeling discouraged – or even joyful. It is a rich book with a great wealth of themes. There are only 104 verses in Philippians. But in that short scope most of the major doctrines of the Christian faith are covered, and there are many profound statements of Christian love, hope, aspiration, joy and confidence.”

Our group is currently studying Chapter 2 and gaining great insight. There are many great truths here, but three verses have just stuck with me. You have to stop and really reflect on this passage. Look at every word, think, pray, read it again. The verses are 14 through 16;

14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so 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 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

What an amazing passage. Great instruction for those set apart; great instruction indeed, but so difficult to achieve. Look at verse 14; Do everything without complaining or arguing. How many of us can achieve that? I heard a pastor giving a sermon on this passage and he shared an illustration that Rabbis use in their teaching.

It is the story of two young men on the exodus with Moses and as the Red Sea is parted the two young men are trudging their way across and notice that their sandals are becoming caked with mud and begin to complain; all they can see is the mud and the mire. Their heads are down when all they have to do is look up and see the wonder of God’s grace, mercy, and love. All they have to do is look up and see the miraculous walls of water allowing their exodus.

So as we run and labor through this crooked and depraved generation, may we all look up! As we deal with life, families, work, neighbors instead of seeing the mud and mire; let’s look up and notice the great Christian hope! The hope provided by the sacrifice of Christ. Every breath we breathe, every blessing we receive, every step we take is a gift from God.

I am reminded of Psalm 40;

1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.


With such a firm place to stand may we all “Shine like Stars”!

Grace and Peace!

Young Life

I had the awesome privilege of attending a Young Life club for middle schoolers. The little I knew about Young Life came from my daughter. She is currently a team leader working with middle school kids. What great and encouraging work this fine organization is doing; relating to kids, building relationships with kids, guiding kids with a gentle and loving spirit and teaching kids about our Lord and Savior.

This particular evening I witnessed fun, good music, games, a skit involving a good friend; “Cletus”, and a most excellent message concerning the divinity of Christ. It was so beautiful and simple even I; I mean the kids, could understand it. Have you ever wondered why we as Christians sometimes make things so complicated?

Anyway, this evening the message was taken from John 11 where Jesus travels to Bethany upon the news of Lazarus’ death. He walks into a time of great mourning and was troubled in spirit and we see one of the most moving verses.

35Jesus wept.

We see the human side of our Savior, he loved so much and he felt the pain and he wept. But, then the truly divine happens; and our Lord, our Savior raises Lazarus from death. We see it so clearly in verses 43 and 44;

43When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" 44The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

Can you see it? Christ fully human and fully God – amazing! Isn’t there a message for all of us here? Through Christ we can “come out” taking off the grave clothes of this world.

Way to go Young Life!

Grace and Peace

Hallelujah by Anticipation!

I have been having some deep and thoughtful conversations with friends and family about the circumstances of life. Why at times do things seem hopeless? Why is there despair and depression? I have suffered in my life, but others have suffered even more so I am not trying to make light or compare sufferings, trials or circumstances.

I know at times things can be difficult at best; so what I will try to suggest here is a position of focus during these times. I know it is difficult but can we somehow through Christ focus on God? As we read is Isaiah 26;

3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.

I know it is difficult, but can we remain steadfast and trust in God alone? Look at what is promised. Perfect peace; I think Paul shows us what this perfect peace might look like in Romans 8;

38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Perfect peace through the love of God and in Romans 15 we see the hope;

13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Filled with all joy and peace as we trust in Him! That is my hope for anyone that is struggling, down, going through difficult times; that you will be filled. Trust in him as your position of focus. Let me end with a quote from Spurgeon. He said; “It is not hard for the Lord to turn night into day. He that sends the clouds can as easily clear the skies. Let us be of good cheer. It is better farther on. Let us sing Hallelujah by anticipation.”

Hallelujah by anticipation; isn’t that just so great? Anticipation of better things to come, anticipation of eternity, anticipation of the love of God.

You know it will be better farther on so let us all sing Hallelujah by anticipation!

Grace and Peace!

The Attributes of God

I am currently reading a great book called “The Attributes of God” written by A. W. Pink. It is absolutely fantastic and so relevant today even though it was written years ago. This book has caused me to pause and really think which is a small miracle in and of itself.

In this book Pink quotes Luther from one of his letters to Erasmus in which Luther says, “Your thoughts of God are too human”. Aren’t we all guilty of that to some degree? That simple quote has really impacted me. I challenge everyone to just think about it for a while. How do we relate to God? How do we view God?

In Psalm 50:21, Pink notes that God complained to an apostate Israel, "These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you." Oh, He is so much more than that; our Creator, our Maker, our Supreme and Sovereign God; full of Grace and Love for such a broken creation.

Even when we try to understand, it important to realize how utterly and wonderfully complex He is. We can read in Isaiah 55:8-9; 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Thinking about the Supremacy of God can be mind boggling, but so comforting; overwhelming, but so reassuring, and staggering, but so caring. I would like to end on Psalm 104:1-3

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent 3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind.

How Great is our God!

Grace and Peace