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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Today's Passage : Today's Passage :Lights in the World Bible Verse :Philippians 2:12-18 "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me." Message:
In this section, Paul reflects a lesser version of Jesus’ prayers in the late chapters of John. As did Christ, Paul worries about those whom he shepherds and how they will react to his possible death. He prepares himself, in case he is called to emulate Christ by dying, and he wants to prepare them.
The Philippians had not known Jesus during His human life, so Paul is their substitute shepherd, as countless generations of pastors and priests will be to the millions of Christians to follow. He even hopes that his possible death will be a “sacrifice” for their faith. It cannot be compared to the miraculous sacrifice of Christ, but he hopes to remind them of it, so that they will not grieve at his death, but be strengthened by it.
He tells us to live our lives without complaint or argument — to do “all things” without grumbling or disputing. When we argue, we seek to be right, but Paul encourages us to be “blameless and innocent” rather than “right.” His admonition returns, then, to his initial guidance in verses 2-4. We certainly see the opposite tearing the world apart: pride of opinion, our often angry self-satisfaction when we are in an argument and see clearly that we are correct; and our opponent is not seeing something we see, or wrong, or stupid.
We thus arrive at a point Paul warns us against: self-glorification of our minds — our opinions — putting us at odds with one another.
Let us remember his earlier words: “[I]n humility count others more significant than yourselves . . . .” We might then become blameless and innocent, instead of argumentative and prideful, full of the Word of God rather than the voice of our own mind, in a twisted and crooked society full of angry self-righteous people shouting at one another.
Meditation : Prayer : Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant equip us with every good thing that we may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever......Amen |
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