Philippians 2:14-18
If we are aware of God's purposes in our lives, we will be able to do that which He calls us to do--joyfully. Our lives will shine as we give God's Word--the truth--to those around us, in word or deed. Our faith in God's plan and His work enables us to sacrifice and serve with a willing heart.
These are important concepts for our children. People often complain and argue, and young people are no exception. Each year we saw attitudes of complaining and arguing and we talked with the children about having attitudes that would honor God. Turning away from negative attitudes leads them to a pure and blameless life--a child with a positive attitude and a willing heart is less likely to get into trouble. These young people will also become a shining example to others and their peers will be drawn to that example.
Even if parents cannot always speak aloud the phrase, "honor God," in their community, they can instill in their children and their children's friends principles and attitudes of joy, willingness, cooperation, and effort as opposed to whining, complaining, and arguing. You can help your child realize the benefits of positive behavior. As Paul says, your life shining as you hold out God's truth to those around you will ensure that your labor, sacrifice, and service are all for Christ's glory.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Small Steps of Faith
Philippians 2:12-13
One thing I appreciate about Philippians is its simplicity. Paul repeats the same concepts again and again. In these first two chapters he writes about obedience and God's purposes. As we read through Philippians and discussed our situation, we kept coming back to these same themes. We realized God wanted us to be about His business, working to accomplish His purposes. To maintain the attitude of Christ, we had to be open and willing to be emptied of self so that God could work in us and through us.
We talked with the children about their faith and their walk with God. We recognized that for many, the way to salvation would indeed be a process, needing to be "worked out." The first steps were small and halting as we sought to develop a sense of worship in our little community, a need for God to work in our lives, and how to live a life of faith.
"The feat of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). We stand in awe at how God works in people's lives. You may be the only Christian in your neighborhood, at your child's activities, or in the local school, but you can ask God to accomplish His purposes through you. You can work with one or two people with whom you have established relationships to help them take small steps of faith toward salvation, in fear and awe of a living, merciful, and just God.
One thing I appreciate about Philippians is its simplicity. Paul repeats the same concepts again and again. In these first two chapters he writes about obedience and God's purposes. As we read through Philippians and discussed our situation, we kept coming back to these same themes. We realized God wanted us to be about His business, working to accomplish His purposes. To maintain the attitude of Christ, we had to be open and willing to be emptied of self so that God could work in us and through us.
We talked with the children about their faith and their walk with God. We recognized that for many, the way to salvation would indeed be a process, needing to be "worked out." The first steps were small and halting as we sought to develop a sense of worship in our little community, a need for God to work in our lives, and how to live a life of faith.
"The feat of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). We stand in awe at how God works in people's lives. You may be the only Christian in your neighborhood, at your child's activities, or in the local school, but you can ask God to accomplish His purposes through you. You can work with one or two people with whom you have established relationships to help them take small steps of faith toward salvation, in fear and awe of a living, merciful, and just God.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Our Example
Philippians 2:5-11
Jesus is our best example of a servant's attitude. He willingly set Himself aside in complete obedience to God. When I read this, Hebrews 5:8 comes to mind. Jesus "learned obedience from what He suffered." Our goal is to serve God by serving others, regardless of the cost to us or how those around us behave. Even while "eating dirt" we learn we are where God wants us, doing what He wants us to do. As servants, we learn to set ourselves aside as Jesus did.
This passage in Paul's letter has been called the "Kenosis," or Jesus' emptying of Himself. When I read that Jesus "made Himself nothing," it reminds me of what Jesus said to His disciples, "greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Someone once said that means to just set your life aside.
As parents, we are called to set our personal lives aside on a daily basis as we minister to our chldren. We learn to shift our focus from our own problems to those of our sons and daughters. This ability to refocus brings clarity and peace to our lives.
The next time you walk into your child's room, take a minute to ask God to help you focus on his or her needs. Ask Him to give you a servant's heart, an attitude that is "the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Jesus is our best example of a servant's attitude. He willingly set Himself aside in complete obedience to God. When I read this, Hebrews 5:8 comes to mind. Jesus "learned obedience from what He suffered." Our goal is to serve God by serving others, regardless of the cost to us or how those around us behave. Even while "eating dirt" we learn we are where God wants us, doing what He wants us to do. As servants, we learn to set ourselves aside as Jesus did.
This passage in Paul's letter has been called the "Kenosis," or Jesus' emptying of Himself. When I read that Jesus "made Himself nothing," it reminds me of what Jesus said to His disciples, "greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). Someone once said that means to just set your life aside.
As parents, we are called to set our personal lives aside on a daily basis as we minister to our chldren. We learn to shift our focus from our own problems to those of our sons and daughters. This ability to refocus brings clarity and peace to our lives.
The next time you walk into your child's room, take a minute to ask God to help you focus on his or her needs. Ask Him to give you a servant's heart, an attitude that is "the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Friday, September 9, 2011
Attitudes
Philippians 2:3-4
Parenting is not about us, it is a sacrificial endeavor. Parents spend much time and do many things in their childrens' interests rather than their own.
The attitude Paul describes leads to an environment of cooperation, not competition. Each person looks after the interests of the others with the goal of assisting the growth of all, rather than one person seeking to become better than the others. What a difference such an attitude would make in families!
Talk with your children about considering others before themselves--an important, and difficult, lesson for them to learn. Such basic lessons in kindness contribute to our children's emotional, social, and spiritual growth.
I hope you have found joy in fellowship and teamwork with other parents in your community. If we are united in Christ and have His Spirit, He will give us love to reach out to those around us. We can be comrades in our schools and communities, instead of competitive parents. Seek out the young, inexperienced, or new parent who is overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. Look for and help the parent who is burned out and looking out for their own interests or those who care but exist in survival mode. Watch His joy overflow as you reach out with the good news of God's love.
Parenting is not about us, it is a sacrificial endeavor. Parents spend much time and do many things in their childrens' interests rather than their own.
The attitude Paul describes leads to an environment of cooperation, not competition. Each person looks after the interests of the others with the goal of assisting the growth of all, rather than one person seeking to become better than the others. What a difference such an attitude would make in families!
Talk with your children about considering others before themselves--an important, and difficult, lesson for them to learn. Such basic lessons in kindness contribute to our children's emotional, social, and spiritual growth.
I hope you have found joy in fellowship and teamwork with other parents in your community. If we are united in Christ and have His Spirit, He will give us love to reach out to those around us. We can be comrades in our schools and communities, instead of competitive parents. Seek out the young, inexperienced, or new parent who is overwhelmed to the point of exhaustion. Look for and help the parent who is burned out and looking out for their own interests or those who care but exist in survival mode. Watch His joy overflow as you reach out with the good news of God's love.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Seeking God's Purposes
Philippians 2:1-2
At the time we started reading this part of Paul's letter, we were also working with the children concerning their attitudes. We talked with them about treating one another as Jesus would.
Paul reminds us of all we receive from Christ. We have encouragement, someone standing alongside to help, someone who gives us the strength and courage to love those around us. As we walk with Him, we receive comfort as God comes close with His unconditional love. If we say we are united with Christ, we should also be united in purpose--to become more like Jesus, to love God and those around us--these things to which we have been called by God.
This passages reminds us to focus again on seeking God's purposes daily. Our strength comes from being united in Him. Even if we do not fully understand what He wants us to do, we can join together in our goals for our children and their spiritual growth.
If you walk with Christ, be encouraged by His love. As you seek Him, He will give you strength, energy, and love to carry out His purposes regardless of your current situation.
At the time we started reading this part of Paul's letter, we were also working with the children concerning their attitudes. We talked with them about treating one another as Jesus would.
Paul reminds us of all we receive from Christ. We have encouragement, someone standing alongside to help, someone who gives us the strength and courage to love those around us. As we walk with Him, we receive comfort as God comes close with His unconditional love. If we say we are united with Christ, we should also be united in purpose--to become more like Jesus, to love God and those around us--these things to which we have been called by God.
This passages reminds us to focus again on seeking God's purposes daily. Our strength comes from being united in Him. Even if we do not fully understand what He wants us to do, we can join together in our goals for our children and their spiritual growth.
If you walk with Christ, be encouraged by His love. As you seek Him, He will give you strength, energy, and love to carry out His purposes regardless of your current situation.
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