Spiritual Fitness

. . . train yourself to be godly. - 1 Timothy 4:7b

I find this short little phrase to be extremely profound and deeply convicting. This is a lesson that I must be reminded of often. Godliness doesn't just happen. I can not expect that just because I've been a Christian for a while that sin just will lose its power. Nor can I expect that just because I go to (or even work for a) church that my walk with Christ will grow.

We don't passively stumble into godliness.

Paul parallels our pursuit of godliness with physical training. So just as with physical training, godliness requires effort and work. To grow stronger we must practice discipline and be consistent. When we get lazy and neglect our disciplines then we become spiritually unfit. If we want to enjoy a better relationship with Christ we must commit ourselves to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, studying, meditating on and memorization of Scripture, fasting, silence, a Sabbath, giving, etc.

Father, give me joy in exercising my spiritual muscles and show me more of yourself as I pursue a deeper relationship with you.

By His Grace,
Matt

The Church Matters

"...I am writing you these instructions so that...you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth." 1 Timothy 3:14-15

Although our culture would marginalize the church that is not God's view. In God's view the church is central--it is God's household (family). In God's plan the church is essential--it is the pillar and foundation that upholds the truth in this world.

When we allow the church to become in our thinking only a meeting place or an organization we do a great disservice to ourselves and our community. We must embrace our significant identity as God's family and our significant mission of holding up and out God's truth in a morally and spiritually crumbling world.

Father, help the church to be what you created it to be in this world. Help our church to realize your vision for us in our community.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

The Worst Sinner?

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst." 1 Timothy 1:15

Would Paul have literally won a worst sinners contest? There were undoubtedly men whose deeds were worse than Paul's when judged by this world's standard. But Paul knew his own heart and the righteousness of Christ.

The heart that seems pure when looked upon by the light of this world is revealed to be stained with sin when held up to the light of Christ. Our realization of the magnificence of God's grace grows in proportion to our recognition of our own utter sinfulness apart from Christ. Then like Paul we will stand in awe of the fact that He saved us and give Him glory.

Lord Jesus, I am the worst sinner I know for I know my own heart. I thank you that you saved me and continue to pour grace on me daily. May your grace be magnified in my life that other sinners around me may be drawn to you.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Keep Alert

"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out wit the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem." 2 Samuel 11:1

So began David's fall into sin. When he should have been with the army fighting Israel's battles he stayed in the comfort of his palace. Instead of being disciplined and diligent he settled into complacency and comfort. He was in the wrong place as far as his responsibility to God was concerned. He was in the right place for the enemy of our souls to attack and overcome him. David's fall did not begin with his first look at Bathsheba but with the relaxing of his discipline and duty.

If we become complacent and comfortable about our spiritual life and duty we become an easier target for the enemy. The battle rages everyday and so everyday must find us putting on our spiritual armor and standing at spiritual attention ready to fight the good fight of the faith. Keep yourself planted in the Word. Keep alert in prayer. Keep faithful in duty.

Father, help me not to become spiritually complacent and comfortable but rather to maintain discipline and diligence that I may be ready to stand against the schemes of the evil one and the desires of the sinful nature.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Winning the Battle

"Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?' The LORD answered him, 'Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.'" 2 Samuel 5:19

After David was crowned king over Israel, the Philistines, Israel's long-time nemesis, attacked with hopes of overthrowing David before he was firmly established. David's reaction was not to move immediately out to battle but rather to move into the presence of the Lord and seek His direction. Inquiring of the Lord before making major moves was a pattern in David's life. This was surely part of the reason he was called "a man after God's own heart."

One thing we can be sure of is that our enemy, the devil, will attack us and seek to dislodge us from our firm commitment to the Lord (see 1 Peter 5:8). We must learn that the battle is not won by drawing on our strength to counter attack but by seeking the Lord. The Philistines were not only Israel's enemies but they were God's enemies and so he gladly delivered them into David's hand as long as David depended on Him. The devil is not only our enemy but he is first and foremost the enemy of God. God will gladly lead us to victory over the devil's attacks if we will learn to seek and depend on God in the battle.

Father, whether great or small I will surely be attacked today by Your enemy the devil. Give me the humility to find strength for the battle in prayer that You may win the victory.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

How is your Faith?

"For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless. But Timothy has just now come to us from you and has brought good news about your faith and love." 1 Thessalonians 3:5-6b

Paul had been forced out of Thessalonica by persecution from the Jews and the new converts he left behind were enduring the same persecution. Like a mother concerned for the welfare of her baby, Paul had deep concern for the viability and vitality of the Thessalonians' faith in Christ. Would it be demolished by the persecution or would it endure and grow strong through the persecution? The verdict delivered by Timothy was that they were doing quite well and growing in their new found faith!

Faith is not a static, lifeless transaction in response to facts about Christ but rather a living, dynamic relationship with Christ. Faith can grow or fail. Faith can be healthy or it can be on life support. How is your faith today? Is it growing through the trials and temptations of life or is it faltering? Faith fed on the Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with God's people will grow while faith starved of this essential Christian nourishment will fail. Feed your faith so that you may grow and live a vibrant Christian life in any and every circumstance life may bring.

Father, I thank you for the faith you have given me in Jesus Christ and I pray that You will help me to nourish and grow in my faith today.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

Giving Thanks

"We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers." 1 Thessalonians 1:2

We have much to be thankful for every time we pray. God has blessed us beyond measure. After our salvation through Christ, God's choicest blessings are the people through whom God enriches our spiritual life and those whom God allows us to enrich. Paul was thankful for the Thessalonians both because God had allowed him to play a key role in leading them to Christ and because their faithfulness to Christ had been a blessing to Him. Who can you thank God for today? Who has enriched your spiritual life? Who have you had the privilege of influencing spiritually?

Father, I thank you for the people you have placed around me with whom I share life in Christ.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark

A True Peace

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7

In this short verse, Paul reminds us that true peace can only come when we are trusting and walking with Christ. In Philippians 4:6 we are reminded that "we are not to be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

As you read this you could be in the middle of a difficult morning. Everything around you is in complete chaos and you may have realized that your schedule for the rest of the day is overwhelming. Just as we are reminded in this verse, there are times in our life that we need to slow down and spend time in prayer. When we do it seems like our day can go from chaotic to calm. Have you given God this day? Have you lifted up your requests and anxious thoughts to God? If not, stop what you are doing and present your requests to God and allow the peace of God to guard your heart.

Father, help me today to surrender everything to you. Help me to not be overwhelmed with the task at hand and to always beware of opportunities to tell others about your crazy love for my life.

Chris

The Jesus Standard

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: - Philippians 2:5

As Christians who are empowered by the Holy Spirit the standard for our life is Christlikeness. It's plain and simple, "Whoever claims to walk in him must live as Jesus did." (1 John 1:6). There's no negotiating room. We are expected to live as Christ did.

But how is that possible? I am not Christ. I am full of sin. Once we've trusted in Christ the Holy Spirit comes to indwell our hearts. We are filled the the power of God, the same power Christ had. And so we now have the means to accomplish the very task we've been called to.

So if we've been called to live like Jesus what does that look like? What "attitude" does he have that we are to emulate? Well, look at the verses that follow. How is Jesus characterized? He is a servant, he is humble and obedient. Jesus is described as many other things, but this is a good place to start.

Lord, I want to be like Christ, but sometimes that feels like too high of a standard. I constantly fall short. Forgive my shortcomings and purify my heart of wickedness. Empower my with your Spirit and help me set my mind and desires on the things that honor you. I give you permission to develop me into the kind of humble, obedient servant that Christ was.

For His glory,
Matt

PROGRESS AND JOY

. . . I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, . . . Philippians 1:25b

I like the way Paul has tied together two descriptive words—progress and joy—in this passage.

In any church, either of these outcomes—progress or joy—would be enough to encourage the pastor and his flock, but a wonderful thing about progress and joy is that we rarely experience one without the other. When a follower of Christ makes strides forward in obedience to God, the church family (and the believer) rejoices. When the church finds their joy in Jesus, believers advance in one or many aspects of their faith. For God’s people, growth brings gladness and gladness encourages growth.

Of course, it’s not really news that progress made results in positive attitudes which, in turn, encourage further progress. You don’t have to follow Christ to experience this phenomenon. But Paul specifies that the Christian’s progress and joy is “in the faith,” and that raises the experience far above even the best stuff of this life.

So, let’s continue to work together for each other’s progress and joy in the faith. Focus your efforts on remaining in the cycle of progress and joy. Encourage (and help) those who are struggling, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ, meet together one on one and in small and large groups, pray diligently for each other, read and study and memorize God’s Word; in short—stay close to God and to each other.

Lord, how great and marvelous are Your ways. Guide me by Your Holy Spirit to make steady progress in obeying, serving, and loving You. Thank you for the joy and peace I experience in following You. Bless our church with progress and joy in the faith as we continue together as one family in You.

God’s grace to you,
JIM

Attitude Toward Authority

⁷Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, - Ephesians 6:7

Our attitude towards authority reflects our understanding of the Lordship of Christ.

If you tend to resist those in authority over you or if you begrudge your earthly duties it isn't just a reflection of your work ethic, it reveals that you aren't fully submitted to Christ.

When your life is fully surrendered to Christ people around you will notice. They will see it in the way you do your job, or in the way you parent, or in the way you talk about people in leadership, or in the way you lead. Your attitude toward authority is a witness for Christ.

We are all subject to the authority of Christ. So, work as though God were your boss, obey as though God were your parent, and serve as though God were the one watching, because he is.

Lord, examine me. Help me to see if there are any areas of my life that aren't honoring to you. Lead me to honor and respect those in authority over me. You are Lord over all - my life included. I submit myself to you. Use my life to show my co-workers, peers, friends and family that you are the one true God. My trust is in you.

For His Glory,
Matt

ONE ANOTHER

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21

I have particular difficulty living out this verse. Perhaps you do, too.

Embracing the counter-everything word submit is radical enough, and I do seek to submit to God. However, it's the dynamic one another that gets my goat.

I think I give the public "submit to one another" thing a sincere attempt. It's the private (friends and family) act of submitting that sneaks up on me. Is my reverence for Christ so limited? Do I reverence myself more than Jesus? These thoughts trouble me.

I hope you'll join me in a more comprehensive and conscious pursuit of our mutual concern and love for each other, because of our reverence for Christ. Let's pay attention to how well we submit to each other, and seek to glorify God in this, as well.

Father, I want to submit to You and to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to think of others more than I think of me. Guide me to live in reverence to Your Son.

Have a blessed day,
JIM