How I Long For You

 

February 27, 2009
Text: Philippians 1:7-11
Title: How I Long For You

Thoughts:

During our devo yesterday, I briefly mentioned an outline that Paul introduces in Philippians 1:7-9. He begins with a feeling (v.7 ), the feeling gives birth to a longing (v.8), and his longing reaches fulfillment in prayer (v.9). Today we are going to expound the second point…longing.

Paul’s sympathetic concern for the Philippians produced a Christ-like longing deep within him. He writes, “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (v.8). “With the affection of Christ Jesus is an elegant paraphrase for the Greek, literally, ‘in the entrails of Christ Jesus’. In ancient thought the viscera [intestines] were regarded as the seat of emotional life…” (Ralph Martin, Tyndale New Testament Commentary Series: Philippians, pp.65-66) 

If it were possible, Paul was as lovingly concerned for the Philippians as perhaps even Christ was Himself. What began as his feeling resulted in a Christ-like longing to be reunited with the Philippians and for MORE of God in their lives.

What would be the results of an individual that began to long in a Christ-like manner for MORE for others? From a mere surface perspective I can imagine lives being changed, marriages being healed, families being restored, sickness and disease giving way to God’s miraculous healing…Can you see it? God has MORE and I want that MORE for others.

May we begin to allow and develop Christ-like longings for those family and friends around us. As we do, I can promise it will call forth an action from us. We cannot long for something like Christ without moving into action…For God so loved the world, that He sent…Affections call for actions.

Application:

When have you experienced a Christ-like longing? What did you do?

Meditate upon the phrase with the affections of Christ Jesus for a moment. Given the definition provided, what implications might this phrase have?

Is there someone that you have a Christ-like longing for at this moment? If not, who might God be putting on your heart today?

Prayer:

Father, 

I thank You that Christ had such a deep affection for me. He left the portals of heaven and came to give His life because He yearned for me and the many others like me. Since He came into my life I have been transformed. Your glory is beyond the scope of understanding. Today, I long that others would experience this same glorious transformation. Lead me into a greater Christ-like longing for others today. May I be prompted to action as Christ and Paul were. Guide me through this process, I pray.

 

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s Only Right

February 26, 2009
Text: Philippians 1:7-11
Title: It’s Only Right

Thoughts:

The love and adoration Paul had for the Philippians is unparalleled in the New Testament. Though he loved all of the churches, the church in Philippi had been especially dear to him. In his God, they believed. In his need, they had given. In his message, they had participated. This relationship was extraordinaire.

Thus, Paul writes, “For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me” (Phil. 1:7).

I love those words, “It is only right for me to feel this way about you all…” As I read through this passage last week, I was confronted with a flow that Paul subtly introduces. It begins here in v. 7, is continued in v.8, and finds its fulfillment in v.9.  I feel (v.7),  I long (v.8), and I pray (v.9). 

The reality is that God had MORE for the believers in Philippi, but Paul wanted MORE for the believers in Philippi. In Paul’s mind it is only right for him to feel this way about them. As deeply as God wanted to do something in their lives, Paul wanted God to do something in their lives.

This word feel “is a favourite expression of Paul in this letter (ten of the occurrences of the verb of the twenty-three references in all Paul’s letters are here)…It means (in these verses) much more than a mental exercise or emotional reaction, and signifies rather ‘sympathetic interest and concern, expressing as it does the action of the heart as well as the intellect’. It is the outworking of thought as it determines motives, and through motives the conduct of a person is involved.” (Ralph Martin, Tyndale New Testament Commentary, pp. 64-65)

The total of Paul’s being felt for the Philippians. He was in involved in their lives and in such was concerned for their well-being. Perhaps, there is a call for us to revive some of these feelings in our day.

Application:

In a world of individualism, how do we begin to cultivate these feelings that Paul felt for the Philippians?

Is there someone in your life that you feel for today? Who are they? Why is it right for you to feel this way about them?

Paul’s feelings moved forward into action. What actions do your feelings produce?

Prayer:

Father,

How I thank You for the many who have felt for me. Through their relationship, care, and prayer, I have been so richly blessed by You. At times  their want for MORE of You in my life was stronger even than my want for MORE. In my life today, show me 3 people that I can want MORE for. May I be as passionate for them as Paul was for the Philippians. My prayer for them is that You would…perfect Your good work in them, give them a revelation of You, and that they may be able to discern Your love and will for their lives.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Has MORE

February 25, 2009
Text: Philippians 1:6-11
Title: God Has More

Thoughts:

As I began to approach Philippians 1:6 last week, I was rather overwhelmed with the idea of how much MORE God has for me. It is much MORE than I am ready and willing to accept. Pondering the text, Christ’s words kept churning within me. Those words of Matthew 7:11 specifically, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much MORE shall you Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” Now, those are some amazing words!

I couldn’t help but contemplate how much Julie and I love to lavish Wisdom with good things. From trips to treats, we love the idea of surprising him with “good” things. At times he will ask, politely of course. At other times we just do it because we know that every kid wants those things.

However, on occasion there are things that we can visibly see he wants, yet he will not ask for them. In these moments his timid and reserved nature seizes him. Though there is something he wants, he will hint without asking. Lovingly, I play ignorant to his subtle hints. And, when he thinks I’ve missed it, I will pause for a teachable moment. It is then that I remind him that all he has to do is ASK. My goal: to build confidence, trust, and relationship. (And, in case you’re wondering, at times I say, “No.”)

I wonder how many times we forfeit the work of God in our lives because we fail to ask God. Sure, He can see we want it, need it, or desire it, and even hint at it. But we never ask for it. God has MORE for us. Paul was confident that Christ had not completed His “good work” in the Philippians. I am confident that He has not perfected His “good work” in you or me. Thus, I am challenged to believe for and ASK for MORE of His “good work” in my life. I dare you to ask Him for MORE! MORE of Him. MORE of His perfection. MORE of His good gifts.

Application:

When you think of asking God for MORE, what things do you imagine?

Chances are most of us placed material things on the above list. While material things are not bad, what about asking God to fashion us to be MORE like Him? MORE of His attitude. MORE of His love. MORE of His compassion.

What do you want MORE of in your life? Go ahead, I dare you to ASK for it.

Prayer:

Father,

I want MORE of You. You remind me that You know how to give “good gifts”. Gifts that are both material and mature, spiritual and spontaneous. Today, I need MORE of You in me. MORE of Your attitude in me. MORE of Your love in me. MORE of Your power in me. Sure, there are those things that I desire too, but really I need to learn to simply ASK You for MORE. As I do, You will teach me confidence, trust, and the beauty of a Father/Son relationship. That’s what I desire!

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

He’s Still Working on Me

February 24, 2009
Text: Philippians 1:6-11
Title: He’s Still Working on Me

Thoughts:

While reflecting upon what I might share today, my mind was quickly rushed back to my childhood. Though I can’t remember all things about it, I faintly recall two stickers on my folder. One was of a bear riding a unicycle. Above it were the words, “Bear Right”. The other? A caterpillar with the words, “God’s still working on me”.
The phrase coincides with the children’s song, “He’s Still Working on Me”. Here are those words:

Chorus
He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The Sun and the Earth and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be, He’s still working on me.

Verse 1
There really ought to be a sign upon the heart,
Don’t judge him/her yet, there’s an unfinished part.
But I’ll be perfect just according to His plan
Fashioned by the Master’s loving hands.

Verse 2
In the mirror of His Word reflections that I see
Make me wonder why He never gave up on me.
He loves me as I am and helps me when I pray
Remember He’s the Potter, I’m the clay.

Perhaps the picture of the caterpillar, in the process of becoming a beautiful butterfly, and the words of this children’s song are the best commentary for what Paul was seeking to portray in Philippians 1:6. In the process of transformation we don’t always look like what we are going to be. Thankfully, Jesus knows our beginning from our end.

Application:

What phrase of this children’s song resonates with you today?

What area(s) in your life can you currently see God at work?

Take time to memorize the verse of the week (Phil. 1:6). Now ask the Lord to finish His work in a specific area of your life. Remember: specific.

Prayer:

Father,

Thank You for a gentle and child-like reminder of Your continued transformation process in my life. How often I feel like the caterpillar…Ugly, tarnished, awkward, and land-bound. Yet, Your vision for me is more like that of the butterfly…beautiful, marvelous, awe-inspiring, and free to soar. Lest I forget, may I always remember this is not because of me, rather it is the work that You have wrought in Christ Jesus. I love You today and welcome Your continued work in my life. Where should I set up the signs?

In Jesus’ name. Amen.