Devotions

getting to the stream

Posted on February 3, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Photo by Quang Nguyen Vinh on Pexels.com

getting to the stream

Psalm 42:1-3 (JDV)

Psalm 42:1¹ Like a deer longing for flowing streams, that’s how I long for you, God.

Psalm 42:2 I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and see God’s face?

Psalm 42:3 My tears have been my food day and night, while all day long people say to me, “Where is your God?”

getting to the stream

I have hiked over a thousand miles, and I have encountered numerous deer. They like to hang out at the flowing streams, because they also travel many miles every day. God puts the streams where they need to be, but the deer cannot just lie down and cry out for God to give them water. They have to go to the streams.

The psalmist is like that too. He cannot just lie in his bed and cry out for God to come to him. Everyone around him is wondering where his God is. If he cannot find God where he is, he has to keep traveling until he meets him. That is why he is asking “When can I come and see God’s face?”

As small children, we learn that if we yell for mom or dad they will come, but as we mature, we learn that it is not really respectful for us to keep doing that. Instead, we should look for our parents if we need them. The same is true with our Father in the sky. By his grace, he is usually available when we call out in prayer. But, as we mature as his children, there will be times when he expects us to come to him.
Lord, we thirst for your presence. Show us how to get to where you are!

___________________

¹ superscription: “For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah.”

Posted in dependence upon God, discipleship, prayer, presence of God | Tagged Psalm 42 | Leave a comment

Caesar’s household

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Photo by Alexis Azabache on Pexels.com

Caesar’s household

Philippians 4:21-23 (JDV)

Philippians 4:21 Greet every devotee in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings.

Philippians 4:22 All the devotees send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

Philippians 4:23 The favor of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your breath.

Caesar’s household

Paul concludes his letter to the congregations in Philippi with a greeting from all the devotees in the congregations where he is being detained. Whatever purpose the Adversary might have had for keeping Paul out of the way, it does not seem to be working. He is still very much connected to the work of spreading the gospel, and to the people committed to Christ.

Whatever mission God wants you to be doing, he will find a way for you to do it. If there are impediments, do not worry about them. God has a purpose for you, and you will accomplish it. Even Caesar’s army cannot keep you from winning Caesar’s household.

Lord, we trust you to use us to accomplish your purpose, no matter what.

God will supply

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

God will supply

Philippians 4:15-20 (JDV)

Philippians 4:15 And you Philippians know that when we first¹ started sharing the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no congregation partnered with me in the word about giving and receiving except you alone.

Philippians 4:16 You see, even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times.

Philippians 4:17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing when people share the word through you.

Philippians 4:18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you provided – a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:20 Now to our God and Father be glory for ages² and ages. Amen.

God will supply

Verse 19 of today’s text is another one that is often abused and misrepresented. It is one of those “promises from God” that people regularly quote (even in their prayers) as if saying the words themselves will make them come true.

The truth is, this assurance from Paul is given to the Philippian church, and the reason Paul can confidently say what he said about them is that they supported his missionary work financially, even when many other churches did not. They took care of the needs of the team God sent with his gospel message. Of course God would supply all of their needs.

Is it wrong to claim this verse as a promise from God? Check your check stubs.

Lord, make us a people who consistently support your missions work.

1ἀρχή = first.

2αἰών = age.

able to cope

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

silhouette of person standing near camping tent

Photo by Cliford Mervil on Pexels.com

able to cope

Philippians 4:10-14 (JDV)

Philippians 4:10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it.
Philippians 4:11 I don’t say this due to my need, because I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.
Philippians 4:12 I know both how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content – whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need.
Philippians 4:13 I am able to cope with all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:14 On the other hand, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

able to cope

The prosperity gospel folks have so abused this text that it will take a nuanced translation to rescue it from their grasp. Paul is not encouraging people to think big and aim high. He is not arrogantly claiming to be able to do anything. He is a missionary, and he is thanking the Philippian congregations for supporting him financially. They partnered with him during his time of great need — even hunger at times. There were years when Paul was not able to support himself financially because he was imprisoned. During those years he depended completely on the help visitors and coworkers sent by congregations like those in Philippi.

There had been years where Paul had a successful ministry among the congregations because he was free to concentrate on his teaching and encouragement while at the same time providing for his own needs through his bivocational ministry of tent-making.

Because God has taught him contentment and trust, and because of the help God gave him through his supporters, Paul was able to cope with anything.

Lord, give us the spiritual strength that will help us to cope — to be content in times of plenty and times of hunger.

Posted in blessings, contentment, poverty | Tagged Philippians 4 | Leave a comment

unlocking joy

Posted on January 30, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Photo by PhotoMIX Ltd. on Pexels.com

unlocking joy

Philippians 4:4-9 (JDV)

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Philippians 4:5 Let your restraint be known to every human. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:8 Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy – dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:9 Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

unlocking joy

We don’t always feel joyful. How can we rejoice always? Is it even possible? Sometimes we feel like being joyful, but it is like the joy is locked up inside us, and we cannot free it.

Paul’s advice for the Philippians is not a generic joy, but a specific, particular joy. Paul told them to rejoice in the Lord always. How do we unlock this kind of joy? Here are some guidelines:

Joy in the Lord is not ecstatic, unbridled emotion. It is joy characterized by restraint.
Joy in the Lord comes from hearts and minds guarded by peace.
Joy in the Lord comes from dwelling on morally excellent and praiseworthy things.
Joy in the Lord comes from following the good example of spiritual leaders.

Lord, help us to live right, so that we can be joyful always.

Posted in joy, leadership, peace, Uncategorized | Tagged Philippians 4 | Leave a comment

coming to agreement

Posted on January 29, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

photo of people holding each other s hands

Photo by fauxels on Pexels.com

coming to agreement

Philippians 4:1 So then, my dearly cared about and longed for brothers and sisters, my joy and crown, in this manner stand firm in the Lord, dear cared about ones.
Philippians 4:2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be in agreement in the Lord.
Philippians 4:3 Yes, I also ask you, true partner, to help these women who have contended for the gospel at my side, along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers whose names are in the book of life.

coming to agreement

Wikipedia* includes this statement in its article on these two women:

“Not surprisingly, Euodia and Syntyche are chiefly remembered as two people who had an argument, and their names are most commonly associated with disagreement. However, for some commentators, as also for some church institutions, there is further significance in the implied leadership role of the two women within the Philippian church. This leadership role, which some have suggested included ordained ministry, is taken to be implied both by Paul’s interest in their argument, and by the language used by Paul in addressing their disagreement.”

Yes, I can see that. Anyone who Paul claims has contended for the gospel at his side is certainly a church leader. Why should we be surprised to find female church leaders anywhere? The Holy Spirit, who empowers people for ministry, was poured out on the poor and the rich, slave and free, Jew and Gentile, male and female.

Both of these women had influence in the Philippian congregations, so it was important that they set their differences aside and come to agreement for the sake of God’s kingdom and their mission.

Lord, help us to find unity, so that your mission is not hindered by our stubbornness.

______________________

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euodia_and_Syntyche

transformers

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

shallow focus photography of blue alpine car

Photo by ALEXGTACAR on Pexels.com

transformers

Philippians 3:15 -21 (JDV)
Philippians 3:15 Then, let all of us who are mature think these thoughts. And if you think other thoughts about anything, God will reveal this also to you.
Philippians 3:16 In any case, we should be in line with whatever truth we have arrived at.
Philippians 3:17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.
Philippians 3:18 You see, I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many are living as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on things of the land,
Philippians 3:20 but our citizenship is in the sky, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:21 He will transform the body of our humble state into one like his glorious body, by the achieving energy that enables him to subject everything to himself.

transformers

There is a series of movies out in which the heroes are machines who transform themselves into (of all things) other machines. Paul encouraged the Philippians to think of themselves as transformers as well. He said that there are some among them that are trying to prevent the transformation. These are false teachers whose god is their own stomach. These are focused on the land — the present humble state, and they are enemies of the cross of Christ. They need to be avoided, and their teaching rejected.

But Paul encouraged the Philippians to stay true to the truth, and the Lord would transform them into something permanent. The others — the ones who are Christ’s enemies — will not become permanent. Their end is destruction.

Lord, we surrender to your power to keep us in your truth, and await our transformation at your return.

Other posts covering Philippians 3:15-21

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2020/11/termination/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2014/07/to-die-is-gain/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2014/07/11/to-die-is-gain/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/articles/annihilationism/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2015/10/embarrassing-lessons-in-ministry/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2011/05/14/excursus-hell-is-permanent/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2018/01/set-apart-destruction/

https://hence4th.org/2019/05/14/set-apart-for-destruction/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2011/07/problem-of-hell/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2011/07/17/solving-the-problem-of-hell/

https://jeffersonvann.com/2013/01/29/acst-56-the-saved/

https://hence4th.org/2019/03/12/assembly-body-bride-the-saved/

https://www.afterlife.co.nz/2018/05/pauls-sky-and-land-references/

Posted in destruction in hell, glory, sanctification, second coming | Tagged Philippians 3 | Leave a comment

his invitation — our goal

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

Photo by THR GRLN on Pexels.com

his invitation — our goal

Philippians 3:9-14

Philippians 3:9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ – the righteousness from God based on faith.
Philippians 3:10 My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the partnership of his sufferings, being conformed to his death,
Philippians 3:11 assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
Philippians 3:12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already complete, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,
Philippians 3:14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s high invitation in Christ Jesus.

his invitation — our goal

God’s high invitation is not an invitation to heaven. Lots of people think that is the goal of the Christian life, but it was not Paul’s goal. He told the Philippians that his goal was a personal relationship with Christ, even sharing in his sufferings, so that he might reach the final stage of that partnership — sharing in his resurrection from among the dead.

Some teach that all Christians already share in that resurrection — that it is a spiritual resurrection which ensures that we will survive death. Paul would have none of that foolishness. He admitted that he had not already reached the goal.

God calls each one of us to a journey, and the ultimate destination of that journey is not a life in the clouds. It is a permanent life. That life will begin not when this one ends, but when Christ returns to raise us from the dead.

Lord, we have responded to your heavenly invitation. We make it our goal know you and the power of your resurrection.

new math

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

accounting administration books business

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

new math

Philippians 3:1-8 (JDV)

Philippians 3:1 From now on, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write to you again about this causes no trouble for me and is a safeguard for you.
Philippians 3:2 Watch out for the dogs, watch out for the evil workers, watch out for those who mutilate the flesh.
Philippians 3:3 You see, we are the circumcision, the ones who worship by the Breath of God, brag about Christ Jesus, and do not put confidence in the flesh –
Philippians 3:4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more:
Philippians 3:5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew from Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee;
Philippians 3:6 regarding zeal, persecuting the congregation; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.
Philippians 3:7 But everything that was a plus to me, I have considered to be a minus because of Christ.
Philippians 3:8 More than that, I also consider everything to be a minus in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered losing all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

new math

Paul was able to think clearly about his past, and focus on staying true to the gospel in the present, because he recognized the principle of the new math. All of his former accomplishments registered as a minus on the ledger. All of his respectable pedigree that he inherited, being born at the right time in the right place, to the right parents — that accounted for nothing as well. In fact, it too was a minus, because if he trusted in it, it would keep him from trusting Christ. The gospel of grace does more than just put us all on a level playing field. It makes us all losers, and totally dependent on God for deliverance. But the good news is that God takes losers, and introduces them to his Christ. Knowing Christ turns our losing into winning, because gaining him has surpassing value.

Father, thank you that we are losers, who have found the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

selfless servants

Posted on January 25, 2021 by Jefferson Vann

man wearing blue scrub suit and mask sitting on bench

Photo by Jonathan Borba on Pexels.com

selfless servants

Philippians 2:19-30 (JDV)
Philippians 2:19 Now I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon so that I too may be encouraged by news about you.
Philippians 2:20 You see, I have no one else of like disposition who will genuinely care about your interests;
Philippians 2:21 all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 2:22 But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.
Philippians 2:23 For this reason, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.
Philippians 2:24 I am confident in the Lord that I myself will also come soon.
Philippians 2:25 But I considered it necessary to send you Epaphroditus – my brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier, as well as your missionary and servant to my need –
Philippians 2:26 since he has been longing for all of you and was distressed because you heard that he was sick.
Philippians 2:27 Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow.
Philippians 2:28 For this reason, I am very eager to send him so that you may rejoice again when you see him and I may be less anxious.
Philippians 2:29 For this reason, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor,
Philippians 2:30 because he came close to death for the achievement of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

selfless servants

Paul had told the Philippians that they should have the same attitude as Christ, who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death” (2:8). He put us ahead of himself. Now, Paul gets the chance to brag about two of his fellow missionaries, who demonstrated this kind of selfless obedience as partners with Paul in his ministry. Timothy is commended because he genuinely cares for the interest of the churches. Epaphroditus remained committed to his mission even after he became deathly ill. These are the kind of servants who make their master proud, because they understand his heart.

Lord, give us the heart of selfless servants, putting your mission and your flock first.