February 17
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GIVING FROM THE HEART
15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone; 16 for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. 17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. – Philippians 4:15-18
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In this letter, Paul commends the Philippian church for partnering with him in ministry by their giving. He is grateful to them that even when he was in Thessalonica, they continued to give out of their generosity. Paul clearly explained that he wasn’t thankful for the gift itself, but for the gain that it will bring to their faith. He calls it a fragrant aroma, which is an acceptable sacrifice that is pleasing to God. In Acts 16:6-10, Paul travelled to Macedonia as the first leg of his ministry to spread the gospel. Verse 15 gives reference to this first preaching of the gospel after he left Macedonia. Paul claimed that no other church partnered with him in spreading the gospel, only the Philippian church did. The Philippians supported and provided Paul’s needs more than once. How often do we partner with kingdom work so that the gospel may be preached? The Philippians gives us an example of giving from the heart. It probably wasn’t important how big or small the gift was, but it was done in an attitude of generosity, which is one of God’s trait. God loves a cheerful giver and he doesn’t want us to give just out of compulsion or obligation, but out of love. He likens the gain of the act of giving as a sacrifice to God, just like in the Old testament when they offer animal sacrifices and burnt them becomes a pleasing aroma to God because they honored him with these sacrifices, wanting to please their God. Exodus 29:18 says “It is a burnt offering to the LORD, a pleasing aroma, a food offering presented to the LORD” which also alludes to Christ’s love for us when He gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God in Ephesians 5:2. In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul tells this church that they should follow the example of the Philippians in terms of giving. Paul testifies to the generosity of the Philippians. In verse 2, Paul commends them that in the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important that your giving be from the heart and not out of compulsion?
Monthly Archives: February 2021
CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET TO LIVING
February 16
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CONTENTMENT: THE SECRET TO LIVING
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked an opportunity to act. 11 Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. 14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my difficulty.
– Philippians 4:10-14
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In this letter, Paul addresses the issues that James addresses in his book on chapter 1. He says in verses 14-15 that the source of our sins is from our lusts which leads us to pursue it and conceives and gives birth to sin and when sin has been born, it brings us to death. The antidote to sin is this letter of Paul to the Philippians which tackles the secret to living a life that God planned for us. In verse 10, he mentions how glad he was that they were concerned for him but wasn’t able to act on it because they didn’t have an opportunity to do so. He gives them his secret to living a worry-free life: contentment. In verse 12, he says that he is able to accept whatever circumstance comes his way. He wasn’t even concerned if he had little or much. He declares that he is thankful when he is lacking and also thankful when he is prosperous. Verse 13 had always been a misunderstood verse because many people think that it is being given strength in doing things through Christ. But Paul uses this verse to indicate that it is in contentment that we can do all things in Christ. In verse 14, Paul acknowledges their concern on his difficulties.
Contentment is a novelty right now in our world. We always find something to complain about or to be dissatisfied with. Isn’t Paul wise to know that all good gifts come from God and He works all things together for good for those who loves him? Whether we are placed in a circumstance that is difficult and uncomfortable, he always has a reason for allowing us to go through these trials and challenges. Our human nature makes us quick to see the inconvenience of things and ask the “why” questions instead of looking at these situations as training ground for us to endure and grow our faith in Christ. Why can’t we as “What do you want me to learn from this Lord?” instead of “Why is this happening to me?”
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REFLECTION
• What are some of the causes of your discontent or dissatisfaction in life?
THINK OF THESE THINGS ILMA’S VLOG
February 15
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THINK OF THESE THINGS
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. – Philippians 4:8-9
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Paul gives us a guideline of what thoughts we need to let our minds think about. Not everything that comes to our minds should be entertained or dwelled upon. In his 2nd letter to the Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul instructs the believers how to examine these strongholds or thoughts and mindsets that goes against the knowledge of God and make them captive to obey Christ. According to sources, the letter to the Corinthians were written AD 55-56 and the letter to the Philippians were written AD 60-62. So, Paul is continually teaching believers that renewal of the mind is essential in our walk of faith. In this letter, he enumerates in detail what thoughts are approved by God. These are the following things that God wants us to focus on:
1. Whatever is true (accurately lining up with God’s truth)
2. Whatever is honorable (honest and fair, deserving of respect)
3. Whatever is right (what is morally good, justified and acceptable to God)
4. Whatever is pure (free of corruption or contamination from the world system)
5. Whatever is lovely (delightful, gracious, harmonious)
6. Whatever is commendable (outstanding, exemplary)
7. Whatever is excellent (magnificent, skillful)
8. Whatever is praiseworthy (good report, admirable)
Are most of our thoughts qualify as the things that God wants us to think about? Aren’t we most inclined to listen to lies from the world system? Aren’t we stingy to give affirmation? Don’t we live compromised lives that do not proclaim what is right? Don’t we praise delightful acts and behavior of others? Don’t many of us become envious of people who do outstanding acts and we do not commend them? Don’t we encourage those who does excellently and instead find things to criticize about people? Don’t we talk about good report or admirable things? Paul constantly reminds us that we need to focus on these thoughts so that we are not going to be defeated by the enemy’s tactics.
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REFLECTION
• Which among this list of things to think about do you struggle with? Why?
PRAYER & THANKSGIVING EQUALS GOD’S PEACE ILMA’S VLOG
February 14
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PRAYER & THANKSGIVING EQUALS GOD’S PEACE
5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:5-7
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In this letter of Paul, he recommends to the Philippians the importance of having a gentle spirit and having it manifest for all people to see. Baker’s Evangelical defines “gentleness as a sensitivity of disposition and kindness of behavior founded on strength and prompted by love. In the King James version, it is defined as moderation. Why does Paul advised the Philippians to show it off? Human nature will not automatically be gentle, that is why Paul probably explains in the next sentence of the same verse that the Lord is near. Without the Lord’s presence in our lives, it is impossible for us to be gentle. After the fall of Adam and Eve, our nature is inclined to being selfish. One cannot be gentle, unless they have Christ in them, who is the epitome of selflessness and sacrifice.
Paul also gives the believers an antidote to worry and anxiety which is prayer and thanksgiving. Because of the curse of the fall of our first parents, the key to our freedom and dominion was handed to the serpent. This is why it is so easy for us to sin but very hard to stay pure and holy. Worry and anxiety is sin because when we indulge ourselves in these two negative acts, we are not operating in the image that God created us to be, which is love. Since God is love, and we are made in His image, we are supposed to operate in love. Perfect love casts out fear. So, fear is the cause of worry and anxiety. It is a form of mistrust in the character of God who is our protector, provider and maker. In Matthew 6:26-28, we are given an explanation why worry and anxiety are something that questions God’s provision and love for us. When we pray, we are humbling ourselves to a higher being who is so good to provide all our needs. When we thank the Lord for all his gifts, there will be no room for worry or anxiety. As we pray and give thanks, we reap peace that exceeds all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Jesus. What powerful life lessons Paul gives the believers! He equips us to walk in the Spirit instead of gratifying our flesh and sinful nature.
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REFLECTION
• How does the world view worry and anxiety as opposed to God’s view?
INSTRUCTION TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE
February 13
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INSTRUCTION TO EUODIA AND SYNTYCHE
Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, whom I long to see, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also, help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement as well as the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice! – Philippians 4:1-4
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According to an article in gotquestions.org, it seems that Euodia and Syntyche had worked directly with Paul to spread the gospel throughout the city of Phillipi, although it is unclear in what manner. The church had begun at a women’s prayer meeting (Acts 16:11–15), and it is quite possible that Euodia and Syntyche were part of that original group. The one thing we know for sure is that these two women were at odds with each other. It is likely the brawl was a public one, due to the fact that Paul had heard about it even though he was currently in a Roman prison “in chains” (Philippians 1:13). Two women fighting in this manner would have put the unity of the believers in Philippi in jeopardy, so it was important for Paul to address the bickering in his letter to the church.
Paul didn’t dismiss this issue with the women, he called them to live in integrity and as the Lord instructs all believers. They were all very important to Paul as verse 1 says. He considers them his joy and crown. Paul didn’t scold the two women, instead he advised them to live in harmony with the Lord. He didn’t take sides, but reminded them of the reason why they were all fellow workers of Christ and how they need to be united in the cause of the gospel of Christ.
Clement, mentioned by Paul in this letter, was one of the apostle’s constant fellow-travelers according to Christianity.com article about her. Paul stresses that Clement was in the book of life, just like all the other believers who works for the cause of Christ. He mentions that rejoicing is important in living the life of a believer.
The church is composed of people who are sinners (but have been forgiven when they received Christ) therefore, conflicts are inevitable. Paul acknowledges the humanity of all the saints, but encourages them to choose to live the life that Jesus sampled for them when he was amongst sinners. It is only possible to overcome our sinful nature if we abide and follow Jesus. We can be united despite our differences if we walk in love.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to address conflicts and divisions in a church right away?
WALK AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN ILMA’S VLOG
February 12
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WALK AS CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
17 Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. 18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even as I weep, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who have their minds on earthly things. 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. – Philippians 3:17-21
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In these passages, Paul emphasizes the importance of walking as citizens of heaven. In Hebrew, walk is hâlak. According to studylight.org, it is a general term for going and a specific term for walking regularly in relationship or companionship with another or with a set of ideas. Paul pleads the believers to follow his example of walking with Jesus. He warns them of those who claim they are believers, and yet, walk like enemies of God. In verses19, he explains how they are walking opposite of what Jesus taught because of their appetite on the physical or worldly things. In verse 20, Paul reminds them of their citizenship in heaven, where they are eagerly awaiting their Savior, the Lord Jesus. He reminds them of the promise of Jesus in verse 21 where their bodies will be transformed into like Jesus’ glorious body.
Barclay comments that the enemies of Christ were two sets of people within the church. There were those who distorted the principle of Christian liberty. These people turned Christian liberty into unchristian licence and gloried in giving their passions full play. There were those who distorted the Christian doctrine of grace. They said that, since grace was wide enough to cover every sin, a man could sin as he liked and not worry; it would make no difference to the all-forgiving love of God. They may have been misguided Christians who twisted the loveliest things into justification for the ugliest sins. We need to be careful of these kinds of people in the church. Paul wants them to clearly see the difference of those people and how they can derail them from the path that Jesus wants them to take. Paul admonishes the Philippians to focus on living for Jesus and that means that they need to follow the gospel and look forward to the promise of spending eternity with the Lord Jesus Christ.
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REFLECTION
• How can we continually walk as citizens of heaven?
PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL
February 11
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PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL
12 Not that I have already grasped it all or have already become perfect, but I press on if I may also take hold of that for which I was even taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, all who are mature, let’s have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that to you as well; 16 however, let’s keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. – Philippians 3:12-16
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In these passages from Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we hear Paul encouraging the believers to press on toward the goal towards the purpose that Jesus has called them. He admits that he is still in the process of moving towards that goal of that call that God has called him. According to Jonathan Petersen’s article on “When was Each book of the bible written?”, the book of James was written in AD 44-49 which makes it the first book written in the New Testament and Philippians was written in AD 60-62. Paul must have been referring to “becoming perfect” in reference to James concept of being perfect is clearly stated in his book in his first chapter verses 2-4 which explains what perfection is in God’s eyes. It is when we rejoice in trial and suffering so that our endurance can grow and our faith and character grows so we can be content and not needing anything. The world on the other hand view perfection very differently. Most of Paul’s teachings goes back to James’ teachings as well.
The following verses talks about pressing on, in other words, enduring. Just as in a race, the athletes must be able to look ahead towards the goal to reach the prize, Paul also tells the believers to focus their gaze on the prize of eternity that is in Jesus. He admits to them that he hasn’t arrived yet and is still pressing on to that purpose that Christ has called him. Paul recommends that there must be no other distractions and trials that will make them stop looking forward to that goal of being with Jesus in the end. He talks about the mature believers who will not let anything come in the way of their growth or progress toward the goal of becoming more and more like Jesus. He advised them to not look back at their defeats but to get up and run the race to get to that goal and never let anything hinder them from that maturity that Jesus wants them to aim at.
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REFLECTION
• What can be some distractions that stop you from pressing on the goal to Jesus?
COUNTING LOSSES AS GAINS FOR CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
February 10
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COUNTING LOSSES AS GAINS FOR CHRIST
7 But whatever things were gain to me, these things I have counted as loss because of Christ. 8 More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them mere rubbish, so that I may gain Christ, 9 and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; 11 if somehow I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.- Philippians 3:7-11
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In the previous verses 3-6, Paul claims the many things that qualifies him to boast about all the legitimacy of his zest to know God’s law and being a Hebrew of Hebrews, in the following verses, he claims that they are not useful for him anymore because of Christ. Though he used to value all his knowledge of the law, he doesn’t consider it that important anymore because he has gained Christ already. He now thinks all these things that used to matter much to him, is no longer of value to him anymore. In verse 9, he rejects any form of self-righteousness he may have gained from knowing and following the law. The Holy Spirit must have changed Paul entirely because in verse 9, he now sees how faith in Christ is the only way he will have the righteousness of God.
Spurgeon says “He was skilled in spiritual arithmetic, and very careful in his reckoning. He cast up his accounts with caution, and observed with a diligent eye his losses and his gains.” We can say that Paul’s attitude was the same that Jesus described in the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46 which says 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
David Guzik comments that Paul did not only count his religious pedigree as a loss; he counted all things loss – but he counted them as a loss in view of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. It wasn’t so much that those things were worthless in themselves, but compared to the greatness of the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, they really were nothing. This counting loss was not merely an internal spiritual exercise. Paul had indeed suffered the loss of all things that he might gain Christ.
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REFLECTION
• What have you given up and counted as losses in order to gain Christ?
PAUL’S LEGITIMACY AS A HEBREW OF HEBREWS
February 9
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PAUL’S LEGITIMACY AS A HEBREW OF HEBREWS
4 Although I myself could boast as having confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he is confident in the flesh, I have more reason: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. – Philippians 3:4-6
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In these passages in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he tells them why he as more reason to have confidence in the flesh. In verse 5, one of his reasons is that he belongs to the tribe of Benjamin, a distinguished tribe, because it gave Israel its first king, Saul as 1 Samuel 9:1-2 states. He was also circumcised on the eight day in accordance with Leviticus 12:3. Since he came from the tribe of Benjamin, he was a true descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, therefore, an heir to God’s covenant with them. Paul also claims that he is a Hebrew of Hebrews, meaning he was a Jew who embraced Greek culture as it spread through the Mediterranean. According to a commentary by David Guzik, during those times, many Jews were ashamed of being Jews and liked to live like Greeks, and sometimes even to the point of having their circumcision cosmetically restored or hidden so they could enjoy the Roman public baths without being noticed as Jews. In contrast, Paul was raised by his parents as a Hebrew of the Hebrews.
Paul has all the reasons why he might have confidence in the flesh. He says that among an elite people which were the Jews, he was of an elite sect, the Pharisees, who were known for their scrupulous devotion to God’s laws. According to another commentary, there were not even six thousand Pharisees, who were called the spiritual athletes of Judaism. Pharisee, their very name, means “The Separated Ones.” Barclays says that they had separated themselves off from all common life and from all common tasks in order to make it the one aim of their lives to keep every smallest detail of the law. Paul was not merely an intellectual opponent of perceived heresies against Judaism; he was also an active fighter against them – even in his blindness to God. This shows that Paul achieved the standard of righteousness which was accepted among the men of his day. So, Paul claims that he is more than qualified than anyone else to boast in the flesh than any of the Jews who claim righteousness and zeal for following the laws. He knows them more than any other Jews who claims they do.
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REFLECTION
• What is Paul’s point in stating that he is a Hebrew of Hebrews to the Philippians?
REJOICE IN THE LORD AND BEWARE OF EVIL ILMA’S VLOG
February 8
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REJOICE IN THE LORD AND BEWARE OF EVIL
Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble for me, and it is a safeguard for you.2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; 3 for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and take pride in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh, – Philippians 3:1-3
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In these passages, Paul tells us to embrace a spirit of rejoicing. When we focus on the Lord, we will be amazed and awed by what he provides for us and what protection he cloaks us with. But the Lord also warns us through Paul to be vigilant and watchful for evil that surrounds us in this world that we live in. Paul takes the responsibility to constantly remind the Philippians of how they can safeguard their new creation in Christ. There are some things he particularly calls our attention to such as:
*Beware of the dogs – in a commentary by David Guzik, “dogs” is exactly the term of contempt Jews would use against Gentiles. Paul said a lot by using this word against these Jewish-influenced legalists.
*Beware of the evil workers – the Jews thought they were good workers who obeyed the law strictly, thinking that God approved them, but Paul calls them evil because they deny that salvation is a gift from God, and they turn people away from God.
*Beware of false circumcision – the Jews were proud of their physical sign of circumcision (a covenant with God that went back to Abraham’s time (Genessis17:10) Paul used two Greek words very like each other. Instead of ‘cutting round’ (circumcision), they were ‘cutting to pieces’ (concision). The law forbade Jews to make cuts on the body (Leviticus 21:5). What God required was a ‘circumcision’ of the heart. God does not require people to trust in laws and ceremonies, as the Jews did. He requires a humble trust in his mercy. Paul said that the Jews were causing injury to the true faith. It was as if they were cutting it to pieces.
In verse 3, Paul emphasizes the true circumcision as the true believer who worships God in Sprit who only boasts about truth and the things of the Spirit; someone who never entertains their flesh cravings or depend on their strength to earn their salvation, just like the Jews did. Paul didn’t want the Philippians to be religious, but have relationship with their one and only God.
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REFLECTION
• Why can’t evil people rejoice in the Lord? What disqualifies them from rejoicing?