ATTITUDE

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LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Philippians

Read Philippians 2

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

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     Paul continues his words of exhortation for unity in the church at Philippi. These new believers have trusted in Christ for their salvation and are growing in faith. He reminds them that they don’t have to do it in their own strength: “for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” (13-16)

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     Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your Spirit to help me to will and act according to Your purpose. Forgive me when I complain or argue, and give me the encouraging, uplifting words of life that will shine like stars in the darkness.

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    " If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."    Philippians 2:1-2 NIV

THE GIFT OF GOD

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THE VALUE OF WORK

Read Ecclesiastes 11–12

     Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6 NIV

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     When Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes, he was old and looking back on his selfish life. With his God-given wisdom still intact, he looks at all of his achievements and comes to an interesting conclusion: "I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." (3:12-13)

     He encourages young men to seek God early in life, saying, “Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come–“(12:1 NKJV) Solomon discovered that wisdom without God's blessing is meaningless. He said, "All things are wearisome, more than one can say… What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again." (1:8-10)

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     Lord, help me to resist this attitude toward my daily responsibilities. Perhaps if I pray for each family member as I fold clothes, the task of laundry won't seem so endless. Thank you for the gift of children and a husband who sits at our table each evening. Help me to serve them with a joyful spirit, remembering that “this is the gift of God.”

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     Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work–this is a gift of God.   Ecclesiastes 5:19 NIV

HIDDEN FAULTS

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MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

Read Psalm 19

     The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple… They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey… Psalm 19:7b, 10

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     David praises the Scriptures as trustworthy, right, radiant, pure and altogether righteous. Then he asks the question, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults."(19:12) Meditating on God’s Word gives us discernment. The voices of the world and the devil are ever with us and Satan often presents his ideas in a reasonable way. The only way to correctly sort out our own thoughts is by time spent in the Word. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

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     Thank You Lord when the message is sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. Thank You also, when it convicts me and motivates me to correct my sinful thoughts and misguided actions. What wisdom and riches we have in Your trustworthy Word! We need that wisdom as we seek to cultivate a love of Scripture in the hearts of our children.

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     May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV