Paulas words address this issue in masterly fashion. The key to all spiritual life is found in the indwelling presence of the Lord. The believer needs to know that aG.o.d is working in you,a imparting both athe desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases hima (2:13). This does not excuse a pa.s.sive approach to life which says, aIf heas living in me and heas going to do it, let him!a Rather, it inspires the discouraged, the fearful, and the inadequate to obey, knowing that G.o.d not only inspires the desire, but also empowers the action. And the light shines brightly.

March 1

TO READ: Philippians 2:19-30

The Supporting Role

I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.

Philippians 2:20-21

One thing to be said in favor of the Academy Awards, the Oscars, is that while they acknowledge star quality and have probably done as much as anything to elevate people to superstar status, they do not overlook the value of the supporting role. Oscars are awarded for abest picturea and abest actor,a but abest costumesa and abest actor in a supporting rolea are also recognized.

This is not just a matter of even-handednessa"it is a recognition of the fact that there would be no superstars without someone playing the supporting role. There are no superstar quarterbacks without offensive linemen! Violin virtuosos need someone playing the second fiddle well.

Paul would have been horrified at the thought that he would eventually achieve superstar status in the worldwide church. Nevertheless, it is a fact. It is widely recognized, as far as we are able to ascertain, that no man, with the obvious exception of the Lord Jesus, has done more than Paul to establish the eternal kingdom. And yet even a casual glance at Paulas letters reveals his deep indebtedness to his supporting cast.

Take Timothy, for instance. This young man was exemplary. Paul said, aI have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christa (Phil. 2:20-21). Paul had found in Timothy a kindred spirit. Paul, who was never reluctant to admit his times of discouragement, actually looked to this young man to cheer him up (2:19) and considered him a asona to him in his advancing years.

Then there was Epaphroditus, aa true brother, a faithful worker, and a courageous soldiera (2:25). When Paul was lonely, he needed a brother alongside. When the work was overwhelming, he needed another pair of hands. And when the battle was raging, he needed someone watching his flank. And young Epaphroditus was therea"a brother, worker, and soldier.

The Philippians knew their apostle well, and when they were concerned about him, they sent Epaphroditus. Paul acknowledged gratefully that Epaphroditus had come ato help me in my needa (2:25). Despite his serious illness, Epaphroditus, who was more concerned about his family worrying about him than he was concerned about his illness, carried on faithfully. Even mortal illness did not deter him.

Paul managed wonderfully well without the Web, the cell phone, the fax, or the computer. But I doubt if he could have managed without his Timothys and Epaphrodituses! Neither can men today.

March 2

TO READ: Philippians 3:1-16

Bragging Rights

For we who worship G.o.d in the Spirit are the only ones who are truly circ.u.mcised. We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us.

Philippians 3:3

Men love to brag. Old men regale their grandchildren with awar storiesa of daring exploits in foreign lands, while younger fathers tell their children of athletic prowess and dazzling performances in years long gone. Males of inferior morality brag about s.e.xual conquests, men of superior intellect of academic honors. The need to impress seems to flow in the testosterone.

When it comes to their spiritual lives, men tend to be more reticent. If pushed to talk about their religion, they may fall back on bragging about a heritage they no longer pursue and about rituals to which they no longer relate. They may wish to suggest that they are living lives that, while far from perfection, are close enough to a pa.s.sing grade.

There was a time when the apostle Paul had a right to brag about religious matters. His response to the religious tradition into which he was born had been extraordinary. He dared to say, regarding his religious status and practice, aI could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!a (Phil. 3:4). Paul then listed heritage, commitment, and activities that would impress anyone.

But then, Paul disavowed them all! aI once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has donea (3:7). Paul quit bragging! In its place, a humble, trusting att.i.tude was born. It was his discovery of Christ that made the difference. Paul stated simply, aI trust Christ to save mea (3:9). He began to see boundless possibilities in his new relationship with the Lord: aI can really know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I can learn what it means to suffer with hima (3:10). And he looked forward to eventually experiencing aresurrection from the deada (3:11). All because of Christa"and not because of himself!

Lest he should fall into the trap of bragging about his new found faith, however, Paul quickly added, aI donat mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to bea (3:12).

Apparently Paul suspected that some of his readers might not aagree on these thingsa (3:15), so he added, aWe must be sure to obey the truth we have learned alreadya (3:16).

Perhaps the men among Paulas readers still wanted to brag. The habit dies hard. But die it must.

March 3

TO READ: Philippians 3:17a"4:3

Enemies of the Cross

For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their G.o.d is their appet.i.te, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth.

Philippians 3:18-19

On the banks of the river Neva in St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia, stands the ma.s.sive green, gold, and white building called the Winter Palace, which includes the Hermitage Museum. The priceless art collection of the Empress Catherine II that is displayed there includes numerous fine religious works by the great masters. Prominent among them are depictions of Christas crucifixion.

It is ironic that during the days of the Marxist regime, these artistic masterpieces bore dramatic silent testimony to the crucified Savior whom those in authority in the land were at great pains to disavow. The men who were at heart aenemies of the cross of Christa (Phil. 3:18) were confronted by heartrending images of Christas anguish and of his followersa devastation and despair. But their hearts remained unchanged.

It is hard to imagine how anyone looking at depictions of the cross could feel anything less than pity and sorrow for the one hanging there. And yet down through the centuries there has been no shortage of detractors and rejecters of the cross.

Paul certainly encountered aenemies of the crossa in his day, and he knew how to recognize them, even when they tried to project a love for Christ and his cross in the Christian community. Paul said, aThere are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christa (3:18). It was their conduct that gave them away.

The behavior of the enemies of the cross need not be overtly antagonistic, like the Marxists in authority in Leningrad were. Paul described how enemies often behave. He wrote, aTheir G.o.d is their appet.i.te, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on eartha (3:19). They are purely sensual, utterly shameless, and totally secular. In modern society, they are regarded as totally acceptable and perfectly normal. What, then, is the problem?

Christ died on the cross to deal with manas sin. Sin is the power that perverts manas sensuality, deadens his sense of shame, and fools him into thinking this world is the reality, rather than a shadow, of existence. But enemies of the cross see no need for forgiveness, and they resent those who suggest they do! They prefer self-indulgence to self-sacrifice as modeled on the cross, and they regard Christas followers as sadly misguided individuals who are missing out on life. They may even endeavor to convert the Christian from the aerrora of his ways.

Tragically, atheir future is eternal destructiona (3:19). No wonder Paul spoke of them awith tears in [his] eyesa (3:18).

March 4

TO READ: Philippians 4:4-9

Enjoying Joy

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it againa"rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Church leaders are well aware that disagreements among partic.i.p.ants in church life are not uncommon. Music is one of the most controversial areas. One minister had a problem with his choir, who decided to withdraw their services unless their demands were met. He responded by writing a hymn which included the line aLet those refuse to sing who never knew our Lord!a This may have helped the minister feel better, but it probably did little to resolve the conflict. Styles of music vary so dramatically and musical tastes have been nurtured by such widely divergent experiences that music too easily becomes a battleground, a test of spiritual orthodoxy, or a determinant as to what const.i.tutes worship. No wonder someone said, aWhen the devil was thrown out of heaven, he landed in the choir loft.a Notwithstanding the struggles and pain surrounding music in the church, it is still one of the greatest means of expressing praise, giving thanks, and generating joy in the company of G.o.das people. And praise, joy, thanks, and delight are integral parts of the believeras life.

This should not surprise us, because G.o.d is a joyful G.o.d! Zephaniah tells us, aFor the LORD your G.o.d has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy songa (Zeph. 3:17). A singing G.o.d? A joyful G.o.d? Undoubtedly! So, of course his people should be a joyful people.

Paul, writing from prison, insisted, aAlways be full of joy in the Lord. I say it againa"rejoice!a (Phil. 4:4). It adds poignancy to this instruction to realize that these words were penned in a dismal prison cell by a man under sentence of death. aAlwaysa in Paulas mind apparently meant always! But isnat this unrealistic? Arenat we allowed adown daysa? In fact, didnat Paul get discouraged and depressed and even despair of life itself on occasion? Yes, he did, but he was not contradicting himself. Note carefully what he actually said: aAlways be full of joy in the Lord.a To be ain the Lorda is to be conscious of being part of his salvation, kept in his love, guarded by his grace, comforted with his compa.s.sion, convinced of his faithfulness, and secure in his hand.

It is not in our circ.u.mstances that we find the ability to be afull of joy.a Circ.u.mstances often wonat allow it. Joy resides ain the Lorda in the midst of our circ.u.mstances. This is worth singing abouta"and agreeing on!

March 5

TO READ: Psalm 18:1-25

Words Are Words

I love you, LORD; you are my strength.

Psalm 18:1

In Shakespeareas play Oth.e.l.lo, when the wealthy senator of Venice learned that his beloved daughter had secretly married a Moor (a man of African descent), he was outraged. But realizing that he was powerless to undo what she had done, the senator listened to the advice of the Duke, who said, aThe robbad that smiles steals something from the thief.a So, as we would say, he decided to agrin and bear it!a But then his daughter said that her allegiance was now to her husband rather than her father. No doubt smarting, the senator said, Words are words; I never yet did hear That the bruisad heart was pierced through the ear.

Recognizing the emotional state the senator was in, we must cut him some slack. But can we agree that awords are wordsa in the sense that they are merely sounds that emanate from the larynx? That the heart is not touched, bruised, lifted, or smitten by words? Surely not. Words can be weapons to wound, medicine to heal, a messenger to convey good news, or an instrument to play a happy tune.

David, the psalmist, knew this when, in a high state of emotion on the day he was finally rescued from his relentless enemies, he wrote in simple, plain, unambiguous words, aI love you, Lorda (Ps. 18:1). Not content with that, however, David then used wordsa"picturesque, pointed wordsa"to explain what he thought of the Lord: aThe Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior, my G.o.d is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my strongholda (18:2).

David could simply have stated that he had gone through hard times. Instead, he wrote, aThe ropes of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the facea (18:4-5). And his description of the Lordas response was dramatic and memorable, written in terms of an earthquake, fire, storm clouds, lightning, and thunder (18:7-19). David used such words so that the choir could sing them to the people. Then they, too, would have their hearts inflamed with love for the Lord as they envisioned him, the invisible one, as a rock, a shield, a stronghold, a fortress. They would be moved as they afelta the pain David had endured and asawa the Lordas earth-moving response.

We use words, too. But to what effect? To praise, to wound, to heal, to enthuse? Watch your words. Say awords are wordsa if you will. But words are wonderful.

March 6

TO READ: Proverbs 20:1-21

The Gift of Eyes and Ears

Ears to hear and eyes to seea"both are gifts from the LORD.

Proverbs 20:12

Helen Keller was born in 1880. When she was not yet two years old, she had a fever in which she lost both her hearing and her sight. Think of it, she was unable to see, hear, or speak! Yet she excelled to such an extent that she graduated c.u.m laude from Radcliffe College. She said, athe problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important, than those of blindness. Deafness is a much worse misfortune for it means the loss of the most vital stimulusa"the sound of the voicea"that brings language, sets thoughts astir, and keeps us in the intellectual company of man.a13 The little lady might find herself in an argument if she returned to the world today. Now we say, aA picture is worth a thousand words,a and we are told that with the advent of television people are more visually oriented. We can say, though, that to lose either sight or hearing has momentous effects on human life.

The writer of Proverbs did not get into comparisons of the relative worth of eye and ear because he believed, aEars to hear and eyes to seea"both are gifts from the Lorda (Prov. 20:12). We need to appreciate these gifts. We need to make use of our G.o.d-given opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the created world laid out in such profusion and grandeur before our eyes. We need to listen to the wealth of knowledge, beauty, and experience available to our ears.

Rather than taking sight and hearing for granted, these sensory faculties and what they provide for us should take on even greater significance when seen as gifts from G.o.d. We are as accustomed to seeing and hearing as we are to breathing and to the operation of the cardiovascular system. So we pay no attention to any of thema"until something goes wrong, of course. But to embark on a day with eyes literally wide open and ears p.r.i.c.ked so as not to miss a sight or a sound is to live at a higher level. Doing so from time to time will enrich the life, because G.o.d planned for it to be so enriched. At the end of the day, to reflect on what you have heard and seen and to give thanks to the Giver of gifts who made it possible is to live with a sharpened sense of enjoyment and a richer sense of worship.

Not everything you hear is profitable, aso donat hang around with someone who talks too mucha (20:19), and ahaughty eyesa along with other things aare all sina (21:4). Remember the three monkeys? aHear no evil, see no evil, say no evil!a They got it right.

March 7

TO READ: Proverbs 21:17-31