More "Slices" to Nourish You

I think everyone who reads the Bible finds they have favorite books to which they return often. One of mine is Paul's letter to the Philippians. What follows are some selections for you to meditate on, and some comments.

Several years ago, our-then Bible study leader decided to teach from this book. I remember he camped on this verse for some time: Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel {Phil. 1:27} Every time I have read this since, I have been struck by the phrase "manner of life" and how other passages in this same letter can be seen to reflect on my "manner of life." For example: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others {Phil. 2:3-4} verses which speak for themselves.

Later in that letter, Paul addresses an issue common to most of us: anxiety. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things {Phil. 4:5b-8} So if you struggle with anxiety, here is God's own "cure": recognize His presence, appeal to Him regarding whatever concerns you [prayer, supplication, thanksgiving], and anticipate His peace will guard your heart and your mind Then use this grid through which to test your thoughts: is it true? is it honorable? is it just? is it pure? is it lovely? is it commendable? is it excellent? is it praiseworthy?

Christmas
If you want my Christmas poetry, click on the archives for either December 2007 or December 2006. If you want to read our review of 2008, read on.
We served as poll workers for three elections: two primaries and one general.
We took two road trips: the longer of the two to the Midwest, June-July, to visit family; the shorter in September to Calif. central coast to celebrate Elizabeth's birthday.
We kept the same address,
Continued participating in the same church,
And in the same Bible study.
We mourned with those (many more than usual) who lost loved ones; we rejoiced with those who welcomed children.
Garry has the same employer (Grace to You); Elizabeth has the same commitments to ministry.
While we saw many changes around us, we rejoice all the more in this: Jesus Christ is the same--Yesterday, Today, Forever.
May you know Him this holiday season:
The sovereignty,
The stability,
The Savior.
The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (The Gospel of John 1:14, New International Version of the New Testament).

Four "Slices"
A few weeks ago I signed on at Challies.com to undertake Scripture memorization with new verses every week. There are two options: shorter or longer passages. I've gone with the shorter ones. The first passage assigned was 2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture was breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
My women's Bible study is going to undertake Ezra and then Nehemiah next year. I am looking forward to seeing how those books profit me in any or all of those ways. I already feel an affinity for Ezra, a model for any would-be teacher: For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statues and rules in Israel (Ezra 7:10).
The second week we were assigned Philippians 2:3: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. We have to check our motives before we say "yes" or "no" to any undertaking, then, particularly if conceit or rivalry potentially enters the equation.
In line with the subject of humility (or so I saw it) week three was 1 Peter 5:5: Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. It caught my attention that Peter commands, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that whether one is one of the younger or one of the elders, humility must not merely mark but clothe them. Why? Because God is in opposition to the proud but gives grace to the humble. And who among us does not need that grace?
This week we are to memorize Luke 2:11: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. The angel announced this wonder--unto you--not to the powerful but to the powerless. And what was the response of the shepherds? "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.... And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them (Luke 2:15a-18,20).
How will you respond to this ageless news?

Trimming Trees
It is the time of year we see trees trimmed with various forms of ornamentation. This warms the heart, usually. Where I live, however, trees are being trimmed in that other common sense: branches being carefully removed. This pruning is necessary for a healthy tree.
It brings to mind John 15, where the Lord tells His disciples: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that bears fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (v.v. 1-2).
When the season of pruning arrives in your life, rejoice. The Father is preparing you for greater fruitfulness.

Thanksgiving Thoughts, Part Two
There are commands to give thanks which are sometimes hard to fulfill, such as Ephesians 5:20: Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
But these ought always come readily:
Romans 6:17: But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed.
1 Corinthians 15:57: But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory though our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 9:15: Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him
And the one I have to come back to pretty much every day:
Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.