POURED OUT

May my life be poured out in service to the Lord,

in encouraging others to study God’s word.

May I invest time in people rather than things

in sharing the Savior who makes my heart sing.

“Even if [my lifeblood] must be poured out as a libation on the sacrificial offering of your faith [to God], still I am glad [to do it] and congratulate you all on [your share in] it: And you also in like manner be glad and congratulate me on [my share in] it.”

Philippians 2:17-18 (Amplified Version)

spĕndō⁴⁶⁸⁹ – to pour out as a libation, i.e. (fig.) to devote (one’s life or blood, as a sacrifice) (“spend”): - (be ready to) be offered.

thusia²³⁷⁸ – sacrifice, (the act or the victim, lit. or fig.): - sacrifice.

            “He poured himself into….” Complete the sentence. It is descriptive of giving one’s all in pursuit of a goal or a pleasure. How would you fill in that blank to describe yourself?

            The apostle Paul poured himself into bringing people closer to God. He was willing and ultimately did pour out his life’s blood to further the spread of the gospel. He continued to minister even while in prison, whether well provided for or barely surviving. He viewed himself as the drink offering poured over the burnt offering which was the faith of the Philippians. Moreover, he was glad to be pouring his life into the Philippians and the many other churches he had a part in establishing.

            Has someone poured his or her life into yours by leading you to know Jesus or by discipling you? The best way you can thank that person it to give of yourself to a brother or sister as well. The mantra of evangelism is “each one, reach one.”  In discipleship it is “each one, teach one.”  I was blessed to participate in a small discipleship group when I was in my twenties. As we would complete a Bible study booklet, our leaders would encourage us to find two people we could lead through that step in the program. Then he would take us to the next level. As we moved to level three, we were to teach level two to our two friends and encourage them each to find two friends to begin level one. My desire to memorize God’s word comes from that experience. I believe a solid foundation of Bible study was laid in my life through the pouring out of Keith and Kathy. The strong Bible study basics they entrusted to me helped me to lead many elementary students closer to Christ during my teaching career. The book you are reading is a result of their faithfulness to teach others what the Lord had taught them. I believe I honor their sacrifice each time I write and share that writing with other believers.

            Father, show me how to wisely invest my life in others. Help me to use the gifts you have bestowed upon me to lead people into a right relationship with Christ and then to help them grow in you. Help me to honor the sacrifice that others have made to bring me to where I am spiritually by helping others to “know You and make You known”.

FATHER SEES

This is the song yesterday's post referred to. I wrote it in about the year 2000 with some specific people in mind, but it applies to all those who serve quietly behind the scenes.  I was blessed to be able to share it with my Dad before he passed away. Sometimes I still cry when I sing it.

Father Sees

By Karen Sue Hale

For George S., Susan M., Daddy and everyone with a servant’s heart

You’re not the kind of person 
to stand in front of a crowd.

You may never preach a sermon, 
and you barely sing out loud.

Your service for the Lord is often 
behind the sense;

And though you’re always 
hard at work,

People seldom see those things.

But Father sees…and Father knows…

Though your work seems unrewarded,

Your heavenly treasure grow.

And someday soon the Lord you’ll meet,

And you’ll have the joy of laying crowns

At our precious Savior’s feet.

Father Sees.

You always make the coffee 
after opening the doors,

And joyfully you carry out 
so many mundane chores.

The most important work you do
is seldom ever seen…

When you do battle for us 
in prayer upon your knees.

Chorus

You help prepare the dinner 
while on the stage I sing.

While I enjoy the crowd’s applause, 
you clean up everything.

But the thing that others never see, 
happening several times a week

Is the way that you encourage me 
as the will of God I seek.

Chorus

I remember as a little girl 
I’d stand upon your feet,

And then we’d walk together. 
Oh, Dad, those times were sweet.

As a teen I helped you 
as you kept the churchyard clean,

Lovely grounds and buildings evidence 
of a work that seemed unseen.

But Father sees…and Father knows…

Though your work seems unrewarded,

Your heavenly treasure grow.

And someday soon the Lord you’ll meet,

And you’ll have the joy of laying crowns

At our precious Savior’s feet.

Father Sees.

SHINE LIKE THE STARS

Without complaining, may I do all God asks.

May I cease from arguing and complete each task.

As I humbly serve, may the Lord’s work endure

As he changes my heart to make me blameless and pure.

May his spirit so fill me that I shine like a star

And draw others to him from near and afar.

May I hold out his life-giving word to the world

And share Christ with man, woman, boy, and girl.

“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…”

Philippians 2:14-16a (NIV)

akĕraiŏs¹⁸⁵ – unmixed, i.e. (fig.) innocent: - harmless, simple.

phōstēr⁵⁴⁵⁸ – an illuminator. i.e. (concr.) a luminary, or (abstr.) brilliancy: - light.

            I am blessed to know a handful of people who seem to do everything without complaining or arguing. They delight to do the unseen, unrewarded, behind-the-scenes tasks at church. They usually aren’t found on the platform on Sunday, but they may be found repairing it or affixing extensions to it for the big production at Christmas or Easter. They may not teach a Sunday School class, but they make sure the chairs are in order and there’s plenty of cream and sugar for the coffee.

            These are not the people lauded as extremely “spiritual” by others; but without them, those in the public eye might crumble. I have found these friends to be pure and simple in the sense of leading uncomplicated lives. Their smiles have brightened my cloudy days as the stars illuminate the sky. Their willingness to do whatever God places in their path illustrates the word of God to everyone who comes in touch with them. They “preach” volumes without ever speaking publicly.

            In the workplace this person stands out as the one who tackles an extra task without trying to talk his way out of it or complaining about it all day long. He quietly continues working while his co-workers are spewing out everything that is wrong with the company, the boss, or other employees. He is careful to choose words that bless rather than curse; and if he does have a concern, he takes it with respect to the proper authority. This is a rare person, and he shines like a brilliant star. He has an excellent opportunity to witness to others as they note his “strange” behavior.

            The song on the next page is dedicated to three such people, but I believe most of us have these type of people in our lives. We are blessed to know them, and I firmly believe the Lord will say to them, “Well, done, my good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

            Father, help me to complain less and serve more. Help me to stand out in a crowd as one of your lights. As the old song says, “Let others see Jesus in me.”

WORK OUT WHAT GOD WORKS IN

Though saved by grace,

   we run the race

        out of gratitude

           and in servitude

               to him who died

                   and was crucified,

                       who arose and lives

                           this grace to give.

“…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:12b-13 (NIV)

katĕrgazŏmai²⁷¹⁶ – to work fully, i.e. accomplish; by impl. to finish, fashion: -cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).

ĕnĕrgĕō¹⁷⁵⁴ – to be active, efficient: - do, (be) effectual (fervernt), be mighty in, shew forth self, work (effectually in).

            “Whoa! Wait a minute! I thought my salvation was secured by Christ’s atonement for me on the cross. What is this ‘work it out’ stuff?”

            That’s where my mind went the first time I was introduced to this verse. I’ve also heard people try to interpret this that we somehow have to earn our salvation. FALSE! Look at the meaning of the two words for work. The first one, our part, is to keep on performing what God has called us to do. We are to finish the race, accomplish the task, give our all to serve the Lord. We are to behave daily according to what the Lord has revealed in his Word.

            But take note of the second word for work, God’s part. He is going to energize us for the tasks he asks us to accomplish. He will actively work in our lives. He will infuse us with the power we need to do his will. He will show forth himself in our lives that others may see his glory in the way we work out our salvation.

            What is getting me to heaven? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What enables me to live like I’m going to heaven?  The Lord being mighty in my life. I am to work out my salvation through the power of Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I can only perform as a Christian if I have already responded to God’s saving grace. I exhibit outwardly that which Jesus has already done inwardly.

            Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” The snares in my path, the work involved in living for Jesus, are nothing compared to the Holy Spirit he has placed within us.

Lord, help me to remember I can work out my salvation because you work in me. Empower me to run the race in a way that honors and pleases you.

EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW

Before Christ may I bow

And submit to his will.

May I take time each day

To be quiet and still

And to know he is God

And Lord over all.

May I rise from my prayer

to obey the Lord’s call.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 (NIV)

hupĕrupsŏō⁵²⁵¹ – to elevate above others, i.e. raise to the highest position: - highly exalt.

kuriŏs²⁹⁶² – supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by impl. Mr. (as a respectful title): - God, Lord, master, Sir.

            After Christ had completely humbled himself and become obedient to the Father by substituting his life for ours on the cross, he was returned to the highest place at the right hand of God.  Someday every creature will have to acknowledge that Jesus is the supreme authority, the Lord. 

We have the opportunity to do that now and humbly obey him by living lives of service here on earth. Our Christ-like humility will be rewarded. I remember singing this verse as a young person – “Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). I later learned that the opposite is also true; for Jesus said, “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted,” (Matthew 23:12).

Humility is not bad-mouthing yourself or downplaying accomplishments. It is giving God the glory for the abilities and opportunities He as given you. It is obedience to do the tasks the Lord has called you to do whether you receive any praise from your fellow men or not. Humbling yourself is saying “yes” to God no matter what He asks of you. It is acknowledging Jesus as Lord with your actions as well as your words.

 Bowing the knee can be the position of the knight before his King, or the conquered before his foe. I prefer to be the first. If I choose to serve Jesus now, I bow to his command and become more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37). If one does not acknowledge Jesus as Lord now, he or she will be the defeated one forced to bow before the Conqueror when Christ returns to judge the world.

Father, I thank you for the opportunity to know you and to serve you now. Thank you for the Spirit’s call to me and giving me the faith to believe. I pray for those loved ones who have not yet bowed to you that you would draw them through your Holy Spirit. Lord, show me how to tell others about the importance of surrendering to you.

LIVING IN HUMILITY

Humility, servitude, obedience…

Lord, you epitomize all three.

I’m instructed to have the mind of Christ.

Lord, develop these attitudes in me.

“Who, being in very nature God,

did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,

being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man,

 he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

Philippians 2:6-8

tapĕinŏō⁵⁰¹³ – to depress; fig, to humiliate (in condition or heart): abase, bring low, humble (self).

            Jesus was a part of the Trinity, the God-head, equal with God the Father. Yet he was willing to bring himself down to our level and become a man. The incarnation of the Son of God has been fascinating to me for many years. The fact that our Lord would confine himself to the body of an infant and suffer all the trials of growing up obedient to parents he had created amazes me each time I think of it.

            When I was only in first or second grade I was drawn to one particular song on a favorite Christmas album. Perhaps it was because it was in a foreign language or because the baritone’s voice was exceptional, but I would listen to it over and over even though I had no idea what it meant. A couple of years ago I looked up the translation of the lyrics by using the Latin dictionary at http://lysy2.archives.nd.edu/cgi-bin/WORDS.EXE.

Panis angelicus fit panis hominum,             Bread of angels became bread of man

Dat panis coelicus figures terminum,           Give Bread of heaven limited form.

O res mirabilis manducat Dominum,            Oh, astonishing fact! Devour the Lord.

Pauper, pauper, servus et humilis.              Poor man, servant and humble.

Or as Michael Card so aptly put it, “Manna became Man.” Christ took on limited form so I might come to know him and have salvation. With the humility that Christ demonstrated in his incarnation in mind, how then shall I live?

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:25-28

            Father, help me to lay aside my idea of what my life should be and follow wherever you lead. As a supervisor at work, let me remember to serve my employees as well as my boss. When called upon to lead in your work, help me to remember it is a call to be a servant. 

SERVICE

SERVICE

Karen Sue Hale

September 3, 1987

Service…

This one word sums up

Christ’s ministry on earth

beginning with His birth.

He came

in humblest of forms

as a tiny babe, not a man,

to best serve the Father’s plan.

He obeyed

His earthly parents’ rules,

and yet He was aware

of the Heavenly Father’s care.

He worked

in Joseph’s carpenter shop

laboring with His hands

to meet customers’ demands.

He preached

great sermons throughout the land,

yet healed the sick and lame

and served others wherever He came.

He died

to pay for all my sin,

as my substitute to serve,

suffered what I deserved.

He rose

in victory from the grave,

and He serves today too

interceding for me and you.

Service…

to follow Christ I must serve;

meet others’ needs as I can

while witnessing to God’s plan.

Jesus

should be first in my life;

I must serve Him above all else

then serve others before myself.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”

Philippians 2:5

            Father, seeing my granddaughter, only a few days old, helped me to realize anew exactly how much Jesus humbled Himself to become a helpless infant. Help me to be humble, obedient, and of service to you. As the psalmist prayed, “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths.” Lord, help me to have the wisdom to walk in them.

NOT LOOKING OUT FOR NUMBER ONE

Lord, help me see beyond my needs

and for the needs of others intercede.

Let me see myself as saved by grace,

unworthy to even enter the race,

but because of Christ given power to run.

As I press on let me show your love to each one.

Make my sole ambition to walk with you,

to see each day with hope renewed.

May your Spirit within me reach out to others,

to the lost as well as my sisters and brothers.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Each of you should look not only to your own interests,

 but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4

hupĕrĕchō⁵²⁴² – to hold oneself above, i.e. (fig.) to excel; part. (as adj., nor neut. as noun) superior, superiority: - better, excellency, higher, pass, supreme.

            So much for the advice to “look out for number one.” The world’s way is “dog eat dog” and “every man for himself.”  But that is never the way of our Lord. Our main purpose is to live for him. Our main goals should be tied to serving God and, therefore, serving his people. Ambition is not bad. It’s just important to examine the driving force behind your plans. The Lord tells us to serve our earthly bosses wholeheartedly, so earning a higher level degree in the field God has called you to (teaching, engineering, science) can be an unselfish ambition.

            Not only are we to refrain from being “me first” in our thinking, but we are to actually think more highly of others than we do ourselves. “What about a healthy self-esteem,” you may ask. I believe we need to have a healthy Christ-esteem. In other words, in my own flesh and my own power, I’m basically lower than a worm. However, when the Holy Spirit comes to live in me, I have the ability to allow Christ to shine through me. It is not me that is worthy, but Christ who lives within me (Galatians 2:20). This will also enable me to see others as Christ sees them. They are either lost and in need of a Savior, which means I need to be a positive witness to them. Or they are saved and in need of a sister (or brother) to encourage them along the way. Either way, I must consider their needs as much or more than I consider my own. As I realize that everything I have is from God, I can live unselfishly sharing my time, energy, and means with others.

            Father, help me to live the once popular acronym J-O-Y: Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. Joy comes from obedience to you, and your word clearly teaches me to reach out to others in your name. Strengthen me to serve you by serving others. 

ONE SPIRIT

Lord, through your Spirit, make us one,

united with you and with your Son.

Help us love each other as you love,

with tenderness and compassion from above.

“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

kŏinōnia²⁸⁴² – from 2844; partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction: - (to) communicate (-ation), communion, contribution, distribution, fellowship.

agapē²⁶ – from 25; love, i.e. affection or benevolence; spec. (plur.) a love-feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

sumpsuchŏs⁴⁸⁶¹ – from 4862 and 5590; co-spirited, i.e. similar in sentiment: - like-minded.

            Paul’s desire was that the Philippians would be unified in love and purpose. This echoes Christ’s desire as he prayed for believers saying, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:21-23).

            We sing “We are one in the Spirit,” but do we practice it? God’s Spirit has the ability to unite us if we draw near to him. In order for us to be one in love, spirit, and purpose, we must each be in fellowship with the Spirit of God. Then the type of love that can come only from the divine influence in our lives (grace-charis⁵⁴⁸⁵) will enable us to be like-minded. We can only be one in spirit if we are each abiding in Christ (John 15). When we become more closely associated with Christ and become intimate with him, we also become closer to other Christians.

            Father, Christ prayed that we would be one with you and then with each other. That is my prayer. Help us to stand united in our faith and love through the power of your Holy Spirit. Let our love for each other be a witness to the world. Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven and love through the power of your grace. 

SOME FAVOR!

Lord, sometimes I fear

that persecution is near,

that you will not allow us

to continue in sin.

Lord, do what you must

to mature each of us.

Draw us closer to Jesus,

and complete us in Him.

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him,

but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had,

and now hear that I still have.”

Philippians 1:29-30

charizŏmai⁵⁴⁸³ – to grant as a favor, i.e. gratuitously, in kindness, pardon or rescue: - deliver, (frankly) forgive, (freely) give, grant.

paschō³⁹⁵⁸ – to experience a sensation or impression (usually painful): - feel, passion, suffer, vex.

            Some favor! That’s what I thought as I read this, especially in light of the full definition of the word translated “granted”. But then the Lord brought to mind James 1:2-4.

             Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many

             kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops

             perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be

             mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Paul had just finished telling the Philippians to have good conduct, stand firm, and fight for the faith together no matter what happened. He encouraged them not to be frightened by the opposition because they would be saved by God. Then he tells them they have been given the favor of suffering for Christ.

            The trials God allows in our lives can be faced with joy because we know he is maturing us to be like Christ (Romans 8:29), and the end result will be our glorification when he returns to take us to the place he has prepared for us (John 14:3). I know it is true in my life and have heard others testify that the greatest times of growing closer to God are the hard times.  I grew tremendously right after my husband left me. My pain and fear drove me back to church where I was nurtured and discipled by a fantastic group of singles. My years of longing for children and struggling to continue to trust God to give me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4) strengthened my relationship with him, especially as I had well-meaning people tell me I just needed to accept the fact that I would always be single and childless. Ministering to my father during his last days in the hospital brought me even closer to God.

            We have not faced the trial of persecution that Paul and his Philippian friends were all too familiar with, but I know people who have. It served to make them stronger in faith.  Beatings, imprisonment, and even being exiled from his homeland made one Romanian friend more resolved to share Christ than ever. My Ukranian friend and her family continued to proclaim Christ after he father was imprisoned. The persecuted church abroad has a great sense of what is truly important. It is difficult to learn those lessons in a land of plenty.

            Lord, I pray for a great awakening in America; but I feel it may only come after a time of persecution. Lord, strengthen your children for the trials you allow, and help us to face them with joy.