Philippians: 100 {Conclusion} Let's Run

A month. A march. A mental marathon. 

There’s more to see, more to learn. Running to a fro in the Bible, digging deeper into it’s pages, reveals yet more hills to climb, and even greater wealth to gain.

Little use in running for a season, only to abandon the sneakers to some dark neglected closet corner. Everyday, the path is there. But choice alone brings shoe to sidewalk. 

The month may be done, but the march and the running have barely begun. 

There’s more hills of understanding to climb. 

There are more passages to dig into. 

Let’s do it..together. 

Philippians:130 Transformation

“Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.” Philippians 1:30

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •

As extraordinary as he was, he lived on this planet. 

The apostle had no greater access to grace. Nor had he greater wars to fight than we.

Same war. Same conflict.

Same grace. Same victory.

Only because He’s the same Savior.

Paul fought a good fight.

He finished his course.

He followed the light-

Which brings no remorse

He looked unto Christ,

The Author, the End,

Whose grace had sufficed

To always attend.

How daring and bold!

How valiant his heart!

But scripture has told

Of a different start.

For Paul had been Saul,

A leader for wrong.

And yet came the call,

"With Me you belong."

So if you, like me

Are not yet a Paul,

By faith look and see

What God did to Saul.

Through conflict and grief,

Through trial and test,

God granted belief

Where there'd been unrest.

Our Savior is true.

His grace is the same.

For Paul, me and you

Our Lord overcame!

And so we may walk

In newness of heart,

Secure in the Rock

No more to depart.

Though through desert storm,

And darkest of days,

God's grace can transform

In marvelous ways!

Philippians:129 Gifts

“For unto you it is given on the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29

It’s not on our wish list.  

But contrary to human thought, it holds the highest of honors. 

Enoch and Elijah, who both tasted eternity without seeing death, did not somehow receive a better gift at the hand of God than did John the Baptist. 

Fellowship with Christ in His sufferings means fellowship also in His consolation. 

...and in the world to come, eternal life. 

Of all the gifts that heaven grants

To humans on this earth,

The highest honor God implants—

The weightiest of worth,

Is fellowship with Jesus Christ

To share His suffering,

To taste of what He sacrificed

Yet trust mid anything!

Philippians: 126 Radiation

“That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.” Philippians 1:26

How can a human being

Impart abundant joy?

Especially while facing

Such trials that annoy?

How can one be so noble

As not to whine and sigh,

While fettered and immobile,

And likely soon to die?

True joy is not created

By those who dwell on earth

But yet it’s radiated

From those of second birth.

It’s only in receiving

That humans can impart,

The joy of faith’s believing

Into another’s heart. 

Philippians: 125 Purpose

“And having this confidence, I know I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith;” Philippians 1:25

Life is a trust too holy for selfish use. 

There's a reason to get up in the morning.

Heaven gives that purpose.

And lives that purpose.

•   •   •   •   •   •   •

And lives that purpose.

There’s a purpose to be living;

There’s a challenge to fulfill;

And it always takes relinquishing

Our own deceitful will.

For we live to serve our Savior-

As His very hands and feet.

So that in all of our behavior

Heaven’s joy might be replete.

And yet this purpose practically,

Is high and deep, it’s true.

For in serving Jesus faithfully,

We’ll serve our brother too.

Philippians: 121 Life

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In attending a creation conference, I see this verse with the spectacles of genesis.

Life in creation and salvation have the same origin. 

Christ is life.

        Life is Christ.

             In Him, death is nothing less than gain. 

If something can’t come from nothing,

Nor matter be born with years;

If life cannot come into being

When never before it appears;

If eggs cannot come back together

When poured into saline test bowls;

I tell you my friend, altogether

The One who made us, made our souls.

You see, life cannot come to a desert

Except by the unnatural rain.

Nor dead things to living revert

When they do not have life to regain.

To live as a christian is higher

Than our highest thinking can go.

It’s change too profound and entire

For it to take ions to grow.

My friend, when we know our Creator

As Him who is living and gain,

We’ll know Him the more as Redeemer

Who grants life from His own dying vein.

This miracle will not take ages

To form a new creature in Christ.

You see, God has paid for sin’s wages,

And Jesus shed blood has sufficed.

This power of God for creation

Is redemptive as well at its core.

For one would dispense with salvation

In banishing what came before.

And how can we know where we’re going

If God cannot create today,

A heart in whom Jesus is living-

When life is His own word away?

Philippians: 120 Hope

“According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.” Philippians 1:20

With faith in what God’s doing,

And peace with what He’s done,

We can have this expectation-

That He’ll finish what’s begun.

Surrender is essential

For Christ to work His will,

But in yielding all to heaven,

Heaven can our hope fulfill.

What greater aspiration

Than this can there be found?

That Christ in me be magnified

And praise to God resound.

If this remains our longing,

Our aim, and confidence,

Then Christ and God that cannot lie,

Our hope will recompense.

So you see, the Savior’s working

Is both to will and do.

And when our hope is set on Him

It surely will come true. 

Philippians: 119 Cooperation

“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19

“This shall turn to my salvation” -

It will come to bear good fruit.

It will work a reformation

In the branches of the Root.

But notice though, the means by which

Our crucibles have blessing

It’s “through your prayer” that there’s a switch,

And through the Spirit’s giving.

We see cooperation here:

That man is linked with Christ.

And then salvations’s gift draws near,

For self is sacrificed. 

Philippians: 118 Rejoice

“What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretense, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1:18

Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice—

With heart and soul and voice!

For God will triumph in the end,

Therein should we rejoice.

Rejoice when times are tough.

For Jesus is enough,

To ease the sting of scorn and slight,

And soften each rebuff.

Rejoice when what we see,

So dark appears to be,

For God can work it out for good,

And that’s a guarantee!

Philippians: 117 Love

“But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel.” Philippians 1:17

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   

Some were moved to action from envy and strife. Some from love. 

What moves you and me?

What is our motivation?

What holds our dedication?

What ties our heart strings fast to God,

And draws us to salvation?

What forms the fiber of our souls?

And lays the start to plans and goals?

What is the earth from which we grow,

As grew the frogs from small tadpoles?

Is selfishness the root and start

That fills our mind and soul and heart?

Or could it be a purer spring

From which our character takes part?

The highest, purest, deepest well

From which our actions ought to swell,

So simple, yet profound and broad:

'Tis love alone that must compel.

Philippians: 116 Sufficient

“The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:” Philippians 1:16

There were people in Paul’s world

Who didn’t know the gospel,

Who, yet it’s gonfalon unfurled

To burden the apostle.

These worked from strife and envy

To cause another grief,

But Paul of Tarsus knew the key

To find happy relief.

He dwelt amid thanksgiving.

He looked beyond that day.

He thought on Christ’s own suffering

For what he couldn’t pay.

And so, let’s learn the lesson

Of patience, as did Paul.

For Christ has drunk for everyone

The cup of woe and gall.

We need not dwell in shadows

When Jesus shines with light,

And from Him peace and gladness flows,

Sufficient for the night.

Philippians: 115 Preach

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will.” Philippians 1:15

There is preaching in the pulpit,

There's a sermon in the street,

There is teaching when you stand or sit—

Wherever go your feet.

Every person is a discourse,

For the values that they hold.

Each decision acts to reinforce

The sermon that is told.

So be careful of your actions

That will preach goodwill or strife,

For beneath those interactions

Will be speaking death or life.

Philippians: 114 Zeal

“And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:14

It’s not a question of cost. The spark of zeal, burning in one soul candle, can light the wicks of many.

Because...

There’s something to live for, and Someone to die for.

There’s a mission to give for, and heaven to strive for.

The highest of goals— the saving of souls

And the glory of God is what we’re alive for.

My friends, take this vision, the gospel commission,

And mark with decision your highest ambition

That souls will be saved and God will be praised,

For life or for death, let this be your mission. 

Philippians: 113 Freedom

“So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” Philippians 3:13

The world was bound in chains of sin,

With no hope of release.

All earth was darkness, and within

There was no trace of peace.

Then to our rescue came God’s Son,

Though bound Himself with chains.

And yet He freed us, every one,

With mercy that constrains.

For Christ was bound with higher bands—

The bands of freest love,

Yet chose to let them bind His hands,

Which proves He rules above.

And we may know this freedom rare,

That true submission holds.

For through Christ’s bondage we may share

The freedom love unfolds.

Philippians: 112 Appointment

“But I would that ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Philippians 1:12

All things. 

No, not all things are good, but God works all things for good, to them that love Him. 

Seeing as God sees, Paul saw appointment in disappointment. Victory in apparent defeat. Sunshine beside the shadows.

This lesson is for us.

•   •   •   •   •   •  

At times we will not understand

What happens here and now,

But when we reach that happy land

God makes it plain somehow.

Oh, we’ll see each disappointment,

Each trial, and each test,

So transformed for God’s appointment,

That we can call it blessed.

We have need for heaven’s vision

To see by faith today,

And to claim God’s rich provision

Of grace to trust His way.

For the trials haven’t ended,

The tests are sure to come,

But our God for us has blended,

His grace with every one.

Philippians: 111 Full

“Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:11

I’ve been an empty pitcher,

All drained and dusty too,

For trying to get fuller,

Has only cracked me too.

A cracked and broken vessel—

What good thing can it do?

But God has something special,

In mind for me and you.

God made us to have fulness,

Up to the very brim.

He wants to right our chaos,

And fill us up with Him.

But He can’t pour His treasure

Where something else resides.

For vain and empty pleasure

Will fill, and crack the sides.

Then idol after idol,

Surrender them to Christ.

And this, alone is possible,

Through what He sacrificed.

And as we yield those prizes,

He’ll mend our shattered cup,

And give us sweet surprises,

For He will fill us up.

Philippians: 110 More

“That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.” Philippians 1:10

More and more and more of love,

Produces goodly fruit.

It overflows the branches of

What groweth from the Root.

It blossoms in sincerity,

In being true and pure.

And this is Christ-like purity,

Not earthly to be sure.

It does not leaf out in offense,

To lead a soul in sin.

Nor to be led to sin commence,

For Christ was clean within.

It gives discernment to all those

Who have its precious store,

To see a piece of what God knows,
His love yields so much more.

Philippians: 109 Abundance

“And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement.” Philippians 1:9

O when the Savior I behold,

How beautiful is He!

The smallest part cannot be told

Of what mere man can see.

And all eternity we’ll spend

Unfolding Heaven’s grace:

How Jesus came to be our Friend,

And how we see His face.

But as we learn more of the Lord,

We’ll see there’s more and more.

For Jesus’ love cannot be stored

All folded in a drawer.

It’s bounds are far beyond all time,

It’s end cannot be found.

Agape love—so rare, sublime,

Yet in us to resound.

We ourselves can’t make this love,

But as we share, we’ll gain

More and more abundance of

The love in Heaven’s vein.

Philippians: 108 Defendant

“For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8

Record - Strongs 3144 - a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively...); by analogy, a "martyr":-- martyr, record, witness.

God knows you my friend,

The longings you carry.

His own He’ll defend

From His calm sanctuary.

He saw faithful Job

Who was tested and tried.

That one on the globe

Who with Him was allied.

God sees and knows all

When others do not,

Or when heaven’s call

Is past our own thought.

Yes. He is our judge,

Our witness, defendant,

Who will not begrudge

Help to one dependent.

Philippians: 107 Partake

“Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.” Philippians 1:7

What is in your heart tonight?

What holds its presence there?

Is it things that pass away,

Though costly, precious, rare?

Some things quickly pass away-

Some in trial leave,

But assured are heaven’s goods

To all who will believe.

What is in your heart tonight?

Salvation’s precious gold?

Do you hunger after souls

With longing heart untold?

Some things are forevermore,

Because they’re born of love.

Salvation’s joy and happiness

Continue up above.

What is in your heart tonight?

Is the Savior there?

Is He precious more than all- 

Above, beyond compare?

Some things go beyond all time-

At this, time ends and starts:

With Paul partaking of the gift

Of grace which God imparts.

Philippians: 106 Faithfulness

“Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6

At times things tend to tumble,

And life may seem to crumble,

But this my song, my confidence—

Yes, though indeed I stumble,

Still God in us is molding,

His character enfolding,

In fragile human packages—

No good thing He withholding.

This carving by our Master—

At some times slow, or faster,

Still constant, faithful is His work

In human-hearted plaster.

He will not leave unfinished

What others have diminished,

For God is faithful to complete

His work till He is finished. 

Philippians: 105 Fellowship

“For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” Philippians 1:5

There’s a friendship that goes deeper

Than just, Hi...I know your name.

It’s where brother is a keeper 

To the ones who some don’t claim.

It’s a friendship born in heaven,

It’s a service drenched in love.

It’s forgiveness more than seven—

Times the heart of God above.

It’s a fellowship of oneness,

With a burden for the lost.

It is fashioned with the impress

Of the one who paid the cost.

It’s where hearts are set on fire

And burn brighter day by day,

With the flame of God’s desire

Melting dissonance away. 

Philippians: 104 Intercession

“Always, in every prayer of mine for you all, making request with joy.” Philippians 1:4

Prayer reaches a power that all the forces of hell cannot dismay. In the closet of the christian victories can be won. The work of intercession- intervening in the plight of a sister or brother, sets aglow more than their soul. It sets aglow your own. 

The spirit that says, Give me souls, or I die, is a gift from God, it’s burden a blessing of the highest kind. 

Friends, let us pray for our fellow soldiers in the faith. 

And tell them that we do.

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 

When difficulties press and pound

The soldiers of the cross,

Let prayer to God for them abound, 

That there would be no loss.

When feet are sore, and hearts are tried

Around you on the road,

In earnest prayer press to their side,

To aid them with their load.

And when you intercede for those

Who labor under strain,

And of this fact to them disclose - 

It’s sunbeams in the rain!

Philippians: 103 Remember

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3. 

The Philippians? Really? Maybe some of those memories, but every remembrance?

Philippi was the home of Lydia, whose heart the Lord opened. - Acts 16:14. Certainly the memory of kindred souls in the faith could have made Paul to thank God.

Of course, remembering the damsel that was freed from the spirit of divination surely brought rejoicing to the apostle. But this very joy could have been overshadowed, or even obliterated completely by black recollections. Missionary work is not for the fainthearted. It was in Philippi that Paul and Silas were beaten, imprisoned, and tortured like anybody’s worst nightmare. And yet, the apostle thanked God.

Was it the dawn of new life in Christ that eclipsed the darkness? Was it the eye of faith, seeing triumph in apparent tragedy? Was is that souls were reached, who could not have been in another way?

Did every memory of the Philippians remind Paul that God can overrule circumstances? That something so bad could actually result in good— devoted, stedfast, and whole-hearted believers? Did the thought of their faithfulness strengthen him to trust in trial the character of his Creator? 

We likely face nothing akin to what Paul and Silas did, but from the planet we call home, let us give thanks. Let us remember that the character of God has not changed. He can still bring beauty out of ashes, and gold from the fire. 

Let us remember, and let us give thanks. 

Philippians: 102 Rest

“Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2. 

Context: Who is "you"? Verse one tells us, “all the saints in (in = relation of rest) (with) Christ Jesus which are at (interestingly, at also = relation of rest) Philippi, with the bishops and deacons.” 

This was no external rest. Humanity, Philippian or not, hunger for a rest that reaches the deepest turmoil. It is a rest in the soul that the sons and daughters of Adam lack. This rest, the Philippians found in God. Thus, they obtained rest also in their relation to life: at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons. This rest, this quietness is not an earthly commodity. It is a rest that is possible even amid earthly unrest. It is experienced only through connection with Heaven. And such a link is our only access to grace and peace. Calvary’s cross is that link. It bridges the impassable gulf between the soul and salvation. Apart from Christ, peace is as illusive as a shadow. “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” - Isaiah 30:15. 

Psalm 85:12 says, Yea, the Lord will give that which is good. And this He gives. Grace with power of change. Peace though submission to Christ. Rest that reaches the heart.