Philippians 2:1-11

The questions for this reading were: Why do you do the things that you do? What does the word servant mean to you? Are you encouraged by other believers? who are they? what do they do?

Why do we do the things that we do? Wow is that a tuff question. Yet almost seems fitting considering the conversation that I had with a friend not more than 10 min. ago. I am in a situation with another, I have been unsure in how to handle it due to the circumstances. Tonight, I finally decided to break down, call a friend and tell someone about this situation. (sorry for being vague, but it does involve other people that probably do not want to be mentioned). After discussing the situation with him we started a dialogue about what options I had and what I should do. What was decided was I was once again trying to take the wheel and drive my own life and in turn trying to drive the other person’s life. Reflecting on that, I had a question of were all of the things that I have been doing for that person for myself? Was I doing the things that I was because I wanted to gain an advantage over that person so that I may be able to gain something? I hope not but now I can see that it is a possibility.

Now sitting down here to do this small study I had that first question. Then I look at the Bible and it says “do not only look for your interests but also to the interests of others.” Was I looking out for their interest or only mine own? Do I have the attitude of Jesus? What is that attitude? Servant is a word they use to describe Jesus. The word servant in the original Greek meaning was doulos, the word meant

1) a slave, bondman, man of servile condition

a) a slave

b) metaph., one who gives himself up to another's will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men

c) devoted to another to the disregard of one's own interests

Did I have these attributes no? Yet I say, well I did A, B, and C for them, does that not count. Well from what we read here, it does not in that relationship that I had with my friend. Why, because my attitude was not right.

How do we gain this attitude? Simply, we must interact with people that encourage us. If one is around people that encourages one's self then that one tends to be in a better mood. When one is in a better mood he is more incline to do acts of good will. Not out of one's own interests because his interests have been meet prior because of the encouragement from people around. Yet what are the encouraging acts that a person does, rooted in? The acts of encouragement are rooted in the receiving parties own best interest, typically the acts of encouragement are unknown to the one that is giving the encouragement, that is why they are in the best interest of the receiving party. I am encouraged through my faith by many people. Not going to name names. I am encouraged by a O. king for his passionate heart for the wellbeing of the people that he cares about. I am encouraged by another O. king for his wisdom that he imparts on me if I want it or not. I am encouraged by this sister for her willingness to open up and be honest for prayers. Also many more people for many more reasons. All of these are not done for their good but for the good of the people that they interact with every day. Their actions rooted in my interest and not their own. I know this because I am encouraged in my faith. I see a glimpse of a servant’s heart in their eyes and realize that the more I am able surround myself with these types of activities then the more I will be able to do acts of service and encouragement myself. I will then in turn do activities that are in the best interest of the people that I interact with.

Philippians 1:12-30

The questions for this reading are: What actions do you have that are routine for you that is an encouragement to others? How do you deal with pain and negative situations that go on in your life? What type of conduct is worthy of the gospel?

Paul in writing this letter was under house arrest for him preaching the Gospel. Although, looking at this if it were me in his situation I would be bitter, hard hearted, and cynical for being in that circumstance. Yet by the tone of his words he seems to be excited; how can this be? For Paul it is simple. Christ is being show through him by his suffering, and because of this others are being encouraged by this and are now beginning to become more courageous in sharing the faith. Strength breads strength.

I was once told a story about General George S. Patton (at least I think that was the general of the story) but during the Invasion of Italy in World War 2 a solder was walking towards the front lines when a jeep with General Patton started to pass him by. The soldier called out the General "Where are you going?" The General while still driving at a decent speed past the soldier yelled back "To the front lines." At that point that soldier started to run to the front lines along with all of the ones around. Why General Patton was so successful was because he was courageous and that feed the rest of the men.

What is encouraging for me is when others stand up for their faith. This does not have to be something to the point where Paul was but can be something when challenged by another person you just stand firm and hold on to your faith. The best part of that is when that starts to feed off of each other when one person takes a stand then that makes it easier for others and when it is easier for others then all will grow.

What do you do in negative situations? I know what I do and that is not what is in line with my faith. I am guilty of becoming hard hearted, on fire with anger, and cold to affection. Yet what can we see is the right course of action through what Paul is going through, Prayer, hope and courage. If you have not seen the power of what prayer can do then pray for God to show you what power he has in this world and you will see that no situation is so bad that he cannot give you what you need also letting others know will increase the chances of the prayers coming true. Paul has a unique outlook on his life that has made him look at situations differently than most people. He says to live is Christ and to die is gain. He expects his life to be an encouragement for others. That he is alive so that he may be a leader of men to Christ. What do you expect from your life? What are your motives? Mine are no where close to that right now. My expectations for life have changed drastically over the past couple of months. They are now to the point I do not know what to expect out of life but I am looking for a new expectation one that will leave me fulfilled. You will not find that in money for you can always have more, or friends because there can always be a better one, or love because it is not what you thought it would be. I am not saying that these things are bad because they are not but what I am saying is that looking for them to fulfill you it will not happen. Only Christ will. For what Paul realized is that what he desires may not be what is best.

I pray that you may not be discouraged by this for that is not my motive for it is exactly the opposite. I ask those questions for you to think of what God wants for your life. I heard a sermon a couple of weeks ago that said when you find what God wanted you to do and you do it you will experience Joy. I am leaving because I think I might have found what God wants me to do therefore I am going. Some of you might have felt the same as I, looking for your purpose and not feeling like you are being used. I am here to tell you that you all have been an encouragement to me. One way or another each of you when I see you allows me to look at my motives of living and relines my motives to ones in which I may be conducting myself in a manner in line with the Gospel.

Yet I say that but what does that really mean? "Conducting myself in a manner in line with the Gospel" Paul says it in his letter but does not really explain it in the subsequent lines. Yet he does have a small explanation earlier I believe because he was a well educated man and would not put something in his letter with out explanation. In verses 9-11 of the first chapter I believe that he gives us a small glimpse of this conduct. Grow in love, discern what is best, and actions are pure and blameless. You all encourage me because when I see you it reminds me of what I need to do to make my actions bounded in love. Through this process if a community starts to remind each other of a conduct in line with Christ it will be able to be unified on another level. That ones will be encouraged to stand. You will suffer for believing in Christ and conducting yourself through love. But as a result you will grow and become solidified in your faith. For in verses 29-30 Paul is speaking of what James wrote in James 1 2-4.

Be encouraged for you all encourage me.