Pearls of Wisdom from Philippians 4: I Can Scale Walls

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

We don’t need spinach like Popeye. We don’t need to sew a red “S” on our chest like Superman. We don’t need to practice martial arts or learn to be a sharpshooter.

If you are a Christian, you have the greatest strength available to man. You have the Son of God on your side. Christ will give you the strength you need.

I really like Psalm 18:28-36. The last part of verse 29 says, With my God I can scale a wall. Think about that ,Christian sisters. We are God’s women. He will help us scale the walls of life.

The country song says, I never promised you a rose garden. Well, God never promised His children a rose garden. In fact, if you read 1 Peter 4 you will find the apostle talking about suffering. He tells us that those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

We will have trials and tribulations. Count on it. To scale that wall of despair you must depend on the strength Christ provides.

What wall do you need to scale today? Are you in a troubled marriage? Do your bills keep piling up? Have you or your husband lost a job? Does someone in your family have health issues? Do you fear the terrorists?

Christ is the answer. He may not remove the problem, but will exercise His power when you are weak. Jesus said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Dear Father, What a comfort to know that our God can do anything. Teach us to rely on

                        Your Son for strength, comfort, and wisdom.

Janice Yandell                        

Pearls of Wisdom from Philippians 4: Garbage In -- Garbage Out

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

The Bible is the Christian’s roadmap. Philippians 4:8 is a yardstick for measuring what we think about.

Pearls of Wisdom from Philippians 4: Don't Worry --- Be Happy!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6,7

I do testify that God keeps His word. When He gave Paul this message in Philippians, He meant what He said. This verse works.

I loved Jesus from the time I first heard Bible stories in Mrs. Delaney’s four-year-old Sunday school class. I became a Christian when I was seven years old.

I realized that Christ was my only hope for salvation. I accepted Him as my Savior. From that time on I have depended on Him and tried to walk in His ways.

One of the first problems the Lord dealt with was my worry. I would make a mountain out of a molehill. I worried about grades, my looks, relationships with friends, and our family finances. Later on I worried about boys. I worried about each day and what it would bring.

I can’t tell you the specific time that I began to drop my worries, and I have to confess that I still worry at times. I can tell you that Christ took the problem and taught me to control it. I know that God is in control and He has given me so much help in His Word.

He gave me a defense mechanism for night worry. Isn’t this the main time we all worry? We wake up in the middle of the night, and all our anxieties build up until we think we will choke on them. Well, I just quote today’s verse. Sometimes I quote it more than once. Then I do what it says. I begin to thank God for my blessings.

Next I try to thank Him for my problems. I’m not always successful at this part. This is truly a thanksgiving you must develop with faith. It is hard. Try it. Start today and try to Thank God for your problems. Ask Him what lesson you can learn from your trial.

Ask God to help you work through your problems. Ask, believing. Remember that you are petitioning Almighty God who made the universe. With God all things are possible.

Dear Father, Thank You for Paul’s letter to the Philippians that gives us a weapon

                        against worry.

Janice Yandell                                    

Pearls of Wisdom from Philippians 4: A Gentle Spirit

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Philippians 4:5

This verse is talking about the way we judge others. The Greek word epieikeia which Paul uses is explained as justice. It is sometimes translated as patience or forbearance.

Some of us see most things in black or white. It is either right or wrong. There are rights and wrongs in God’s laws. However, Paul is admonishing the Philippians to look at the circumstances as they judge and deal with others. Romans 13:1 tells us to accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters.

I taught first grade. Many of my students came from low socio-economic backgrounds.

One day during my first year of teaching I noticed Ronnie standing up as he ate his lunch.

“Ronnie, sit in your chair.  I know you don’t stand up and eat at home.”

“Yes, Ma,am I do,” he replied. “We don’t have a chair for me to sit in.”

The lesson I learned that day was just one of many I learned from my six year olds.

I began to delve into their lives and try to understand why they behaved as they did.

Jesus was a gentle person. You didn’t hear him admonishing many people. If you notice, the group He scolded the most often was the religious leaders. He was a gentle person.

He was compassionate with the adulterous woman at the well, and invited himself to go home and eat with Zacchaeus, the little tax collector. He taught that it is wrong to judge and that we will be judged the same way we judge others. Sometimes we try to put people in molds. We judge others’ dress, actions, and morals. If we wish to win people to the Lord, we need to be gentle and look beyond the letter of the law. That doesn’t mean we condone sin, but that we love the sinner and want him/her to come to know the Lord.

Think about this gentle spirit the next time you see a bag lady or a vagrant, or observe someone doing something you think is wrong. Be like gentle Jesus.

Dear Father, Help us remember that Jesus is our example of gentleness. We need to

            emulate Him.

Janice Yandell

Pearls of Wisdom from Philippians 4: The Happy Christian

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4

Since Jerry and I are usually early to any event, I have developed the skill of people watching. God really has a sense of humor. You realize this as you observe people.

We are all so different. God’s designs include the tall, short (I love them because I am one), chubby, thin, gray haired, brown haired, dyed- haired (whoops, I think that is from us), big nosed, and finally, smiling and frowning faces.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians encourages them to rejoice in the Lord. He didn’t say, “When your bills are paid, when the children are well, when you have a wonderful, caring husband, or when you have a fulfilling career.” He said, “Always.”

People watching  has led me to the conclusion that people with the smiling faces are many times the ones with the most problems in their lives. On the other hand, many of the frowns are there because of poor attitudes and not poor circumstances. Some of the saddest people in the world have the most material wealth.

Frowning Christians are poor witnesses for Christ. They have forgotten that God is sufficient for the peace and joy they need.

We had the privilege of traveling in Ireland several years ago. We were impressed with the joyful attitude of the Irish. Ireland is a poor country and really never recovered from the potato famine around 1845. The fact that there is little affluence in the land doesn’t coincide with the attitudes of the people.

 Cab drivers, market vendors, people on the streets, and basically everyone we saw wore smiles. The Irish are basically happy people. I remarked to Jerry that I would like to transport some of those smiling Irish to Tyler. They might be out of place among some of the impatient and disgruntled drivers on south Broadway.

We don’t always have a say-so in the circumstances of our lives. We do have control over our attitudes. Putting on a smile and rejoicing is a choice. A wise character, Brer’ Rabbit, sang a song whose lyrics went something like this: Every body has a laughing place/ a laughing place/ a laughing place/ Take a frown/ turn it upside down/ and you’ll find yours I know ho ho.

Dear Father, We have every reason to rejoice. Because of Your Son we have been given

                        the gift of life. Help us show Jesus by wearing a smile each day.

Janice Yandell                        

Snatch

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

"Almost got it!" I heard my 9-year-old cousin exclaim as he reached toward the bird nest in the corner of my great grandmother's old barn. He teetered on top of a pile of old boxes and bricks as he stretched his arm as far as it would go.

Lessons from Vomit

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 

Luke 8:14

I've had the pleasure of spending the last day and a half with my niece, such a precious little princess. She's got some sort of coughy, sneezy, snotty virus - or, so I thought. This morning, when I hoisted her out of the bed to move her to the couch, we made a pit stop in the hallway for a little vomiting.

Rules

My favorite movie of all time is Steel Magnolias. I feel that, because it's set in a small town not too far from my own, I can relate to much of the southern humor. Without a doubt, Shirley MacLaine takes the prize for her portrayal of Ouiser Boudreaux.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

But now, this is what the Lord says—he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:1-2

Last week, my husband and I visited Boston for the first time. As we strolled down beautiful Beacon Street, we passed by this familiar sign: Cheers. Of course, we immediately began singing the lyrics to the theme song from the popular '80s TV show.

You Say It's Your Birthday

Brothers (and sisters), I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind, and straining toward what is ahead.

Philippians 3:13

Today is my 29th birthday, my last year before the big 3-0. Each year on my birthday, I can't help but assess the prior year's happenings, achievements, and accomplishments. 

A Soul-Searching Question

 Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" He asked.  

Matthew 20:32

 

That is an interesting question, isn’t it? Jesus asked this question to two blind men He encountered as He traveled along the road from Jericho. It is a soul-searching question—one all of us need to ponder.

A Question That Tests Faith

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."  

Mark 10:27             

 A crowd of over 5,000 had gathered to hear Jesus teach. As evening approached, Jesus and His disciples knew the crowd needed to eat. The disciples wanted to send the people away, but instead, Jesus asked Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” (John 6:5) Jesus already knew He was going to multiply a few pieces of bread and fish to feed the people; but first, He asked this question of Philip to test his faith. Philip quickly calculated how much money it would take to feed the crowd and then responded, “Eight months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7) Philip’s calculation was correct from a human perspective. However, his answer showed a lack of faith. Philip left Jesus out of the equation! He neglected to consider the power and ability of God.

Jesus' Question That Gives Hope

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

Jeremiah 31:34

Have you ever felt rejected, alone, and without hope? Have you ever believed that an act you committed was so terrible it could not be forgiven? In the Bible we meet a woman who felt this way, and from her story we gain hope.

One of Jesus' Most Important Questions

But what about you? He asked. Who do you say I am?

Matthew 16:15

 

During His earthly ministry, Jesus stood out as unique among men. Though all agreed Jesus was no ordinary man, opinions greatly varied as to who Jesus was. Some labeled Jesus as an imposter. Others said He was a good teacher or good man. Others said He was who He claimed to be.  Likewise, today men hold various beliefs about who Jesus is.

Learning from the Questions of Jesus

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

 

 The Samaritan woman journeyed to the well outside of town. It was noon, a time of day when others were rarely there. Because of her tarnished background, she avoided the people in town. As she approached, she noticed a Jewish man resting beside the well. She did not speak to him, but she must have wondered why he was there. Jews despised Samaritans and avoided traveling through their country.

Count on it! (Day 5)

...the one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

The seed of our life is the time, talents, actions and intents that we disperse during our years on this earth. The seed allotment we are given at birth looks pretty similar; yet the outcome among individuals over a lifetime is amazingly individual. The crucial factor is the soil in which we sow our seed.

Count on it! (Day 4)

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction.

Galatians 6:8

The article appeared in a spinach-for-the-brain periodical that comes to our home a couple of times a year. Normally, I start a lot more of those articles than I finish, but this particular topic kept my interest from beginning to end. You see, it addressed a societal sea-change that I—and maybe some of you—have witnessed first-hand: the sexual revolution. The facts and trends reported presented profound evidence for the truth of this week’s subject.

Count on it! (Day 3)

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good…       

 Genesis 1:31

 And the Lord God made all kind of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the Garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 

Genesis 2:9

 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not east from the tree of the knowledge of good and  evil…   

Genesis 2:16      

                                                                                         

These three verses provide the background for the encounter between Eve and the serpent recorded in Genesis 3. The gist of that meeting is this: The serpent approaches Eve and feigns disbelief that God has put a part of His creation off-limits to her and Adam. He then assures her that the results will not be as God has said; in fact, their life will be enhanced. Eve considers the appearance of situation and decides he is right. The rest, as they say, is history: the history of all mankind. 

Count on it! (Day 2)

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Galatians 6:7

Recently, we returned from a trip to northern Iowa, the place of my growing-up years. It was planting time and the farmers and any of their friends, relatives or acquaintances able to drive a tractor were consumed with getting the crops in Shortly after planting, the first green shoots will emerge from the rich Midwestern soil. In a few months, the crews will re-gather to harvest the mature crops of corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

Count on it! (Day 1)

 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure, in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

Psalm 73:13

Years ago when our children were in their teens and I volunteered in our high-school youth group, I used to refer to Psalm 73 as “The High School Psalm.” You might remember the gist of it: a good, god-fearing individual looks around and sees a world in which the wicked prosper and doing the right thing seems to count for absolutely nothing. Those sentiments seemed to fit with the experiences of all the nameless “nerds” who did their homework, minded their parents and tried to live their faith in a culture where beauty, athletic ability and “cool” were the keys to the kingdom of high school popularity.

 Nowhere is it documented that Asaph, the author, composed Psalm 73 in a three-ring binder the week before prom. It is just that, for most of us anyway, the high school years represent one’s initial immersion into the superficialities and inequities of the world system.

Maybe you, though far from your teens, agonize over the injustices in this world and man’s inhumanity to man. Or maybe you are trying your best to live a pure and God-honoring life, to be a joyful witness in the midst of a perverse generation, but you secretly struggle with bitterness, and Asaph’s confession, “…I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,” (v.3)  could be yours also. Perhaps as you read this, you are being squeezed by any one of the world’s circumstantial molds, and your current experience doesn’t at all mirror the promises of Scripture or the power of God.

 If any of this is true for you right now, then take heart. God is “near to the broken-hearted.” (Ps. 34:18) From the truth of His Word we can find both comfort and strength.

 Nancy Shirah

The Weed of Busyness

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.  Psalm 46:10

Our next door neighbors have an interesting flower bed. It is full of tiny oak trees. The crop of acorns from last fall has taken root.