Philippians Bible Sketches

What do you love about inspiration and encouragement?

 

Have you been consoled so you are equipped to comfort others?

 

Are you grateful for warmth radiating from participation in a church family?

Are you extending and appreciating affection and sympathy?

Philippians 2:1-2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 2:1-2

The King of Unchanging Love is born for us!

Christians don’t only go to church, we are the Church. The faith is important—we depend on it. Good news of great joy comes to us! We get help we seriously need to trust and honor Jesus. His sacrificial love and mercy provides power for us to repent. We come whether things seem to be well or we’re sad, tired and hungry. Craving the Word preached—we’re filled. Air is light. Voices sing poetic hymns. Fed with tangible gifts, we’re absolutely forgiven and strengthened. For wisdom, bright smiles, simple “good morning” greetings, plus many more beautiful reasons—we come together as often as possible. 

The Bible won’t disappoint. 

Believers have an awesome certain hope of the future. There’s guidance for living moment-by-moment, plus, clarification of exactly why we may let go of worry. We praise the self-forgetful obedience of Jesus, who for our sake, willingly endured the punishment for all sin. Gratitude motivates us to share what we may, one-day-at-a-time, by the grace of God. The Holy Spirit does the rest, so we can rest.

Curious? 

Check out this church locator. Introduce yourself to people. Ask questions. We all forget… don’t be afraid to ask again and again.

Philippians 2:9-10

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:9-10

Love shares Truth; it does not affirm what is false.

Eventually, everyone will be raised from the dead, bow to Jesus, and be judged according to reception or rejection of the faith available for everyone. 

Philippians 2:14-15

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, Philippians 2:14-15

No grumbling or disputing?

None? Tell that to an infant who’s hungry and needs a diaper change. Maturity is a process. Thankfully, Jesus died to cover our lack of contentment during trials and difficulties. Our Heavenly Father is the author and perfecter of faith which patiently cooperates with others. It’s purpose makes us glow like the moon in darkness, reflecting the love of the Son!

Thank the Lord for love that shines! 

My family traveled to spend time with me! As I held my 20-month-old granddaughter on my hip, the tiny beauty mark on my neck was right in her line of vision. Her sweet little arms, dimpled hands, perfectly positioned tiny fingers pointed out my mole. Even toddlers notice differences that don’t seem right. We may wish our spots, blemishes, needs and differences would disappear; however, they’re part of who we are. Unique are our purposes in this life together. We depend on our all-knowing Creator who made each of us to function within His plan that’s higher than we know. A bit later, this darling little girl came to me with non-verbal sounds and an inquisitive look which begged me to ask if she wanted to show me something. She nodded yes, grabbed my finger and walked me places to explore. Twice, she stopped to look at the graduation portraits on my shelves. As she pointed to her dad’s cousins one-by-one, I was delighted to introduce her to each of my nieces and nephews by name. I’m blessed for opportunity to play and interact with this wonderful child, a gift from God. Memories washed through me of her great-great-grandmothers, my mother and my own precious children at this age. Similar to how her parents taught her to say, “Iowa” on their way home, God lovingly teaches us and desires we all be saved by abundant grace in Truth of the Gospel.

In this world, it is easy to slip into grumbling. 

Chronic complaining and sinful criticism are as annoying as a leaky drip that just won’t stop. Putting ourselves in another’s shoes, acknowledging their pain, lovingly setting boundaries and practicing patience, often, aren’t first-response actions that come to our human minds. The devil tempts us to doubt anything having to do with God’s good law of grace. Ignoring problems, retaliating injuries, minimizing fault and blame-shifting responsibility are evil lies to aggravate bad situations and oppose the blessed discipline of the Gospel.

Faith allows us to pour our complaints out in prayer.

Confident that correction, healing and growth come from outside ourselves, in Christ, we prayerfully dive deeply into the Word’s wisdom. With practice, its broad light and blessings become our own to share. Everyone fails, but Jesus never does. He covered everyone at the cross. Cherish the magnitude of His patience with us—the pure effectiveness His love has over consequences of sin in this world. Things don’t go as we expect, but then we must remember that what we expect may not be in the plan for the goodness God has in store for us and others. We pray, listen and wait.

Jesus is God. We are not.

By faith, we’re impacted by grace loving, kind, gentle, humble, reasonable, teachable and caring people who are pleasant to be around. We can take them seriously. 

The arrogant and harsh—not so much. Look out for worldly and spiritual conceit. It is grossly problematic to rely on human rules, desires, education, wealth, status, age or position in life more than the God of peace. 

Truth is all about Jesus, who by the essence of who He is, supplies us with every need of ours and confidence in the excellent knowledge of his will.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord.

Honesty, warmth and hope—God’s plan of mercy in Jesus points those who love Him to an undeserved, promised nonetheless, blissful eternity! Rejoice always surrounded by people who rejoice! Celebrate being united in the supportive body of Christ!

Philippians 4:6-7

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. Philippians 4:6-7

Breathe in grace, exhale repentance. Repeat. Relax.

Pray alone and with others. Immerse yourself in Scripture. Go to church. Listen to Christian podcasts, Bible studies and sacred music. As you are able, take a walk; bundle-up in cold climates. Praise God for the marvelous complex beauty of His creation.

Our Savior listens when we tap into powerful prayer for

• establishing a habit to pray continuously to Our Father in Heaven
  
• inspiration to set excellent goals that are helpful to others
  
• mindfulness of if/what/how/when/why to plan/say/do
• vision to fully comprehend and confess our own failures, both to God and to anyone we come to realize we’ve hurt 
  
• courage to conform to God’s will
  
• willingness to admit our own mistakes
• thanksgiving of complete forgiveness
  
• ability to forgive others

Thankfully, there’s peace in God’s presence. Christ took on the sin of the world and defeated it for us at the cross.

• His scarred hands hold what’s beyond ours to control or accomplish while He preserves our faith and protects us
  
• He hears heartfelt confessions, removes guilt, and replaces emptiness with comfort
  
• He enlightens us with gifts to share with others by actions that reflect His love
  

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:8

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. Philippians 4:8

The Holy Spirit untwists deception, puts a positive spin on Truth, uplifts attitudes and prepares us to reflect the Light of Christ.

Glorious things belong to us who are covered by the grace of Jesus. Faith stirs hearts into action. God’s abundant peace and blessing help us listen carefully. We enjoy opportunities to worship regularly. Undeserved, unearned by us—faith frees us!

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

We aren’t crushed and destroyed because the power belongs to Christ. 

When we hurt and face tough times, the Holy Spirit’s nudges remind us what He is giving us to do with the help of God. He tells us to pray and promises to deliver us from evil. His life-saving mercy comforts. His patience essentially protects and preserves our body, soul and sanity in the midst of human confusion, suffering and sorrow. God has special ways of cheering us on, reminding us of many blessings in our lives!

At the cross, our Redeemer innocently suffered as our Substitute for the joy of saving us. He willingly took the wrath and punishment we deserve for our sins and the sins committed against us. He defeated death and the devil. After Jesus rose from the grave, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then others in a locked room where He spoke to them of peace. Before He ascended to sit with our Father in heaven,

he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16

God’s design of salvation doesn’t measure success by our perfection, quality of work, or decision. He sees us through Jesus-goggles, measuring success by Christ’s merit. Mercifully supplied with contentment in His Word and Sacraments which nourish, open eyes/hearts/minds, strengthen and guide—we trust God’s love for us not only forgives—Jesus also removes what separates us from Him. The Holy Spirit disciplines us to grow up and trust, not ourselves, but Jesus who guarantees life with Him when He returns! So, we share this good news of opportunity to be gathered by the Lord of Creation in eternal paradise! Since we know it’s possible to miss out on that promise when someone rejects gifts of the Holy Spirit, we pray for opportunities and courage to lovingly warn friends, family and anyone who is not worshiping Jesus.

More

• Video summary
• Read or listen to Philippians (4 short chapters)

Pray

“Lord, forgive me when I forget that all people are precious to You. When personal prejudices and poor first impressions turn me away from loving my neighbor, remind me that, in Christ, we are one. In His name I pray. Amen.” Mustard Seed

Forgiveness and peace

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. —C.S. Lewis

God’s good-will to men is proven in sending Jesus for the redemption of the world. God’s kindness and love designed this free gift (we don’t deserve it). He introduced peace in this world—extinguished the separation that sin had raised between God and man and established a peaceful connection. If God be at peace with us, all peace results from it: peace of conscience and peace with other people. Peace is all that is good which flows to us from Christ. All the good we have, or hope, is owing to God’s good-will; and, if we have the comfort of it, He must have the glory of it.

Take the benefit of peace though vessels of His mercy! Worship, praise Him, listen to His Word and receive His gifts of forgiveness. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” To help you grow in faith, my hope is that you will visit my church or find a similar church in your area.

“Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Luke 2:14 ESV
Christmas Inspirations Postcard Number Five ©Elizabeth B. Knaus

The Savior Brings Peace

Read more about these postcards for sale at the Christian Postcard Section in my Etsy Shop.

Losing parents at a young age. Growth through adversity. The big picture of life.

At the gas pump today a friendly stranger struck up a conversation. This person was waiting for me to finish washing my windows so he could use the squeegee sponge thingamajig next. He said, “nice car” to which I thanked him and told him I’d bought it from my mom when she became ill and was no longer able to drive. He said it might be good for 300,000 miles if I took good care of it. I said, “I hope so!” Then he asked if she was still living. I told him no, she passed away a little over a year ago. He told me his mom died when he was only 21 and that it had made a big impact on his life. It was time to move on, so I didn’t find out what he meant by that. I left with thoughts about how each of us never knows when we will lose someone we love. Catastrophes such as the violent tragedy in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater, the events of 9/11, war, car accidents; natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes; unexpected illnesses of children, young and elderly; and the inevitable death by old-age cause heart-breaking losses.

I began to consider my parents lives. When she was still a part of my life, my mom helped me record our genealogy information on a family tree chart I designed. Both of my grandmothers lived long lives, but I cannot say the same for my grandfathers. My mother’s father died from illness when she was only 17. My father was only 15 when he lost his father—a farmer struck by lightening while working in the field with two sons and his horses. My father’s and his brother’s lives were spared. I don’t like to imagine how hard it was to lose their pa that way and for their younger brother, sister and ma who were just a short distance away in their home. When anyone says the chances of being struck by lightening are slim to none, I differ, based on my own family history.

Not everyone will die of old age. It’s important to consider this as we live our lives. Life is precious. The family and friends we have are blessings. I can clearly see the peace, love and comfort of God shine through the lives of so many faithful people as they’ve touched my life when I’ve shared a trouble or sadness with them. Both of my grandmothers and their children (my parents, aunts and uncles) surely received loving kindness, sympathy, comfort and encouragement from their Christian friends and relatives when they suffered the loss of their husbands/fathers. I am learning that tragedies of all types—whether it be the loss of life or any kind of failure and suffering—has a higher purpose: to bring us closer to God and share His love as we serve Him by bearing each other’s burdens.

I wonder, since both of my parents each lost their father at a young age, was this common experience something that may have drawn them to each other? It certainly seems like more than a simple coincidence. The compassion they had learned from all of the people who surrounded them during their losses was now a part of their own character. This was something that they truly understood about each other. This love of God is what they built their marriage upon for 58 years until death parted them. How thankful I am that this love and eternal peace is what they shared with me. Now, through the gift of faith—by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ—they are united with God and all who share that faith—their loved ones who went before them and eventually with all who will meet them some day in eternity where there is no more pain and sorrow.

The fact that both of my grandma’s were named Ida just might be a coincidence, however, what comes next—following their losses—was different for each. My fraternal grandma never remarried. She was 47 when her husband died from a natural disaster and she remained a widow for the the next 42 years of her life. My maternal grandma remarried twice. She lost her husband when she was 42; lost her second husband when she was 54; and lost her third husband (the “grandpa” I knew) when she was 74. Our lives certainly are impacted by every event and person that shapes the path we follow. My grandmothers were truly blessings to me and each person within their circles.

In the big picture of life, I am amazed at how intricately woven together I am with other people—like mesh. Beginning from conception, we were physically and emotionally connected to our mothers. When we were born our uniqueness is tied to each person in our immediate family and circle of relatives and friends. As we grow up, our circle expands. With technology, social media or by chance, we have knowledge about lives of people we don’t know personally and are reconnected to those from our past. The size of our circle no longer has bounds. I will never know the story the gentleman at the gas station might have shared, but what he said made me think. We learn from others and are inspired by them. We empathize with them and help when we can. We pray.

For you formed my inward parts;
    you knitted me together in my mother's womb. —Psalm 139: 13