Category: Philippians

Demons do it naturally…

Mark 5:1-20 (Read it here)

What a great passage… Particularly the last verse, verse 20. It reads: “And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”

Here is a guy who could not be bound because of the many evil spirits living in him. He was living in a graveyard. He had ripped off any shackles and chains other people had used to try and subdue him with. All day and night he tortured himself – cutting himself with stones.  He was a mess.  He was possessed by many evil spirits.

HOWEVER! When he saw Jesus from afar (v6) – he ran to him and worshiped Him.  That’s crazy!

Did the thought ever occur to you that this was quite possibly the very first time this man had ever laid eyes on Jesus? If this man was living in the graveyard, ostracized by everyone, then it’s highly likely no one had ever told him about what Jesus was teaching or who Jesus claimed himself to be. He probably hadn’t heard that Jesus was performing miracles of healing and freedom.

But something in this man knew.

Something in this man knew Jesus.  Something knew his power, his authority, and his might. Something in this man revered Jesus and acknowledged his royalty. I believe that the evil spirits knew Jesus.  They also knew they were subject to him and were following protocol that they had observed and practiced millions of times in Heaven.

When in the presence of the King, you bow down and worship. See Phil 2:9-10.

Why don’t I follow the same protocol?

Why do I sometimes have difficulty doing what demons do naturally?  

OUCH!  That stung just writing it.

Jesus delivered him. Jesus freed him. Here was a man who had a brief encounter with Christ and was freed from a lifetime and lifestyle of bondage and harm.  Jesus changed him.  Jesus changed me.  Jesus can change anyone who submits to him.

When Jesus and the disciples were about to leave. The man begged to go with them. (v18)

How often do I do the exact same thing? When I have a life-impacting encounter with the Lord, how quickly I want to just tarry there and stay in his presence. But that’s not what we’re to do.

Jesus would not let him go with them.

v20 says “And he [the formerly demon-possessed man] departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.”

He told his story and all marveled.

That’s it.  It’s that simple.  That’s all we have to do. Proclaim all that Jesus has done for us.  I tell my story.  You tell your story.

No person can argue, refute, or deny what one man had experienced.

We don’t have to be gifted orators or preachers or evangelists. We simply have to tell our own story.  I can’t tell yours.  You can’t tell mine.  We are the only ones who can tell our own story.

Tell your story.

Running after Papa…

One word changes everything – James 1:1

If we could only live out this one little chapter in this one little book.

Frankly, if we could all live out the first half of the first sentence, everything else would fall in place.

James 1:1 (NKJV) James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…

I’ve always been intrigued by James’ identification of himself. Bondservant. We know him as Jesus’ half-brother – the son of Joseph and Mary. He was also the cousin of John the Baptist – another great name in his generation. I’ll tell you, I would have probably done a little name dropping, if I were James….

Yet James identifies himself as a “bondservant.” So what does that really mean?

Strong’s Concordance defines it to mean the following:

  1. a slave, one who gives himself up to another’s will
  2. devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests

The idea here is not a slave like we understand of pre-Civil War America – where human beings were forced or born into bondage and regarded as owned property to be bought, sold, used, abused, or traded as their owner saw fit. The idea here is a voluntary stepping into servant-hood out of devotion and relationship.

This completely describes Christ’s life on earth. Jesus gave himself up to another’s (his Father’s) will – to the point of death (Philippians 2:8). Jesus was totally devoted to his Father to the disregard of his own interests, his own desires, his own wants, his own image. He didn’t care what people thought, or said, or did toward him. He was completely and utterly walking in God’s hands. After all, Jesus did what his Father did (John 5:19) and said what his Father said (John 12:49).

Jesus voluntarily stepped into servant-hood out of devotion and relationship to God, his Father – to the disregard of his own interests.

James voluntarily stepped into servant-hood out of devotion and relationship to Jesus and God – to the disregard of his own interests.

So the question begs itself…. How do I identify myself?

The question goes deeper than it seems on initial glance. Not only does this imply how I identify myself to others, but how do I really identify myself to myself?

Do I give up to another’s will? Am I so devoted to my Lord? Does it show in how I treat – or should I say serve – my wife and family? After all, Ephesians says I’m to love my wife like Christ loved the Church – for whom Jesus died.

It all comes back to complete humility. If you’ve read many of my posts, you know I often end up here… Galatians 2:20. Dying to self as an act of my will.

Discuss: How does it affect mine and the lives around me to accurately identify myself as a bondservant? How do I do that?

Leave a comment.

Running After Papa…

Day 21 – Coincidence? I think not….

Interesting day today.  I just finished reading Caroline Leaf’s book, Who Switched Off My Brain?, which is an amazing and fascinating study on how we detox our toxic thought life and how our brain works in general.  Dr. Leaf goes to our church and her premise verse in this book is

Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

This is one of the foundational scriptures I started this experiment with.  Dr. Leaf’s book is a layman’s explanation of the science behind how we can actually renew our minds – our thoughts, our memories, our recollections.    The book is a fairly easy read – I read it in 2 days – most of the read was while we were driving to Destin, FL  for our vacation – thanks Honey for driving for so many hours!

Once we got here, I started another book that I’ve had for years and read many moons ago.  It’s a book by John Maxwell, entitled Thinking For A Change.  By coincidence (…uh… yeah…..right….) one of his foundational verses is:

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy —meditate on these things.

It’s amazing – this is the other verse I started this experiment with.   I am excited to see what God is going to speak over the days off on my vacation.

I love when God coordinates things like this… It excites me to know he thinks about the little details of my life and drops in those little unexpected surprises.  A very good friend of mine calls them “God kisses”…

Thank you Lord for caring about the little details…

… Running After Papa

Day 13 – “meditate on these things”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

“meditate”….

I was just going over this verse again and thought I’d look into the action of this verse.  This is the command (so to speak) that Paul gives about all the things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy.

Admittedly, my first thought on the word “mediate” brings out visions of sitting cross-legged, back straight, chest out, eyes closed, with my arms outstretched and my hands palms up, making “o’s” with my fingers (yes… with my pinky out!) while chanting  ‘Ohmmmmmmm‘….  I’m not sure that’s exactly what Paul meant when he chose that word.

According to Strong’s, the word translated as “meditate”  (logizomai) means: “1 to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over. 2 to reckon inward, count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate. 3 by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather or infer.  Additional Information: This word deals with reality. If I “logizomai” or reckon that my bank book has $25 in it, it has $25 in it. Otherwise I am deceiving myself. This word refers to facts not suppositions (emphasis added).”

The “added information” is very interesting when you couple it with the origin of the word. Logizomai is a form of “logos” which specifically deals with uttered (spoken) word by a living voice.

In several of the previous posts breaking down this passage, God showed me – and this now confirms it – that what I am to meditate on is what God says about me – not my shortcomings and past failures – as it relates to all things true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praiseworthy. (NOTE: each word links to the previous post I did for that word)

What God says is 100% absolute truth and not supposition.  God says that all my past failures are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and forever forgotten “… as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12)” and no longer “meditate-able.’

All my past failures and shortcomings are 100% supposition, conjecture and theory

This is good news O my soul… very good news indeed….

… Running After Papa

Day 9 – “… any virtue… anything praiseworthy…”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Virtuous and praiseworthy….

Paul is really getting down to brass tacks here.  If you remember, each of the “whatevers” have implied something – my words, others, my actions, how ‘in tune’ I am with Christ, my close relationships, received and given blessings – which brings us to here.  Today’s “whatever” words mean exactly what I think they do.  They deal with me – my inner man.  “Any virtue” is a direct shot at the character and morals of my life.  Character and morals are things that can be easily hidden and glossed over.  John Eldredge – in his book, Wild at Heart – calls it “posing.”

Who I really am is something only God really knows. (Jeremiah 17:8).

It would be really easy to begin meditating on my inner man and listen to the lies of the enemy trying to define me by what I have done in the past.  I think this is why Paul qualifies that we are to meditate on “anything praiseworthy.” Romans clearly says that I have “…fallen short of the glory of God…” and that’s not what defines me. The redemptive blood and resurrection of Jesus is what defines me as a son of God.  Through Jesus, I am a Son.  Through his resurrection, I am an heir.  See Gal 4:6-7 – the verse I based this entire blog on. It is also found in Romans 8:14-18.  That’s who I am.

Colossians 3 in The Message is a great chapter in defining that new life and who I am.

When it all comes down to it, that’s all that is really virtuous in me is Jesus.  All that is really praiseworthy is Christ.  Again, I go back to Galatians 2:20 (Like I’ve said before, I always end up here…)

Gal 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

My character – my morals – are all rooted in Christ living in me.

“… any virtue… anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

… Running After Papa

Day 8 – “whatever things are of good report”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Good Report.

Looking deeper into this word, I’m intrigued at what I think it means.  My best interpretation means blessings  – words of blessings.  The Greek word for it means “uttering words of good omen, speaking auspiciously.”  Auspiciously?  What the…. Huh?

I hate it when I have to get the dictionary out to define a word in a definition….  Auspiciously means “affording a favorable auspice : PROPITIOUS”

Ahhh… got it.  It’s all crystal clear now…

(For those of you like me who are scratching your head and wishing you’d have paid attention in High School English class – “auspice” means “a prophetic sign, especially a  good sign” and “propitious” means “favorably disposed; a good omen; tending to favor” – Hmmm… why couldn’t they just say that to begin with?)

Wow – I don’t think I’ve ever intentionally meditated on spoken blessings.  I”ve received words from people that have encouraged and blessed me and I’ve given words to others that I pray had the same effect.  But I’m not sure I’ve often been intentional about meditating on those words – either those given to me or those to give away.

I can see how that could change my perspective… dwelling on encouraging things… looking and praying for encouragement for others…. Yes, that would be a good thing.  That would be a VERY good thing.

I like it.  Today I will meditate on those things of good report.

…Running After Papa

 

Day 6 – “whatever things are lovely”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Lovely.

I am expecting that this could take a while to put this post together, given the word “lovely” and how it relates to “love” and the millions of references and inferences I could make on the topic.

However, as I look at the Greek word behind “lovely”, which is prosphiles [pros·fee·lace], I am intrigued that this is the only time in Scripture that this form of this word is used.  The only verse in the over 31,000 verses in the Bible, that uses this form of this word.  I find that interesting and difficult as there is nothing else to compare it to and infer deeper meaning or implications…  You know me, I like doing that…

Strong’s concordance presumes this is a compound word from two other words – “pros” and “phileo” (now that one is familiar…)

Pros translates into “unto” 340 times and “to” 203 times.  But it is another form of the word “pro” which basically means “before”.

Phileo means “to love’; to approve of; to treat affectionately or kindly; a kiss;”  and is a form of philos which means “friend; companion; one of the bridegroom’s friends who on his behalf asked the hand of the bride and rendered him various services in closing the marriage and celebrating the nuptials.”  Let’s just say this isn’t the same as being “friended” on Facebook!  Nor is this the same standard by which my kids explain their relationships.

I remember many years ago when we went on a family vacation to Destin, Florida.  One day we were hanging at the beach and one of my daughters (who was 4 or 5 at the time)  met some other little kid on the beach and they played for an hour or so.  When she finally came over to where were sitting for some water, I asked her who she was playing with and she replied confidently and without hesitation, “My friend.”  I asked her what her friend’s name was and she paused,  looked back over her shoulder at the child on the beach, stared for a couple of seconds, and looked back at me and said, “I don’t know,” got her water and ran back over to play with her nameless friend.

No, this word “philos” is much more than that.  It implies a close association, an intimacy on a deeper level.  A relationship that has been proven trustworthy over time.  I have to admit, I would have to really trust someone to have them propose on my behalf and “help me out” during the nuptials…. I mean come on! It’s the kind of friendship (although fictional) portrayed by Lucy and Ethyl in “I Love Lucy.”

So – for me – today’s meditation is specific to those close and intimate relationships I have – those different than any of my acquaintances, associates, and Facebook friends.

I think the meditation (at least in part) opens the eyes of my heart to the goodness of my God in giving me these relationships – with my wife, my children, my parents, my sister and family, those few really close men whom I consider as brothers.  When I think about and am (as The Message version puts it) “filling my mind and meditating on” those lovely things – my heart is filled with gratitude and thankfulness, as it’s not about quantity – but about quality.  When I meditate on those relationships my heart wants to nurture, nourish and not neglect them – as it is so easy for me to take them for granted.

My life filter continues to grow.  First it was “true” – which pertains to my words – which overflow from my heart.  Next it was “noble” – which pertains to my actions. The Paul added “just” – which pertains towards others and my overall outwardly actions.  Yesterday I was undone over “pure” which is in relation to myself and how “in tune” I am with Jesus (and quite honestly this might get another post!).  Today I’ve discovered that “lovely” is specific to those relationships closest to me.

“…whatever things are lovely… meditate on these things.”

…Running After Papa

Day 5 – “whatever things are pure”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Pure.

Merriam Webster’s a.(1)  definition of “pure” is: “unmixed with any other matter.”

Just contemplating the meaning of that is enough to end this post here.

Galatians 2:20 (my life verse) says that I’ve been crucified and it is no longer I who lives , but Christ lives in me.

Pure… Christ lives in me…  “unmixed with any other matter”  Hmmm…. need I say more?

Webster’s 2nd definition of “pure” is “being free from harshness and roughness and being in tune“ – there is a whole sermon in that statement…. so many thing are running through my mind on how that is so applicable to me.

  1. “… free from harshness or roughness…” – If I am the hands of Jesus, are my hands rough and calloused, or are they soft and tender?   Is my demeanor abrasive and or irritating (don’t answer that!) or am I gentle and accepting, forgiving and seeing the best in those around me, like Jesus did with the group of misfits he made into disciples.
  2. “… being in tune…” – Being a worshiper and musician I so understand and relate to this… how being just the slightest bit out of tune can absolutely ruin a melody.  How often am I ruining the song Jesus wants to sing through me by being out of tune?   Looking deeper into the sound waves – the basis of what we hear – it begs the question, “Do I resonate with the Master?”  The more I look at this, the more interesting it gets….

The Anatomy of a Sound Wave

 

The wavelength is the distance from one peak of a wave to the next.

Frequency – what most of us call “pitch” – is a measure of waves in a given space of time.  It’s measured in Hertz (Hz).  For example, a note with the frequency of 440 Hz (the note, A) means that 440 pulses occur in one second.

Amplitude is the measure of the amount of energy in a wave – basically, how loud it is — and is measured in decibels (Db).

Enough of the science/music lesson.  The point is that it is EASY to not be “in tune” with the Lord – I’ve got at least three ways to be out of sync: wavelength, frequency and amplitude.  The only way, my wavelength, frequency, and amplitude can match His is if I am ABSENT from the sound wave and it is ONLY HIS SOUND.  When I am involved, I just mess up His sound, get out of sync and make the note that much less pure.

Musically, it’s called dissonance… yet another interesting definition from Webster:

dis•so•nance \ˈdi-sə-nən(t)s\ noun
1      a : lack of agreement especially : inconsistency between the beliefs one holds or between one’s actions and one’s beliefs — compare COGNITIVE DISSONANCE
b : an instance of such inconsistency or disagreement
2      : a mingling of discordant sounds especially : a clashing or unresolved musical interval or chord
Merriam-Webster, I. (2003). Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary. (Eleventh ed.). Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc.

Lack of agreement… inconsistency… clashing or unresolved musical intervals (frequency of wavelengths) or chords.  I go back to Galatians 2:20 (it seems that all roads lead to this verse for me) – “…this life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God…“

I challenge you to look up the word “pure” in the dictionary – skip the Greek, let’s just focus on the English definition today – and apply each and every definition under “pure” to your spiritual walk.

“… whatever things are pure… meditate on these things.”

Be careful to remember what Paul says here – “…meditate on these things…”

I’m not supposed to dwell on how impure I am – how out of tune I’ve become – how much I’ve mixed myself into this life that Jesus is supposed to be living in me.  No, I’m supposed to meditate on “… whatever things are pure…” – which in my simple mind, is only Jesus… nothing much else.

“… whatever things are pure… meditate on these things.”

…Running After Papa

Day 4 – “whatever things are just”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Just.

Before I start, just an update on what’s “happening” with me – physically and mentally –  in this journey.  I’m in day four of (except where mandated by my work responsibilities) no media influence or any other information or input other than that which relates to the Lord.  Two nights ago, while the others were watching TV, I went into my room and just sang with my favorite worship songs for over an hour.  For the last two mornings, the Lord has woken me up between 6:00 and 6:30 without an alarm clock… in fact, last night I forgot to set my alarm clock.  That’s been pretty cool.

Today, however, my mental focus (in non-work times)  has been really difficult.  My mind is constantly racing – even in my quiet time this morning.  I just couldn’t get into the flow of the Word and my time with Him.  I was really distracted.  This must be what it’s like to have a touch of ADD.

I wonder if I’m honestly having some mental withdrawal symptoms…  I understand that those who quit addictions “cold turkey” often have other physical symptoms manifest.  I feel a bit like an alcoholic trying to quit drinking while working at a bar…. Our TV is on throughout the day as different kids watch different shows at different times during the day.

However, there is something in me that is stirring within and makes me think that this mire I seem to be spiritually bogged down has an exit point.  My soul expectantly draws me forward in that gut-feeling belief that this will end and some level of breakthrough is on the other side.  So I expectantly keep trudging. One spiritual foot in front of the other.  At this point my steps seem to weigh a thousand pounds, but I keep on.  Back to the post….

Just.

I had a hard time with this word – given my lack of focus and clarity this morning –  until I started uncovering the meaning of the Greek it’s translated from – dikaios and it’s root dike (pronounced dee-kay).  It then becomes fairly obvious that this word deals with how we are toward others.  It is the concept of right weights and measures – many other translations translate this word to “right”.  Eugene Peterson, who wrote “The Message” bible translates it as “reputable”.  All of these have a connotation as to how we are with others.

In Matthew 23:27-30 Jesus uses this word (both occurrences of the word “righteous”) in one of his tirades aimed at the religious leaders of the day:

Matthew 23:27-30 (NKJV)27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’

“… whatever is just… meditate on these things.”

Paul’s building a life filter here.  First it was “true” – which pertains to my words.  Next it was “noble” – which pertains to my actions; Now we have “just” – which pertains towards others.

It was a good day – in spite of the difficulties.  I hope you’re enjoying the posts.  If you are leave a comment. Let me know what’s going on in your life.

It’s about 8:00 o’clock.  This is where it gets really tough because this is… no, was “TV time.”

I think I’ll go for a run.

…Running After Papa

 

Day 3 – “whatever things are noble”

Phil 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Nobility.

Immediately when I hear that word, I think back to an era of Kings & Queens, Princes and Princesses, Dukes and Lords and other noblemen and noblewomen of the day. Being a huge Monte Python fan, I’m careful to separate history from the hilarity of John Cleese being turned into a newt!

So what is Paul saying when he says to meditate on things noble? According to Strong’s concordance, noble means “1. august, venerable, reverend. 2. to be venerated for character, honourable.” This simply means… I have to get my dictionary out! “August” – if you are in Texas means “unending days of 100+ temperatures” – but Webster and the rest of the world defines it as: “marked by dignity or grandeur”; “venerable (or venerated)” means “to regard with reverential respect or with admiring deference; to honor with a ritual act of devotion”; and “reverend” means “worthy of reverence; of or relating to the clergy.”

I get the idea. It’s about character. It’s about behavior. It’s about reverence. It’s relating to our actions.

So the question begs, “How?” How do I fill my mind and mediate on things noble?

In Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible he states: “a regard to truth in our words and engagements, and to decency and becomingness in our behaviour, suitable to our circumstances and condition of life.”

Colossians 3 is an amazing book. It’s one I’m considering memorizing. It is an entire chapter on how to practically live out this Christian life. If I had to find a couple of verses that capture the essence of what Paul is talking about in this idea of “noble”, as noble is directed at our actions, I think it would be Colossians 3:12-13.

Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV) 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

So for today, “…whatever things are noble…” I will meditate on and live out and “… put on…” those traits of nobility.

** SIDE NOTE ** It’s getting pretty cool. God is waking me up earlier and earlier – before my alarm goes off to help me have more time to soak in His presence. From a “practically walking this out” perspective, it’s getting hard. The evenings are when my kids like to watch TV shows and there are a few series that we watch together. They keep calling me to watch what we’ve recorded and I’m having to remind them of my 30 day journey…. Keep me in your prayers…. the enemy is in full attack mode (my will, my family, my job) but my God is faithful – this I can be sure of.

…Running After Papa