JULY 16

OUR PERSONAL PROMISES:

NAMES FOR GOD:

EL BETHEL—GOD OF THE HOUSE OF GOD

ELOHE CHASSEDDI—GOD OF MERCY

EL ELOHE YISRAEL—MIGHTY GOD OF ISRAEL

(“EL” ATTACHED  MEANS THE MOST HIGH GOD” )

This month we will read the book, “Whatever Happens – How to Stand Firm in Your Faith When the World is Falling Apart.”  By a contemporary author of many best-selling Christian books, Robert J. Morgan.  He took care of his wife when she had MS, until she went home to her Savior.  “He knows of which he speaks.”  I pray that this book blesses you.

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Philippians 1:20-26

“ according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.  Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.  And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith,  that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.”

WHATEVER HAPPENS …..CHOOSE A LIFE MOTTO

Recently I thought back to my college yearbook.  The school asked graduating seniors to select a “life verse” to put under our pictures.  I had so many verses, I asked if I could submit a life motto instead.   They agreed.  So, under my 22-year-old picture are these words:  “the will of God.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.”

That’s a good motto and I’ve sought to live by it, but I’ve since found another one.  If I were graduating today, I would choose Philippians 1:21.  It’s the best motto I’ve ever heard.  It fits any occasion and meets any moment.  A dozen words, each of them only one syllable – yet they encompass anything and everything to which we would aspire.

“FOR ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN.”

That summarized Paul’s philosophy and ordered his actions.  It focused his aspirations and fueled his ambitions.  It repressed his vices and regulated his conduct.  Here’s what he said in context in Philippians 1:20-26 (NASB):

“according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.   For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better;  yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith,  so that your pride in Christ Jesus may be abundant because of me by my coming to you again.”

As we’ve seen, the apostle was facing legal hearings before emperor Nero concerning charges made nearly five years before in Jerusalem.  He was constantly chained to soldiers, yet his attitude was strong, as we see in his six powerful affirmations.

I EAGERLY EXPECT AND HOPE

The words “expect” and “hope” are synonyms that reflect a certainty.  When the Bible talks about hope, it refers to total expectation and anticipation of something sure to happen,( unlike our modern English application of the word.)  Paul was convinced God would give him sufficient courage regardless of any twists and turns in his legal turmoil.

Think of it.  He was in a new situation, a threatening one he had never experienced before.  He was about to stand in a Roman courtroom before the volatile ruler Nero and be called to account for his Christian faith.  His emotional response to this challenge:  “I do not expect to fall apart or have a spiritual breakdown or deny the faith.  I do expect that God will give me sufficient courage so that whatever happens, I will exalt Christ – whether I’m set free or whether I’m executed.”  (Author’s Paraphrase – can you relate?)

I WILL HAVE SUFFICIENT COURAGE

I love the phrase “sufficient courage”  It doesn’t mean Paul didn’t have anxious questions.  But he was certain God would give him sufficient courage in the moment.

In PILGRIM’S PROGRESS, the travelers were frightened because they heard about two lions in the Pathway ahead.  But they trusted the Lord and pressed on.

Eventually they found the lions on either side of the path, chained.  Both roared and strained at their restraints, but there was just enough room for the travelers to pass between them unscathed.  It took courage, though they were safe in the center of the pathway.  In the same way, the Lord will give you sufficient courage for whatever you face on your pathway as you stay in the center of His will.

CHRIST WILL BE EXALTED WHATEVER HAPPENS

The apostle Paul’s courage embraced the fact that whatever happened – should he live or die – Christ would be exalted:  “I …have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”

When I was in college,  “If I live Well, Praise the Lord” was my favorite song, and it ended with the words, “If I live or die, my only cry will be:  Jesus in me, praise the Lord.”

When you come to this point in your thinking, you’re free to live with courage and confidence.  Why?  Because you’re saying, “It doesn’t matter what happens as long as Christ is exalted.”  You’re repudiating the power of circumstances to affect the core of your life.  You’re disallowing the situations you face to determine the attitude you embrace.  Whatever happens, it won’t matter all that much as long as Christ is exalted in it all.

The attitude of exalting Christ whatever happens has the power to weaken or destroy the grip of circumstance-based anxiety in our lives – to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Here and now, the risen Christ, through the indwelling Holy Spirit, wants to be your Lord and your life, your Creator and Sustainer, your first thought and last thought of the day.  He should be the captivator of every motive and the motivator of every deed.

He is a friend closer than a brother, richer than a trillionaire, wiser than a scholar, greater than a ruler.  He came to give us life and to give it more abundantly.  Paul said, in effect, “I want to know Him.  He is my life.”

2 Corinthians 5:15 says, “He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”

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