Wise Words

Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
They'll help you live a long, long time,
   a long life lived full and well.

Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
   Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
   in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
   don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
   he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
   Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
   your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
   give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.

Proverbs 3:1-10

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Sometimes This Verse is Hard to Believe

By Allen White

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers Romans 8:28-29 (NIV).

There is nothing that has happened to you that God doesn’t know about. Now, before you start wondering why God doesn’t start doing something, let’s look at the story of Joseph.

Jealous brothers faked Joseph’s death and sold him into slavery. Joseph prospered. Then, he was falsely accused by his employer’s wife and went to jail. Joseph interpreted dreams for Pharaoh’s servants, then “when two full years had passed” (Genesis 41:1, NIV), Pharaoh had that dream. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams. There would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh appointed Joseph to oversee the strategic preparation for the famine. Joseph’s ability saved not only his family, but also the people of God who ultimately gave us the Messiah.

Did Joseph have a “good” life? In many ways, he had a terrible life. Everything was not good. But, consider the conclusion: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen. 50:20, NIV). What is God up to in your life? He’s up to something.

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What If You Had Nothing to Lose?

By Allen White

I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. Philippians 1:20-24 (MSG)

Do you catch Paul’s drift here? Pleasure and rest are in Heaven. Working for the benefit of others is a believer’s job on earth. Both are life-giving and good. Heaven is certainly not a place on earth. The freedom we have in Christ is to give all of ourselves away knowing that the vast majority of our existence will be spent in a place where there is no sorrow, no mourning and no pain (Revelation 21:4). There is opportunity all around us every day to give of ourselves. We might have to put pleasure off for a little bit, but one day, we will reap the reward.

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Hurray for TV Preachers!

By Allen White

It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. Philippians 1:15-19

Have you ever visited a church and wanted to walk right out as soon as you walked in? Or, have you ever started to listen to a TV preacher, then quickly grabbed the remote and moved on? It just wasn’t your style.

I can’t explain the reasons behind what some churches do or what some TV preachers intend. Paul’s words point us toward a little more understanding. Paul didn’t agree with everyone’s methods or motives, but he did agree with the Good News. We can be thankful for those we agree with. We can also look for the similarities between us and those we disagree with. We can pray that God will use all of us to reach the world.

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When It All Settles Down, I Will...

By Allen White

 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

What would you feel like if you were in Paul’s situation? You’ve completely given your life to Christ. You have left behind your former way of life. You have supported yourself and traveled from place to place spreading the Good News, yet you are met with opposition more than acceptance. Now, you are imprisoned for doing what God has led you to do. How would you feel? Maybe resentful. Maybe confused. Possibly disillusioned. You’d think: “You know when I get out of here; I’m going to take some time to reevaluate my life’s path. When it all settles down, then I will see what God wants me to do.”

Paul didn’t have time for things to settle down. He knew that God called him to share Christ where Christ had never been preached. This was certainly one of those places.

What you’re in the middle of is exactly where God wants to use you. Do you see how God can use you where you are? If not, then today as you pray ask God to reveal that purpose to you.

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What If We Had Less Stuff?

By Allen White

Jesus tells us, “Only those who give away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” Mark 8:35 (LB).

The idea of sacrifice is somewhat foreign to American culture in many ways. In the Bible, sacrifices were given to atone for sin or to offer praise to God. The sacrifice was usually an animal. It was an all or nothing proposition. Just like a woman can’t be little bit pregnant. Well, a sacrifice can’t be a little bit committed.

Fortunately, Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system with His death at Calvary. Now, God calls us to be “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1-2).  We are to be fully committed. As Americans we live in abundance to the point of our detriment. Our stuff takes our money and our time. Our stuff not only takes today’s money, but also tomorrow’s money by way of our credit cards. Our sacrifices to the god of stuff don’t bring satisfaction, but bring bondage.

Should we get rid of all of our stuff? Maybe. Just imagine actually parking your car in your garage. Maybe your stuff could help the poor. Maybe less stuff would free you up. Maybe you’d even have time to talk to your neighbor.

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The Path of Least Resistance

By Allen White

People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.

The godly walk with integrity; blessed are their children who follow them. Proverbs 10:9 & 20:7

“The path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked.” I don’t remember who said that, but I do know its truth.

Some might look at these proverbs and get the impression that people with integrity think they are better than everyone else. The reality is, people with integrity are better than those who lack it, but that’s not a prideful thing to them.

What is integrity? Integrity is simply presenting yourself as you actually are. Now if you were truly honest about presenting yourself as you truly are, your reputation would certainly decline, but, boy, your integrity would go way up.

The great thing about being a genuine, honest person is that you are secure in who you are in Christ. You don’t need to pretend. Who you are is good enough because of who He is.

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Lessons from Captain Sully and Captain Phillips

By Allen White

So I am all the more anxious to send [Epaphroditus] back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him with Christian love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people, like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away. Philippians 2:28-30

Courage seems to be a rare, but much needed quality these days. We celebrate the courage of a pilot who carefully landed his ailing craft on the Hudson River. We honor the captain who willingly followed the demands of pirates and exchanged himself for the freedom of his crew. We are in awe of Navy Seals who took perfect aim on the rolling sea to liberate the boat captain. These men stand out for their calm under pressure.

Epaphroditus was a man like these. His resolve was to follow Christ regardless of the consequences. “He risked his life for the work of Christ.” Most of us will not face life-threatening circumstances regarding our faith. But, the question here is not only: “Would I die for Christ?” The other side of that coin is the question: “How will I live for Christ?” Both demand courage. Much of that courage is only as the Lord provides.

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What Determines Your Worth?

By Allen White

Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. Philippians 2:25-27

Men are competitive by nature. And, there is nothing wrong with goodhearted competition. Competition becomes a problem; however, when our wins determine our worth. If we are only as good as our last accomplishment, then we are just one failure away from worthlessness. God doesn’t see us that way.

Epaphroditus didn’t write any books of the Bible. In fact, he is only mentioned in two verses in the Bible: here and in Philippians 4:18. (Now, that’s two more verses than any of us—if you’re keeping score.) Epaphroditus’ role was to bring the Philippians’ gift to Paul and then update Paul on their situation. Paul regards him as a true brother, co-worker and fellow soldier. Epaphroditus nearly lost his life in the process.

A lot of people won’t even write down a message let alone risk life and limb for one. Commitment and cooperation far outrank competition. Focus on the first two C’s, then just compete for fun.

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Are You the Real Deal?

By Allen White

I plan (according to Jesus' plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I'm hoping and praying to be right on his heels. Philippians 2:19-24 (MSG)

How can you tell who is the “real deal”? It’s certainly easier to tell who’s not. Ever had a call from a long lost friend who has a tremendous business opportunity for you? It might seem that your potential investment is more important than your relationship.

In fact, when we meet someone like Timothy, it’s a little hard to believe. In this day and age to find someone who is genuinely interested in the welfare of others without regard to his or her own well-being is unfortunately rare.

Now that we’ve talked about everyone else, how about you? Are you the same on the outside as you are on the inside? What do you feel you need to hide from other people? Secrecy is a dark trap for the soul. What needs to come to light in your life today? To be genuinely weak is more powerful than pretending to be superficially strong.

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Freedom in Captivity

By Allen White

A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Acts 16:22-25

Paul had an interesting relationship with the Philippians. His encounters with them involved an odd combination of imprisonment and rejoicing. The Acts account captures Paul’s initial introduction to the citizens of Philippi. God enabled Paul and Silas to perform a miracle that raised a riot. The end result of following God’s will for them was being thrown into a dungeon. Without the distraction of cable television, Paul and Silas took to praying and singing hymns to God. Once the gospel performance was over and everyone had heard about Jesus for the first time, God arranged for their release by means of an earthquake.

Years later, as Paul sat imprisoned, he wrote a letter to the same group of people who had him thrown into prison way back when to thank them for their support and to encourage them to rejoice. What are you rejoicing over today? Freedom?

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You Don't Have to Work for a Gift

By Allen White

God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us Romans 5:5 (GN).

Spiritual growth is hard to measure. Is it how much I know? Is it how much I do? Is it what I think about? Often, I’m left feeling like I just don’t measure up. Then, trouble comes. When the pressure is on, I become more convinced than ever that I must not be “right with God.”

But look at the verse again. Does the verse say that I need to work harder at loving people or that I need to try harder to have God’s Spirit in my life? No, “God has poured His love in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift.” I don’t have to work for a gift.

Let’s get practical though: if all of this has already happened, then why don’t I feel more loving? God’s Spirit is present in my life, so can I just be open to the Spirit in order for God to work? If I am open, then the Spirit produces the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the Gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12 & Ephesians 4) in my life. I don’t need to work harder at being self-controlled or at being more discerning. I just need to be open to God’s Spirit. It’s God’s gift to you and me.

What do you need to invite God to do in your life today? What character quality is lacking? What growth needs to happen? Ask God to work in one specific area starting today, then watch what happens.

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Lessons from Gilligan's Island

By Allen White

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

What really matters? My bundled services went out a couple of days ago. Without phone, internet and cable, we began to feel like the castaways on Gilligan’s Island. Of course, we did have cell phones, so we could identify more closely with the Howells, I suppose. (Did you ever wonder why Thurston and Lovey brought so much luggage for a three-hour tour? I sometimes digress.)

Major setbacks often clarify what is truly important. Victims of fire or flood usually appear on the news saying, “Well, at least we have each other and that’s what is truly important.” We would certainly agree.

Paul tells us that what matters most is “righteous character.” If your character truly matters most, then what are you holding on to that hinders your character development? What could someone blame you for? How can you make that right?

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Band of Brothers

By Allen White

So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:7-8

Years ago, when I worked as a desk clerk, the hotel hosted a group of men who had served together in World War II. The veterans came from all over the country. What’s more, they only saw each other once a year. But, you never would have guessed it. In fact, from their interactions, it would have been easy to assume that they saw each other every day. They had been through the “Big War” together. They were bonded for life as a true band of brothers.

Paul felt this way about the Philippians. This church had supported him through hardship and had celebrated with him in victory. Paul loved them nearly as much as Jesus did. They had fought the good fight standing side-by-side.

Who are you standing beside? Maybe there’s a leader in your life who needs you to step in like Aaron and Hur who literally supported Moses (Exodus 17:12). How can you encourage someone today?

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An Epidemic of Growth

By Allen White

This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God’s holy people in Philippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:1-6

Southerners have a love/hate relationship with kudzu. What was introduced as an exotic Japanese wonder in 1876 was deemed a weed in 1972. It can grow a foot per day! In our family, kudzu is called “the ouchy plant.” I’m not sure if my children run into it or whether the kudzu grows around them as they play. There’s no stopping it. One herbicide even causes it to thrive!

The Gospel is a love relationship, but it is just as tenacious as “the vine that ate the South.” Once the Good News takes root in our hearts, it grows. Even when we doubt or stumble, God’s work continues in us. God isn’t finished with you. You might even grow “a foot a night,” if you make yourself available to Him.

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