Fifty-two Weeks with Paul and the Philippians: A Roadmap to Joy and Unity in a World Filled with Disagreement and Division

By Paul A. Reid

This Bible study aid uses Paul's letter to the Philippian church to help Christians find joy and peace in a world filled with dissension, strife, and sadness. The apostle Paul provides a down-to-earth approach to heavenly things and helps us overcome negative influences by redirecting our minds to truth, nobility, purity, loveliness, excellence, and praise. The passage of almost two thousand years has made this New Testament Epistle's faith-building messages all the more relevant. There are 365 lessons inside this book, and they convert Philippians' 104 verses into a daily prescription for spiritual therapy. Paul the Apostle has much to say about a joy filled walk with and knowledge of Jesus. He can help us all find a path to contentment, whatever our situation.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 9, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891303683

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Fifty-two Weeks with Paul and the Philippians

A Roadmap to Joy and Unity in a World Filled with Disagreement and Division

Paul A. Reid

ISBN 979-8-89130-367-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89243-565-9 (hardcover)

ISBN 979-8-89130-368-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2024 by Paul Reid

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

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Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

In the pages that follow, you will learn how important my father and brother were to me. You may also get the sense that my relationship with my two grandfathers was special as well. All four were men to be admired, and I dedicate what follows to them and their legacy. How fortunate I am to have been close to such a quartet of Christian gentlemen. Their lives became a part of my character and my value system. Each provided what the apostle Paul wanted to give to the Philippians—an example worth following (Philippians 3:17). My chief concern in choosing this dedication is for the content of 52 Weeks with Paul and the Philippians to be worthy of them.

Preface

Week 1

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus write this letter to all the followers of Jesus at Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ. (The Message)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. (Proverbs 3:27)

Week 2

I thank God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. (NIV)

Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. (The Message)

Week 3

Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (The Message)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

Week 4

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. (NIV)

It's not at all fanciful of me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does! (The Message)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Week 5

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. (NIV)

So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary. (The Message)

Proverbs has a great deal to say about knowledge. Among those things is the presentation of a hierarchy of skills. That hierarchy ranks knowledge against wisdom and understanding. If there is a literal sequence to these three, each of them must be discrete and have a unique meaning. Let's look at two passages in Proverbs. The first is chapter 2, verses 19 and 20. The second is chapter 24, verses 3 and 4. They are taken from the NIV.By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge, the deeps were divided and the clouds let drop the snow.By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

Paul lets us know who owns this prayer. It is his, and the implication is that he has used it more than once and will continue to own it by praying it consistently. The Philippians have reason to believe he is praying it as each of them reads his Letter. Such a prayer is especially powerful because it has been refined and honed over time and because it is, in its own way, an unceasing appeal to God. The application for us is obvious and should cause us to take some action about our own prayers on behalf of others as they live out the Gospel. And if we decide to own our own prayer on behalf of the team, might it look like this?Dear God, help us to be good partners. Help us to base our relationship on wise thoughts and truth. Help us to be discerning and to rely on the Spirit for Your insights into our relationship. Help us to see each other as godly, righteous, and loving. Help us to encourage each other to act out our faith with purity. Help us to glorify You and Your Son in all we do. Help us to love each other as Christ loved us.

A friend loves at all times. (Proverbs 17:17a)

Week 6

[That you may be] filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. (NIV)

[That your life will be] bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of the intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. (The Message)

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless. (Proverbs 2:7)

Week 7

As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. (NIV)

All the soldiers here, and everyone else too, found out that I'm in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they've learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah. (The Message)

Paul is using some of chapter 1 of this Letter to the Philippians as a history lesson. It is a good reminder that the Bible claims to be a history book. If the events it describes never happened, we are wasting our time in our attempts to extract applications from those events. James Anderson, in his book What's Your Worldview?, outlines the importance of this fact when discussing non-Christian theist worldviews. His point is based on the presumption that Jesus lived. It's difficult for anyone—Christian, theist, atheist, deist, or whatever—to deny the fact of His life. According to Dr. Anderson, the issue needing a decision is, What do we do with Jesus? The Bible says Jesus was God and man. It also says He rose from the dead, and this power over death is evidence of humanity's future being dependent on this Jesus. In the face of a culture where these assertions are given absolutely no credibility, how can we live a life built on them and not stand out? How can we believe these unbelievable claims, and how should we live because they are true? Won't we be rejected in the same way the pronouncements are rejected? Absolutely. Paul was rejected by society and the government alike. He chose not to attempt to be discreet about his faith. He chose to stand up in the town square and shout it out. What will we do with this Jesus?When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.9

I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world. (Proverbs 8:30b–31)

Week 8

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of good will. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. (NIV)

It's true that some preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help." (The Message)

A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing. (Proverbs 13:17)

Week 9

The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (NIV)

The others, now that I am out of the picture, are greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them. So how am I to respond? I've already decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on. (The Message)

John Adams often wrote and spoke on matters related to the Constitution and its relationship to the people it helps govern. Two of his most famous quotations help us understand the meaning of the Constitution. They are the following:Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.Human passions unbridled by morality and religion…would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net.

Paul was confronted with more issues than chains and a prison and preachers who were detractors and adversaries as he wrote this Letter:He believed himself to be incapable of speaking with eloquence.10He was facing serious charges in the Roman courts. The three we are aware of were provoking riots, being a leader in the Christian movement, and profaning the Jewish temple. Paul declared himself innocent of every charge other than being a ringleader among the Christians. Nevertheless, the charges remained.He was at the mercy of donations from people he could not visit or call on. While he could have visitors in his rented home, his inability to be among the converted in Rome allowed him to be more easily ignored. You can imagine how much he appreciated the financial support he was given by the Philippians.He was afflicted with a thorn in the flesh.11 We are uncertain exactly what this was, but the effect was powerful, and dealing with it almost certainly led Paul to a greater reliance on the Holy Spirit. T. R. Applebury, my professor in New Testament Survey at Pacific Christian College, wrote the following in his commentary on the Corinthian Letters:Paul identifies this as a messenger of Satan to buffet him… It was in the flesh as a messenger of Satan and acted as an opponent… Whatever the thorn in the flesh was, it brought such distress to Paul that he asked the Lord three times that it might depart from him. The answer was, My grace is sufficient for you: for my power is made perfect in weakness.12

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3–4)

Week 10

Yes and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (NIV)

And I'm going to keep that celebration going on because I know how it is going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. 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. (The Message)

He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. (Proverbs 2:7–8)

Week 11

For me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet, what shall I choose? I do not know. (NIV)

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 Message)

Here is an extract of my journal from a recent trip my wife and I made to Rome. We were celebrating our fiftieth anniversary, and one of our key planned events was to visit some of the sites related to Paul's final years on earth. On a Monday, we visited the Roman Catholic Church built over the traditional site of Paul's in-house Roman imprisonment.When we returned to the church on Tuesday, it was closed. How fortunate we had been to enter yesterday and attend a portion of a mass. It was a good experience. Standing for the reading of the Gospel caused me to wonder if Paul would have been pleased. I decided he would have been more than pleased; I think he would have been moved and encouraged by the reading of Christ's words in this place. Yesterday, after we left the church, we walked to the Roman Forum area—just a few kilometers—where we hoped to find the Carcere Mamertino, the prison where historians assert both Paul and Peter were held before their executions. God was with us. We walked right to the building, and even though the website said it would be closed, it was open. We paid the 10€ (euro) each for the entry fee and were given an electronic tablet to help us understand the museum displays related to the excavations at the site. It was a very interesting part of the tour, but it was not why we had come. That happened when we were shown the steps down to where we might view the two levels below the museum's ground level. This area is what is believed (with some certainty for this site) to be death row for prisoners whose execution was imminent. Just as we were ready to go down the narrow steps (certainly not there in the AD 60s), the large group that had been in the lower chambers left. We were then alone in the room where Paul might well have spent his last days and hours. I had come with scriptures I hoped we might read silently, but because we were completely alone, we read aloud Paul's words:That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.One minute after we had read those few verses and made some silent prayer, we heard someone coming down the steps. We were so thankful for the solitude of the minutes we had. We then walked around the forum area and realized that within sight of the prison was the temple to the goddess Venus. A Roman ruler had built it believing this was a temple to one of his ancestors—in his own mind, he was a god of, course.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

Week 12

I am torn between the two: I desire to be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (NIV)

The desire to break camp here and to 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 it is better for me to stick it out here. (The Message)

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. (Proverbs 9:10–11)

Week 13

Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. (NIV)

So I plan to be around for awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other. (The Message)

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)

Week 14

Whatever happens, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. (NIV)

Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against; defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. (The Message)

This Christianity means everything to us. We are not living out a whim or a human philosophy. We are standing on the truth. Look at us and see it in action. These actions will lead us to victory. And no other belief, no other way of life will achieve that objective. If you wish to be a winner, you must do as we do, believe as we believe, live as we live.

The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)

Week 15

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. (NIV)

There is far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through. On which you are now getting an updated report in this letter. (The Message)

The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of man; it searches out his inmost being. (Proverbs 20:27)

Week 16

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (NIV)

If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep spirited friends." (The Message)

There is a certain poetry about the words in these two verses. The multiple references to the Christian life and the product of those references offer an opportunity for the writers of not just poetry but hymns as well. Filled with the Spirit's Power with One Accord is one of those. It was written by John Raphael Peacey. His life is an interesting saga of unity. He was an active participant in the cause to unify the Church of England and the Methodist Church. This Church of England hymn was one of five provided to the Methodist Church for inclusion in their hymnal. Peacey's wife remarked at the time how much this would have pleased her then deceased husband: He was so keen on reunion. John Wesley used these verses as inspiration for his hymn, Jesus Lord, We Look to Thee. The words of this hymn are more than 250 years old. Even with the change in word usage over time, they remain true to Paul's intended message of almost two thousand years ago, and they ring true in the twenty-first century.Make us of one heart and mind,courteous, pitiful, and kind,lowly, meek in thought and word,altogether, like our Lord.Let us for each other care,each other's burden bear;to thy church the pattern give,show how true believers live.

Healthy churches and healthy marriages have something in common. They are both vulnerable to neglect. The neglect we consider here is the need to actively work on our obedience as a tool to undergird this notion of unity. The moment we presume we no longer need to work on our unity is the moment our unity will begin to erode. What is interesting about this tendency is that the very work we perform out of obedience fosters joy and unity. These products of obedience can be seen in our congregation, our marriage, or any earthly endeavor.Consider it pure joy, my brothers when you face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2)Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2)They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust from their feet…and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:50–52)Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you. (Romans 16:19a)For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord. How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? (1 Thessalonians 3:8–9)

An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. (Proverbs 18:19)

Week 17

Do nothing out of vain ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interest of others. (NIV)

Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. (The Message)

Dorothy Wilson's book Lady Washington and Dr. Peter Lillback's book George Washington's Sacred Fire provide convincing evidence of the Christian faith held by America's initial first family. These biographies also provide a very personal view of the service commitment Mr. and Mrs. Washington made to the people in the country they served. For many years, my wife has looked to Martha Washington as an example of what the apostle is calling on the Philippians to do. Mrs. Washington had been widowed before she married George. She endured the pain of seeing both her children and her favorite sister die. She would have much preferred a quiet life at Mount Vernon, but she gave up her privacy when her husband was elected president of the United States. Once during his presidency, she had planned for them to have a few days at Mount Vernon, but President Washington had to cancel their plans due to the obligations of his office. Later, writing about it to a friend, she revealed her own commitment to others. No doubt her attitude was influenced by her daily devotions and Scripture reading. She said,"Though the General's feelings and my own were perfectly in union with respect to our predilection for private life, yet I cannot blame him for acting according to his ideas of duty in obeying the voice of his country. With respect to myself, I sometimes think the arrangement is not quite as it ought to have been: that I who had much rather be home, should occupy a place with which a great many younger and gayer women would be prodigiously pleased… I know too much of the vanity of human affairs to expect felicity from the splendid scenes of public life. I am still determined to be cheerful and to be happy in whatever situation I may be: for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not our circumstances.

History is a wonderful teacher because it brings to light the enduring truths of Scripture. In a presentation at the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies and Citizenship, Wilford M. McClay, a historian, reminded me of a real-life example of Paul's admonition to the Philippians. In his speech, he quoted Gen. Joshua L. Chamberlain, a hero of the Civil War's Battle of Gettysburg. The general's words provided a description of General Lee and his twenty-eight thousand men presenting themselves to surrender their arms and colors. Here are General Chamberlain's observations of the event:Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood: men whom neither toils and sufferings, nor the fact of death, nor disaster, nor hopelessness could bend from their resolve; standing before us now, thin, worn, and famished, but erect, and with eyes looking level into ours, waking memories that bound us together as no other bond; was not such a manhood to be welcomed back into a Union so tested and assured?… On our part not a sound of trumpet more, nor roll of drum; not a cheer, nor word nor whisper of vain-glorying, nor motion of man standing again at the order, but an awed stillness rather, and breath-holding, as if it were the passing of the dead!" (my emphasis).

Do not say to your neighbor, Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow—when you now have it with you. (Proverbs 3:28)

Week 18

Your attitude should be that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. (NIV)

Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. (The Message)

Years ago, when I left for college, my father gave me a valuable gift. By valuable, I mean two things. First, it was an expensive gift, which was unusual in our family, but more importantly, it was a tool directed toward my future. The gift was a set of cassette tapes sold by Earl Nightingale, a motivational speaker. Along the way to adulthood, Mr. Nightingale lived through some experiences that gave him insights into behaviors leading to a successful life. When he was twelve, his father abandoned his mother, and a few years later, while serving as a marine, Earl was on a ship in Pearl Harbor during the December 7, 1941, attack. After leaving the service, he began to work in the broadcasting industry, and radio appearances, combined with his writing, brought him notoriety. He created a host of motivational tools over his career, and my father believed the most important of them for me would be this multi-cassette set of tapes dealing with attitude. I can only suspect my dad believed I needed an attitude adjustment as I approached life away from home. Hindsight convinces me he was correct. I won't bore you with the lessons I gleaned during the hours I listened to those tapes other than to pass on the way they forced me to consider the power of my own attitude as I moved into adulthood and beyond. I am certain that attitude is more than just another buzzword. My inward character is not just a reflection of my attitude; it is my attitude. Here are a few of the Nightingale quotes for you to treat as nonbiblical proverbs:Our attitude towards others determines their attitude toward us.A great attitude is not the result of success; success is the result of a great attitude.You are responsible for how your life turns out, and your attitude shapes that life for better or worse.What's going on in the inside shows on the outside.You can control your attitude. Set it each morning.

And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:3–5)

Week 19

But made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on the cross! (NIV)

When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion. (The Message)

The phrase is divine abdication. It deals with the coexistence of humanity's finite free will and Christ's omnipotence. You can find it discussed in the C. S. Lewis's book The Efficacy of Prayer. The importance of the issue is based on whether our prayer relationship with God is built on this premise. In plain English, we relate to God differently if we truly believe we have a Father who is intentionally engaged with His creation. The contrast would be this: is mankind a participant in God's plan, or is mankind simply a spectator to a divine production? In noting this distinction, C. S. Lewis presents a critical contrast as the issue of divine abdication is defined. He, as well as I, believe we have the power through prayer to affect the course of events. Here are C. S. Lewis's words:For he seems to do nothing of Himself which he can possibly delegate to His creatures. He commands us to do blunderingly what He could do perfectly in the twinkling of an eye. He allows us to neglect what He would have us to do, or to fail. Perhaps we do not fully realize the problem, or so to call it, of enabling finite free wills to co-exist with Omnipotence. It seems to involve at every moment almost a sort of divine abdication. We are not mere recipients or spectators. We are either privileged to share in the game or compelled to collaborate in the work, to wield our little tridents.

Consider the following verses:Made in human likeness. (verse 7)For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.52

He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)

Week 20

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (NIV)

Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created things in heaven and on the earth—even those long dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Christ. (The Message)

Someone once asked me to consider what I would do if Christ walked down the aisle of a church sanctuary during a worship service. Would I stand up? Would I applaud? My questioner thought not. He predicted something entirely different by saying this: If a person truly recognizes who Jesus is when He appears, they will fall to their knees and bow down before him. Over the years, I have come to understand how right he was. And because of this understanding, I have come to see worship experiences in a different light. If worship takes me to the foot of the throne, my thoughts should replicate some sense or form of humbly bowing down before Him. We have looked to C. S. Lewis's book A Horse and His Boy before, but one more reference is called for here. Two of the book's main characters are Shasta and Aslan. Shasta is the boy character who is finding out who he is and what he is to become. Aslan is the Jesus representation that appears to Shasta, often in the form of a lion. For the first three-quarters of the book, Shasta has feared the appearing lion and run from it. But as the last quarter of the book begins, Shasta encounters the lion up close and personal. Here is what happens to Shasta:And of course he knew none of the true stories about Aslan, the great Lion, the son of the Emperor-over-the-sea, the King above all High Kings in Narnia. But after one glance at the Lion's face he slipped out of the saddle and fell at its feet. He couldn't say anything but then he didn't want to say anything, and he knew he needn't say anything.

Now then my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. (Proverbs 8:32–35)

Week 21

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. (NIV)

And call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father. What I'm getting at friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. (The Message)

Praise the Lord, all you nations;

extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,

and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.

Praise the Lord. (Psalm 117)

The name of Jesus will someday be on the lips of all creation. But if confessing Jesus as Lord is an eventual certainty, can we also conclude something about an expectation for public confession to be an element of our entering into and remaining a part of the family of God in the here and now? Romans 10:8–13 gives us some insight into the power and importance of confession by the faithful:The word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, Everyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Week 22

For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing. (NIV)

That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give Him the most pleasure. Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second guessing allowed! (The Message)

On a sultry, hot afternoon, while Jerry and his wife are visiting family in Coleman, Texas, the family members are playing dominoes on the front porch. Jerry's father-in-law suggests a trip to Abilene (53 miles to the north) for dinner.

Jerry's wife says, Sounds like a great idea.

Jerry, despite having reservations because the drive is long and hot, thinks that his preferences must be out of step with the group, so he says, Sounds good to me. I just hope your mother wants to go.

The mother-in-law then says, Of course I want to go. I haven't been to Abilene in a long time.

So, because of this spoken agreement, the trip is made in what I remember to be an older, unairconditioned sedan with all the windows down. (If you find the right version of the story, you will learn the brand of the sedan—but not from me.) It is a hot, dusty, and long trip. When they arrive at the cafeteria, the food is as bad as the drive. They get back home four hours later, hot and exhausted.

One of the family members dishonestly says, It was a great trip, wasn't it?

The mother-in-law says that, actually, she would rather have stayed home but went along since the others were so enthusiastic.

Jerry says, I wasn't delighted to be doing what we were doing. I only went to satisfy the rest of you.

His wife says, I just went along to keep you happy. I would have had to be crazy to want to go out in the heat like that.

The father-in-law then says that he only suggested it because he thought the others might be bored. The group sits back, perplexed that they, together, have decided to take a trip that none of them wanted. They each would have preferred to sit comfortably at home but did not admit to it when they still had time to enjoy the afternoon.

A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24)

Week 23

So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine as stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. (NIV)

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing. (The Message)

In part, these verses are predicated on an event yet to happen. Christ is coming back. They are also dependent on what has already taken place. Paul said we are among the greatest of fools were Christ's resurrection from the dead a hoax. Without that, there could be no hope for His return to earth, and all Paul is saying here is what we can take as a good philosophical approach to life. Should Christ's return be a hoax, the promises of the New Testament are empty. First Corinthians 15:20–28 clearly connects the raising of Christ from the dead with the ultimate reign of Christ, when everything will be put under His feet. Second Thessalonians 1:6–10 provides great comfort to those who suffer here in anticipation of that great event. Paul tells them that all will be made right in time.This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you because you believed our testimony to you.

Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; someone else, and not your own lips. (Proverbs 27:2)

Week 24

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me. (NIV)

Even if I am executed here and now, I'll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ's altar, a part of your rejoicing. Whatever you do, don't feel sorry for me. (The Message)

The car needs to be repaired. The laundry needs to be done. A difficult phone call needs to be made. An offensive text has just been received. The news speaks to another terror attack in a city I once visited and made friends with. The lawn needs to be mowed, and the gardens really need a good weeding. Our child is having trouble with math at school. What will we have for dinner? The world can keep us engaged in troubles, errands, issues, and failures. But only if we allow it to do so. Sometimes joy requires real effort, and often it requires the allocation of precious time. Rejoicing is no less powerful when we decide to stop the rat race while we consciously apply ourselves to savor the blessings of life. I sometimes think Henry Van Dyke decided we needed inspiration to help us rejoice in our lives rather than dread the moment. He provided that inspiration to many when he wrote Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. Here is the fourth verse of that 1907 hymn:Mortals, join the mighty chorus,Which the morning stars began;God's own love is reigning o'er us,Joining people hand in hand,Ever singing, march we onward,Victors in the midst of strife;Joyful music leads us sunwardIn the triumph song of life.

If anyone ever wondered whether Paul was serious about his stand for the Gospel, the words Even if I am executed here and now, I'll rejoice put any doubts to rest. Paul knows who the real God is. His firm stand reminds me of the account of Elijah on Mount Carmel.76 Elijah knew who God was, but earlier events had raised some doubts in the minds of others. They were counting on Baal to be their God. Elijah forces the issue by going before the people and saying, How long will you waiver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal is God, follow him. Such faith as held by Elijah knows the right option for the people to select, and he makes his position abundantly clear. Neither is there any equivocating by Paul in this Letter. He stands with Elijah, and yet so many proclaimed Christians today seem hesitant to stand up and speak the truth. There is just one God. There is just one Bible. There is just one church. There is just one path to reconciling God and man. That doesn't mean we have all the answers to all the questions life throws at us. Paul himself has admitted his indecision about whether it is better to stay or go to be with Christ. But because we know in whom we have believed, what some classify as the largest decisions of life are easier for us to make. A tombstone in England's Cheltenham churchyard reads:It is so soon that I am done for.I wonder what I was begun for.

I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. (Proverbs 8:30b–31)

Week 25

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes genuine interest in your welfare. (NIV)

I plan (according to Jesus' plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring 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. (The Message)

If you have not given a thorough study to the essay A Message to Garcia, I encourage you to do so. That's one of the things I suggest as a study supplement, but for our purposes, we'll use the narrative as an explanation of how Paul viewed Timothy and his willingness to consider sending Timothy to Philippi to carry out his personal wishes. The essay about Garcia is based on events that occurred during 1898 and the Spanish-American War. The president of the United States needed to get a message to Garcia, the leader of the insurgents in Cuba. On the surface, that sounds easy, but no one knew where Garcia was located within the vast mountainous areas of Cuba. Between the lines of the essay, you will conclude how difficult it was for the president to find someone to take on this task. But among the staff was one advisor who suggested that the president ask a man by the name of Rowan, an Army lieutenant, to act on his behalf. McKinley handed the letter to Rowan and dispatched him with the clear order to carry the message to Garcia. The author of the essay, Elbert Hubbard, makes a point of Rowan's response when he was given the charge. Rowan did not wait to be told where Garcia was, how he was to travel to find him, or what assistance he might have on the way. He simply accepted the task. Hubbard sums up the actions to complete the message's delivery in a paragraph I have memorized more than once:Rowan was sent for and given a letter to be delivered to Garcia. How the fellow by the name of Rowan took the letter, sealed it up in an oil-skin pouch, strapped it over his heart, in four days landed by night off the coast of Cuba from an open boat, disappeared into the jungle, and in three weeks came out on the other side of the Island, having traversed a hostile country on foot, and delivered his letter to Garcia, are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail.

The more we consider the power of having partners in our lives, the more we understand our need for those close relationships. In his book The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis included an essay entitled, Friendship. The essay was concerned with the death of Lewis's friend Charles Williams, also an author. Here is an extract from that essay:In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself, I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets… Friendship exhibits a glorious nearness by resemblance to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed (which no man can number) increase the fruition which each of us has of God… The more we thus share the Heavenly Bread between us, the more we shall have.

You will never be able to do that (know Jesus better) by yourself. You must be deeply involved in the church, in Christian community, with strong relationships of love and accountability. Only if you are part of a community of believers seeking to resemble, serve, and love Jesus will you ever get to know him and grow into his likeness.

Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. (Proverbs 25:25)

Week 26

For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. (NIV)

Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know for yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message. (The Message)

Let's admit it here. We all prioritize our life affairs. We categorize our needs and seek to meet the most important ones first. About eighty years ago, Abraham Maslow codified his beliefs about this process with a paradigm he described as a hierarchy of needs. He listed, in order of importance, what he had decided were the five basic human needs. This listing has been used by more than one social scientist to explain certain human behaviors. The hierarchy has been preached, taught, studied, maligned, and praised. You have probably seen them at least once before, but here is the listing. It is read from the bottom up, and it moves from the most concrete and basic to the more abstract.V. Self-Actualization (a sense of fulfillment)IV. Esteem (being valued by self and others)III. Love and Belonging (acceptance)II. SafetyI. Physiological (basic physical needs)

Last week, I mentioned we would pull one more thought from Timothy Keller's book The Prodigal God. Given that one of this week's themes is a focus on father-son relationships, using some thoughts drawn from what has been called the parable of the prodigal son can undoubtedly help us add to our understanding of the roles of a father, a son, and a brother. As a study supplement, I am recommending you get the book and read it cover to cover, but we're going to go straight to the chapter titled The True Elder Brother for an insight into what the abstraction sonhood implies. Here is the bottom line from Timothy Keller:Jesus drank the cup of eternal justice so that we may have the cup of the Father's joy. There was no other way for the heavenly Father to bring us in, except at the expense of our true elder brother.

The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. (Proverbs 23:24)

Week 27

I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon. (NIV)

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. (The Message)

Sometimes, a sideways glance into a person's conversations can yield some direct information about how they view the world and how best to interact with them. Paul is in a tough spot as he writes these encouraging words about the future. How he maintains a positive attitude and looks forward to the future explains a lot about how Paul views others going through difficult times. If his basic guideline about handling a crisis or an unexpectedly difficult time is to see the sunny side of that situation and look beyond it with anticipation, we can find a good reason to admire Timothy all the more. By his own attitudes, we more easily understand how Paul viewed individuals he had encountered when he thought they were giving up when they should have been looking up. The classic example of this is found in the fifteenth chapter of Acts. Beginning with verse 36, we read:Sometime later, Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.' Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Coming home, coming home, never more to roam.

Open wide Thine arms of love. Lord, I'm coming home.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

Week 28

But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker and fellow soldier, who