Day 273 Bible Readings – Philippians 2: 1-4 (ESV)

Jeremiah 1, Jeremiah 2: 1-30, Philippians 1: 27-30, Philippians 2: 1-11, Psalm 145: 8-13

Philippians 2: 1-4 (ESV)

“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

In verses 3 and 4 from Philippians 2, Paul gives advice to the Church in Philippi on how to have unity. The first step is to never do anything because of “selfish ambition” or for your own desire or advancement. The second step is not do anything because of “conceit” or because you fell you so important that you think no one can do it better than you. The third and final step to have unity is always do everything with an attitude of humility where you act and behave like Jesus. Jesus by his actions always put the interests of others before his own desires. Jesus healed people wherever he went and treated each person with love and care. Paul then says to act not only with you own interests in mind, but to keep in mind the welfare of others.

Paul’s advice seems easy enough, but I know the hardest thing to stop is the “conceit” and “humility” part. We are taught in our modern culture to have “good self-esteem” and to take pride in everything we do. But I know that often my pride went to my head, and I started thinking I was better than everyone else because of all the work I was doing. God gave me this gift, and I needed to show it off and get recognition for it. With these kinds of thoughts in my head, I was no longer acting with humility, but with pride and ego. I was working for myself, and not for others and certainly not for God. When recognition came for my efforts, it felt empty and meaningless because my ego and my pride were never satisfied. Had I been working instead with God and others in mind, I would have felt more satisfaction and joy for just being able to contribute my gifts for the glory of God and to help others. So now I always check myself before I do anything – am I acting in selfish ambition and conceit? Or, am I acting with my own an other people’s best interests in mind?

Day 272 Bible Readings – Zephaniah 3: 9 (ESV)

Zephaniah 1-3, Philippians 1: 1-26, Psalm 145: 1-7

Zephaniah 3: 9 (ESV)

“For at that time I will change the speech of the peoples to a pure speech, that all of them may call upon the name of the Lord and serve him with one accord.”

When I read verse 9 from Zephaniah 3, I thought of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came up the followers of Jesus and everyone started speaking in tongues. After the day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ travelled all over the world to spread the message of Jesus Christ so the world could all serve God and be unified. The gift from the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues is considered by many Christians a personal way to talk to God. Speaking in tongues allows a person of faith to say to God what cannot be said in the person’s normal language.

When I received the gift of speaking in tongues, I have no idea what I am saying but I know that God understands me because all the thoughts of my mind go into my speech. I feel closer to God when I speak in tongues, because it is my own personal language to talk to God. I can pour out thoughts and emotions into my speech to God, that I would be embarrassed if anyone heard me in native tongue. I love that I have my own language to speak to God. It makes me feel closer to him because only he can understand what I am saying. But any gift of the Holy Spirit will bring you closer to God, if you embrace it and take fully advantage of the gift.

Day 271 Bible Readings – Ephesians 6: 10-11 (ESV)

Nahum 1-3, Ephesians 6, Psalm 144: 9-15

Ephesians 6: 10-11 (ESV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”

In verses 10 and 11 from Ephesians 6, Paul tells the Church of Ephesus to be strong and if needed to put on the armor of God to help stop from sinning and disobeying God. I like Paul’s advice. If we need help, why not think of our faith as an armor. If we feel we do not have the strength to face something going on in our lives, why not ask God to protect and help us by using our faith as armor.

We do not have to feel we are all alone in the world with no help. We have God to help and protect us. Our faith is like armor. It will protect us against sinning and repel all evils. If we need reminding of having God’s protection and help, we can read these verses to remind us that we are not alone. That God is always with us and will help and protect us.

Day 270 Bible Readings – Ephesians 5: 18-21 (ESV)

Isaiah 65: 17-25, Isaiah 66, Ephesians 5, Psalm 144: 1-8

Ephesians 5: 18-21 (ESV)

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

Verses 18 through 21 from Ephesians shows Paul telling the Church at Ephesus that they need to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul tells them to not get drunk with wine, but to live a Holy Spirit filled life that is characterized by the Holy Spirit and full of gratitude to God. Paul doesn’t say you can’t drink wine, but do not drink so much wine that you are drunk. Alcohol clouds the judgement, so his recommendation makes sense if you want to always be mindful of God’s laws in your behavior.

I think if you contrast the way you feel when you drink too much and when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you will see the difference. At least I do. That fun feeling you get by being buzzed is so short lived. When I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I experience the same level of fun and it feels like it can go for long periods of time feeling that amazing sense of joy. When I write about what I am grateful for in my life, I feel an immediate sense of wonder and amazement that God has been so good to me. And sharing my gratitude with my friends of faith makes the sensations last so much longer. I’ve had fun at alcohol filled parties, but I never experienced the same sense of joy that I felt when I am talking about God and my gratitude with my friends in faith. I’ll take a brunch with friends in faith any day over a crazy wild night party.