Circumstances change...but Christ doesn't

Philippians 1: 3-6 “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy (emphasis mine) 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.”

The one thing I love about the book of Philippians is it reminds me that I can be full of joy no matter what circumstance I find myself waist-high in. Paul wrote the book of Philippians while sitting in a prison cell in Rome, yet when he addresses the church at Philippi he said he is joyful… full of joy as a matter of fact.

I don’t know about you but if I were sitting in a jail cell…I would probably be more miserable than full of joy. But in this letter, Paul wanted to encourage the Philippians that they could have joy no matter what circumstance they faced. Why is this you ask? Because joy does come from outward circumstances…it comes from knowing Christ and depending on his strength rather than our own. Paul’s example here in the first chapter of Philippians is a great example of his dependence on Christ in every situation he faced. He kept his eyes on Jesus and was full of joy in the midst of very trying times.

Let’s take a look at another example from the Bible where looking at circumstances came into play. It was the night Jesus walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33). In these verses, we see the disciples in a boat in the middle of a raging storm. They were afraid at first because they thought he was a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid “Take heart; it is I”. Peter asked Jesus if he could join him out on the water and Jesus said “Come.” So Peter throws his leg over the side of the boat and out he goes. On to the raging sea towards Jesus, he doesn’t see the “circumstances” around him…his focus was centered on Jesus. But wait there’s more…in an instant Peter notices the waves around him. He has taken his eyes off the One who is giving him strength to do what he set out to do…and down he goes. “Lord, Save me!” Peter cried. Without hesitation Jesus scoops Peter up.

Throughout our lives our circumstances will change. It is up to us to choose how we are going to let each situation affect us. Am I going to run and hide when things get tough or will I choose to, with joy and thanksgiving, look to the One who is steady and unchanging? 

Today I choose to look to Jesus to see me through whatever this world has to throw at me.  I know for a fact He won’t let me fall because His word promises He will never leave me or forsake me. (Deut. 31:6)

What about you? How will you choose to react to what is happening in your life? Will  you wallow in your circumstances or are will you depend on Christ to fill you with his strength and joy?

Lessons from a "Chick-Lit" book

Psalm 103:1-5 (NCV) "All that I am, praise the Lord; everything in me, praise his holy name. My whole being, praise the Lord  and do not forget all his kindnesses. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy. He satisfies me with good things  and makes me young again, like the eagle."

 I landed on Psalm 103 in my quiet moments with Jesus, it's rather odd how I got there but nonetheless, God does give us what we need when we need it. This Psalm showed up in the book I was reading last night about a Chicago woman who had been away from the Lord for some time. In the book, she attends a church service at a homeless shelter and Psalm 103 was the introductory Psalm read. Now, my book didn’t go into the entire Psalm for its purposes it only needed the first two verses… but that was all I needed this morning to flip there and begin to read. The first verse of Psalm 103 starts with “My whole being praise the Lord; all my being, praise his Holy name.” David continues in verse two with “my whole being, Praise the Lord and do not forget all his kindnesses.”

WOW! Did you catch that? Three times in two verses David encourages us to praise God with everything we have; our lives and the way we live, the way we conduct business, the way we talk to our the people closest to us, the way we are when no one is looking. In all things bring praise to God.

In verses three and four, David writes  “He (God) forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He (God) saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy.” Cool! We all know God will forgive our sins if we repent of them. That’s what His word promises. But I want to camp out just a minute on the part of this verse that says “he heals all my diseases.”

When you think about diseases – what do you think about? I know for me, I think about cancer or heart disease. Maybe there is some other disease you think of when you hear the word… disease. But have you ever thought about the other “diseases” in our lives that need healing? You know… those diseases like anger, bitterness, unforgiveness, rejection, grief, denial, rebellion… and the list goes on.

So again, the question becomes what diseases in your life are holding you back from living the life God has planned for you? God desires for you to live a life of prosperity and peace.

Draw on God’s love, grace and mercy. Spend some time looking at those things in your life that hold you back, and then seek God’s strength and forgiveness. You're not going to be able to stand in your own strength. It's time to repent of those things that hinder our relationship with Christ and draw on his love, mercy and grace to STAND FIRM and be renewed and transformed.

How can I find joy in the midst of tough circumstances?

Start with PRAISE!!!

Psalm 150: 6 (NIV) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

This morning while I was spending quiet moments with the Lord, I thought about my friend who has had 7 surgeries on her vocal chords to repair damage incurred from her bout with throat cancer. She is a gifted worship leader and vocalist at my church.  

I have often  tried to put myself in her shoes as I thought about how I would react to circumstances she has had to walk through as a result of cancer. I might question “why” especially when God has gifted me (actually her) with a voice that leads and encourages people to praise and worship Him.  But she doesn’t ask “why”; she praises God because she understands who He is and she knows, beyond a shadow of a doubt, God has a plan and a purpose for her life.

I have learned a great deal about praising God in all circumstances from my friend. I have also experienced first-hand the unexplainable joy that comes when we praise God for who He is and the things He’s done.  My friend is a great example of joy-filled praise in every circumstance.   Her love for the Lord shines through in everything she does and I believe it’s because she understands the benefits we receive when we praise God.

Benefit: Strength

In Exodus 15: 1-21 I am reminded of the importance of praise. In these verses we read about Moses’ song of victory and praise after God led Israel of Egypt and saved them by parting the Red Sea.

Exodus 15:2 (NCV) The Lord gives me strength and makes me sing; he has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him.”

Just like this verse in Exodus, my friend receives strength from God to face her circumstance head-on when she sings praises to Him.

Benefit: Focused attention on God

In 1 Chronicles (15 – 16) we read the story of the Israelites carrying the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. In preparation for the journey, “David commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their kindred as singers” (1 Chronicles 15: 16) to lead the procession with songs of praise.

Music and singing (praising God) were a cherished part of Israel’s culture. Praising God helps us focus our attention on God and not the “stuff” we all go through. Singing songs of praise proclaim God’s greatness by giving Him the glory no matter the out-come of our circumstance.

After each surgery, my friend wasn't able to sing for a few weeks… but this didn't stop her from praising God. She praised God with all her heart through her attitude and her life.