Encouragement

Encouragement

Like most of you, I hope, I have a few encouragers in my life. You know, those people who’s default modes are positive attitudes. They don’t even consider the half empty portion of the proverbial glass, highlighting and prognosticating extravagantly on the half full part. I am sometimes jarred by their perceptions and melancholy drops away in their presence. Thanks to you all. God bless you!

The Apostle Paul has just written a beautiful introduction (chapter one) to his letter to the Philippians. In it, he expresses his heartfelt gratitude for them, for their encouragement to him, and prayers for him. He has reminded them that the greatest encouragement they can give him is to work together in unity for the gospel of Christ, persevering in blessing and in suffering.

Now he begins what must be one of the most beautiful chapters in the New Testament.  He is about to lay a supernatural challenge before them: one that will require the help of God to succeed. First, however, he reminds them of a few potentially life-changing things:

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.  Philippians 2:1-2

Easily passed over as an hours devour before the main course, this preamble offers many layers of encouragement and comfort. Interstingly, several times he uses the word if in these conditional clauses. True to the content of the first chapter ( Paul knows that God will complete in the Philippians the good things he started) these ifs carry with them a positive assumption, as if to say: “If (and I know you do) you have any encouragement, etc.” Still, the inclusion of ifs leaves open the possibility of another choice. It is possible for people not to have these things.

And what things are these? At the top of the list is encouragement. The source of the encouragement Paul is talking about comes from being united with Christ. We are united with Christ by faith (same Greek word as trust) in him. He has accomplished for us what we could not accomplish on our own. He has fulfilled the righteousness of the law, he has built a bridge between our fallen states (all have fallen short of the glory of God) and made a way (the gift of God is salvation through faith in Christ). Romans 3;23 and 6:23

Being united with Christ also includes his work in sanctifying (setting us apart) and maturing us. It is this Paul spoke about when he said a Counselor, and Encourager must come. Here is a point at which the doctrine of the Trinity (which I do believe in) becomes a bit confusing. The Holy Spirit is not only the Holy Spirit of God, but also that of Christ. In 1:19, Paul alluded to the Spirit of Christ who has helped him in response to their prayers. They too can count on the presence of Jesus in them to encourage them and to assist them to do all that he is about to lay out before them.

We can be encouraged greatly by being united with Christ. He not only promises peace with God for eternity, but also strength and empowerment for today. Whatever God has laid before you today—blessing, suffering, tasks that are beyond your abilities—he will help you to do. The “all things” that we are able to do through Christ who strengthens us includes anything he asks you to do. Look to him, not the wind and the waves. Walk on water. Be encouraged. Christ is with you and in you. Press on!

 

Milestones: On the Road Home, 11/10/12 Book Signing

 

Hasting's Books in Montrose, CO is hosting a book signing for "Milestones: On the Road Home" Saturday afternoon (11/10/12) from 2-6 or as long as the books last. They sold out of their stock of Milestones this week BUT I have a stack on hand for the signing (and hopefully to replenish their stock).

Many of you have bought the book online, through other stores or from me directly. Even so, I would love to see you, to thank you in person, to hear how "Milestones" has touched you, and to answer any questions you might have. Montrose Hasting's is located on Townsend Avenue between Murdoch's and Office Depot, directly across from Russell Stover's. Here's the "nutshell" version:

Steve Warner, "Milestones: On the Road Home" Meet the Author, Book Signing Event!
When:	Saturday, November 10, 2012, 2:00 PM
Where:	Hasting's Books, 2201 S. Townsend Ave, Montrose, CO

An Unexpected Gift

As the holiday season grows near, thoughts of gifts begin to take center stage. Holiday gift giving is a tradition that persists, though it is sometimes questioned. A giver takes into account, or should, what is in the best interest of the receiver. As any parent knows, giving your children what is best for them is not always the same as giving them what they ask for.

As the first chapter of the book of Philippians draws to a close, Paul alludes to two gifts the church can expect from God. The first is a gift the church no doubt wanted: to believe (trust) in Jesus. The second, not so much—to suffer for him:

“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.” Philippians 1:29-30

In these two verses, Paul lays out the plain and simple truth of following Jesus. We are granted (by no personal merit) faith and suffering. The first we want and even request. Most of us would rather not acknowledge the second. Suffering, by definition, is not a whole lot of fun. Nor does a gospel that includes the certainty of suffering fill the pews or sell books necessarily.

Even the spiritual among us tend to think of suffering as a necessary evil, the results of living in a world broken since Eden’s disobedience. But to ever think of it as something God grants to us is rarer. Of course, there are different kinds of suffering for the believer in Christ. Some suffering is a part of the enormous domino effect of the Fall, when Adam and Eve brought brokenness into the world for the first time. Since then we have illness, catastrophes and myriad lesser annoyances that nevertheless bog us down and want to steal our joy.

 Paul here, I believe, speaks more specifically of suffering precisely because we follow Jesus. His own prison chains are the current suffering to which he alludes. Earlier in the chapter he has rejoiced in them and thanked God for them, because they had served to further the gospel of Christ. As a result of his chains, he asserted, the good news of Jesus spread throughout the whole palace guard (1:12-14).

I must admit, at best, I see my sufferings as things to be endured. While I am going through them, I am eager for them to pass. Paul, by contrast, is thankful for them even as he is in the midst of them. He sees the opportunities connected with his trials and is thankful (gulp) that God thinks enough of him to let him follow Jesus’ example in this way for the furtherance of the gospel. Just as Jesus humbled himself in the suffering that needed to occur for our salvation, Paul humbles himself for the sake of others who need to hear the grace and truth of Christ.

God, help me to reset my default mode from a self-centered one (I want to be comfortable again) to a Christ-centered one (use me in this for the sake of the Kingdom). And let me arrive there sooner rather than later. That my joy may be full, that it might spread to others, that your name will be glorified, Amen

 

 

Worthy

A really bad comedic movie from the 80s featured a couple of hapless guys who fawned over their hero, chanting, “I’m not worthy. I’m not worthy.” When it comes to being worthy of the love of God, of our place in his family and service in his Kingdom, let’s face it. We could all be chanting, “I’m not worthy!” Paul, the Apostle of grace, nevertheless encouraged the Philippians to conduct themselves in a worthy manner:

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves 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 by those who oppose you. Philippians 1:27-28a

The “whatever happens” phrase carries life and death import for Paul. He has just described the two possible paths he is facing: to live (opportunity to serve God and others); to die (to be with Jesus face to face). So his encouragement to the Philippians says something about its dearness to his heart.  His legacy, the torch he would pass, is their unity for the sake of the faith (trust in) the gospel. To Paul, of course, the gospel is not a set of homilies or rules to live by in order to be good enough for God—the gospel according to Paul is acknowledging that none of us is good enough, repenting of our old way of life, accepting the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, resulting in walking in newness of life. By his own example, this gospel is worth dying for. Everything else is trivia.

It is so easy for us to turn on one another when we are meant, as fellow believers and brothers and sisters in Christ, to have one another’s backs. Your fellow believer is not the enemy, though you will certainly differ in many preferences and probably even some doctrines. Jesus said the defining characteristic of his followers should be love. It is true that abounding love finds its roots in deep knowledge of the Word (and God’s heart). But knowledge without love is like a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal—so much noise.

Believers united in purpose (in spite of millions of less important differences) are an unstoppable force. Jesus said of such a church, that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. When the enemy can lob a grenade into the church and get us to throw one another onto it, he walks away smiling. When we love one another as Christ loves us, he quakes in his proverbial boots.

Come what may, let’s conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Let others know that we stand firm on one spirit, contending fearlessly as one man for the faith of the gospel.  In so doing we will be salt and light in a dark and tasteless world.  And Christ will be honored. Isn't that a worthy cause?

Infectious Joy

 

When was the last time you caused someone’s joy to overflow? Having just laid out the spectrum of possibilities (as the ultimate win-win situation) by the declaration that for him “to live is Christ; to die is gain,” Paul now assures the Philippian church that he expects to be with them for a while…for this very purpose:

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.  (Philippians 1:25-26)

Whatever attitudes we carry with us, whatever qualities we clothe ourselves in (Colossians 3), we infect others with them, for better or for worse. We are social by nature, and in our interactions with others we cause some kind of a ripple effect. We can stir waves of discontent and dissention, or we can cause ripples of joy—overflowing joy—in the lives of others.

Sometimes the thought of a joyous person conjures images of a beaming face, always smiling from ear to ear, exuding positive affirmations morning to night. Somehow, this image does not match up with serious minded Paul. He was rooted in truths, even the uncomfortable ones, and he apparently had no trouble speaking these truths (in love). And yet, he could comfortably say that he expected his presence to cause their joy to overflow! This causes us some confusion because of our misunderstandings about joy. It is not necessarily always an emotional state (as is happiness). Like love, joy is not always a feeling, but finds its firm foundation in what we truly believe. And here is where Paul excelled. He was (and is) the master of reminding us of the true source of enduring, overflowing joy.

By keeping a God’s eye view of things, even uncomfortable circumstances and disappointing interpersonal encounters, he was able to hold steady. By sharing this perspective with others, he was able to infect them with this joy—to overflowing. Paul knew, and wanted the Philippians to know, that in Christ, we are secure. There are no bad outcomes. Whether we are in prison or free, rich or poor, hungry or fed, live or die, Jesus has our backs. We are his and he is ours. God loves us with an everlasting love. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Our present sufferings are less than a blip on the radar screen of eternity, if we are united to Christ by faith. Such perspectives are reality. Our current circumstances, whether good or bad, are only temporary. What lasts is the mansion just over the hilltop, an abode that overflows with joy and happiness—forever.

Our attitudes and perspectives affect the way we feel about, and deal with, the things and people we encounter in our lives. They also affect those around us. As you go out into the world, as you deal with those in your own household or church, how about considering ways to infect them with joy?

 

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. (John 14:1-3)

 

Winning

Countless hours in my counseling office involve hearing couples out as they engage in the importance of winning. Initially, each is convinced he or she is “right” and invest their energies in proving their case. Like two attorneys before a judge, they present their cases and await a verdict. At some point, I pose the question: are they competing opponents or a team, equally yoked and motivated to win together? Winning together as a couple presents the “new” dynamic of the win-win.  If they can let go of being right, if they can see the other’s point of view, if they can compromise and give a little so that the needs of their partner are met, they both win.

Many times, individuals come into my office, frozen with indecision. If they have been depressed and or anxious for a while, they gaze at two paths, immobilized by fear of what appear to be inevitably dark outcomes. After they feel heard and understood, the question is presented: what if the situations really offer a win-win potential?  What good can come from the decision options? Sometimes this shift in perspective unfreezes people and they are able to move forward with hope.

The Apostle Paul, in the first chapter of Philippians, presents another kind of win-win scenario, in the extreme! He looks at the possibilities before him, life and death, and sees their win-win potential:

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! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is s more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:21-24)

Once again, the Spirit-transformed heart of Paul pours forth wisdom rooted in agape love. On the one hand, his love for Christ draws him in the direction of yearning to die and go to be with him. On the other hand, he sees the need of those in the church at Philippi and is motivated to see them through to maturity. While he clearly prefers to be with Jesus face to face, his love for Jesus and for the Philippians motivates him equally to stay in the world in order to minister to them. Die and be with Jesus, or live and engage in fruitful labor—a fairly ultimate win-win scenario.

By contrast we focus on winning our arguments with one another  and beating one another out in business or even ministry. We see winning as a selfish motivator: I want to win. When we grow to see through our Father’s eyes, when we serve with the hands of the Son, when we share the yearnings of the Holy Spirit, we will be motivated to finish strong, yes, but not alone. We will bring others with us to cross the finish line together. When we do, we will win together. And that’s a win-win outcome!

New Book Release: Milestones: On the Road Home, Steve Warner

For those of you who follow "grace and truth" but not my facebook, twitter or author accounts, I want to be sure you know that my book, Milestones: On the Road Home is now available in online stores worldwide, and through your local bookstore. You can find out more about Milestones by clicking on the picture of it in the column to the right. Here are a couple of helpful links to check out prices:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=milestones+steve+warner

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/milestones-steve-warner/1113123197?ean=9781449763381

http://www.bookfinder4u.com/IsbnSearch.aspx?isbn=1449763375&mode=direct

It is available in e-books of all kinds, paperback and softcover. Prices range from under $4 (e-books) to around $15 (paperback) to about $25 (hardcover with dust jacket.) Some stores offer free shipping as well. Your local bookstore can order it as another option.

Thanks for your loyal readership since 2010. Already the book is opening up some of the most beloved messages of "grace and truth" to a whole new audience. Savor the journey and bring someone along!