Relationships in the Journey

Prepare: "Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another", Eph 5:21
Read: Colossians 3:18-4:1

Life is a journey. Broken relationships take away the joy. Satan constantly wants to take the upper hand in our home and work place, thereby causing strain.

In the family: Courtesy disappears and respect is put aside at home among family members because we take relationships for granted. Paul gives a chain of commands, not just advice, to uplift our families. A wife has to submit to her husband for two reasons. One, man was created first and then woman for him (1 Tim.2:13). Two, in the God-head, Christ submits to the Father (1 Cor.11:3). Submission is not subordination. A husband should not take advantage of his submissive wife. He cannot be a dictator or a demanding master. He has to love his wife as Christ loved the church (Eph 5:25). Disobedience to parents is viewed as rebellion against God (Ex.21:17). Children have to follow the example of Jesus (Lk 2:51). It is not difficult for children to obey their fathers who reflect the character of the heavenly Father.

At work: Very rarely we hear sermons on our relationship at the work spot. For Paul it is important we spend most of the waking hours of the day there. The underlying principle is that we have to please God. Our work should be carried out with an awareness that we arr working for the Lord. This attitude would make work pleasant and also enhance the dignity of labour. Masters should reflect God's character of fairness and respect.

Respond: "Lord, mend today my relationships at home and at work place". Amen.

Christ the Very God

Prepare: I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Read: Colossians 1: 15-20

Depending too much on human beings is denying the involvement of Christ in our lives. "He is the rock of our lives upon which we stand, the fountain from which we draw, the treasury in whom we find every kind of spiritual blessing. God's fullness resides in Him.

Christ created us for Him: God's purposes are good for us (Jer 29:11). They may not be easy to accomplish without His help.He invites us to join Him to be part of His cosmic plan. Deep satisfaction is the result of this partnership. No other power can stop His purposes from fulfillment.

Christ rules everything together: Often we fail to align ourselves to God's purposes for various reasons. Satan works to draw us away from God and frustrates us. We may be broken, shattered and discouraged. But Christ brings everything together to bring the best out of us and to fulfill God's purposes in us (Rom 8:28).

Christ in the church: Church is the primary agent God uses to fulfill His purposes. On the basis of His redemption, we have become members of His church. He is the head and all the members have equal share in understanding and fulfilling God's purposes. As believers, we draw grace and power from Christ for our victorious life on the earth.

Respond: Christ, I thank You because You have made Yourself available to me. Amen. 

Peace of God

Prepare: We can never stand aloof when church unity suffers.
Read: Philippians 4:1-9

I. A need for peace: There was a situation in the church that was disrupting the peace. So Paul begins with this appeal: "Stand firm". It is a call to unity, for, only a united Church can appeal to a lost world. It is only from a position of peace that the Church can preach peace. In the issue that divided the Church, Paul does not wish to take sides. Rather, he asks those  involved to take the initiative to confess, forgive and be reconciled. For that is the way of Christ. When conflicts arise (and they will), the mature must be "true yoke-fellows". Jesus called us to be "peace makers" (Heb 12:14).

II. Two promises: The first concerns "the peace of God which passes all understanding". There is nothing mysterious about His peace; rather, people will not be able to explain away this peace because it is 'supernatural'. Second, "God's peace will guard us". This is because of the presence of the God of Peace, who comes to be our companion. The God of Peace, who made peace with us sinners, keeps us in His peace. But the promises of God's peace are dependent on :

III. God's laws: Paul shares four spiritual laws:
1. Rejoice always
2. Pray with Thanksgiving
3. Fill your mind with what is excellent
4. Submit to God's Word

As you meditate on each of these, ask : "Do I have peace?"

Respond: In a world of unrest and disunity, May I know Your peace, O God.

God is at Work

Prepare: The word of Life imparts life.
Read: Philippians 2:12-18

The central point of the Christological hymn in 2:5-11 was Christ's obedience and humility. Paul now applies that searching example to the life of the Christian. Herein, is a blend of what we have to do and of what God is doing.

I. The directives: First, "As of have always obeyed". It was their obedience to the Gospel that brought the Church into being. They were now called upon to show that same submission to God - to be like the Lord Jesus Christ who was obedient to His Father. Paul exhorts "work out your own salvation", because God is at work in you. Nothing can stop Him. So we must do our part too! Specifically, Paul says "without grumbling or questioning", "be blameless and innocent". God's people must be above reproach in conduct and character. Then he refers in verse 15-16, to "shine as lights" and "hold fast the Word of Life", an outward display which comes from a transformed inner nature.

II. The incentives: Paul uses two images to describe his life: 1. A runner, "I did not run in vain" and 2. A weaver, "I did not labour in vain". His words show his sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. That's why verse 17-18 present a memorable picture of joy as he sees his life blood being poured out as a sacrifice pleasing  and acceptable to God. Paul lived to serve his Master and to receive His "well done".

Respond: Lord, enable Your Church to walk straight in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.

Suffering as Preparation for Service

Prepare: Our suffering for Christ's sake really advances the gospel.
Read: Philippians 1:12-18

These verses are a window into Paul's mind. This also gives us an example of true Christian living.

I. Past pain prepares us for ministry: "These things that happened" to Paul in the past, only helped thprogress of the Gospel. The "things" Paul is referring to are all his sufferings. (Ref. II Cor 11:23-29). Bur Paul saw his pain and suffering as those things which helped to advance the Gospel. If we will allow God to work in our lives, our suffering too can prepare us to serve others more effectivively.

II. Present restrictions can be a platform for ministry: When Paul looks at his present imprisonment, he sees hi bonds as a means for Christ to be made known. First, the Praetorian guard, an elite Roman troup, who were sent to guard prisoners like Paul were hearing the gospel. Second, many Christians took the issue of Paul imprisonment as an opportunity to speak out. They were infused with new courage and boldnes. Third some in the church attacked Paul out of jealousy and personal animosity, even this, Paul says, is for the good of the Gospel. Here, Paul's maturity shines out. Paul knows differences will exist in the body of Christ. But no matter what, whether in pretense or truth, Christ was being proclaimed. For us too, the proclamaton of the Gospel and the advancemet of His kingdom

Respond: Lord I pray that my suffering for You and the gospel would neither deter me nor make me bitter or judgmental.

Abigail's Intercession

Prepare: Have you encouraged your spouse or family member or someone into godliness, love and faith? Have you compensated, apologized for their mistakes?
Read: 1 Samuel 25:14-31

Sarah was initially weak in faith, but Abraham moved forward and Sarah also rose in faith and both of them inherited the promise of God. Elkanah stood by his wife Hannah in her journey of faith. The wise servants who stood by Namaan encouraged him to obey the prophet and but for those servants, Namaan could have returned in anger, as a leper. Jethro, Moses' father-in-law gave Moses timely advice to delegate his work to leaders of ten, fifty and hundred. When Moses followed the advice, his burden was lightened.

No one lives alone. God has given us spouses, family members and friends to stand by each other in moments of crisis. No one is perfect. God has given strengths to everyone so that we could complement the weakness of others. Sometimes we are to apologize on behalf of someone, some family, some church or society. When Graham Staines was martyred, some men of God pleaded for pardon in prayer on behalf of our land that shed the blood of His saints.

Abigail did not support her husband in his evil. She apologized on his behalf and made peace with David. Abigail is an industrious and shrewd woman whose efforts saved her, her husband and her household from utter destruction. But God's punishment comes on Nabal and he dies within a short time.

Respond: Lord, May I strengthen and edify others. May I be an Apostle of Peace, of consolation and reconciliation.

Rare Comradeship

Prepare: Have people hated you without a cause? How have you reacted?
Read: 1 Samuel 20: 1-23

A little boy threw stones at a man on the street and called him names because he had an ugly face. Later the same man walked into his house. The mother told the boy, "Many years ago, he was the one who rushed into our burning house and rescued you. His face was badly burnt in the process and that is why he looks so ugly". People can hate you:

1. With a cause.When you do wrong, when you hurt people knowingly or unknowingly, or because of your failures, people can rightfully hate you. Never let yourself be found in this position.

2. Without cause. Because of sheer jealousy [as in the case of David] people can hate you or because you are more talented or they feel you could compete with them.

3. Because of the cross: The fact that you are a Christian, a child of God, can make you an enemy of the Devil, his kingdom and his people.

The solution: If you are wrong, set yourself right before God and man. Otherwise love everyone, forgive everyone, bless every one, look to God and move on. Let not the hatred of people make you forget the love and acceptance that Jesus has offered to you. Never indulge in self pity. He will fight for you, deliver you and honour you.

Respond: Make me a channel of Your peace. Where there is hatred let me bring Your Love...