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Philippians 2:14-16 A simple test of holding fast - Day 281

Dear friends,

Today was our last 6 hour day with our grandsons.  So I only had time to do one devotional to stay on pace.  One of the most significant tools God used in my live was the Navagators 2:7 discipleship program.  It is based on Colossians 2:7 and was a two year small group that emphasized personal quiet times, memorizing scripture.  They used "the topical memory system"  2 verses on a given topic and 6 topics within a group.  So I started this in the late 80's and was faithful for about 5 years.  However I stopped when I did just about all the verses in the system.  About 6 years ago, I discovered The Fighter Verses from John Piper's Desiring God ministry.  This is a 5 year program of topics but also extended passages.  I have been able to memorize 2 books (James and Philippians) and large sections of other books.  Just want to encourage you to give it a try.

Blessings,

Jeff

 I was memorizing this verse when I was volunteering at Wildwood Christian School.  Working with children for the first time in a long time, I was struck that there is a fair amount of grumbling and disputing when homework assignments were given and during the grading of homework, tests and quizzes.  And this at a Christian school.  

Observations:

Do all things - not some things, not just things at church, not just within your family.  All things.  Just like Jesus.  Going to the cross willingly for us.

Children of God are blameless and innocent if they do all things without grumbling or disputing.  Does that imply that my relationship with God is dependent on works and not on faith?  No!!! The only people who can do all things without grumbling or disputing are believers.  Paul is appealing to believers to act consistent with who they are in Christ.  If doing all things... came instantly after conversion, Paul would not have to urge the Philippians to do this.  Becoming Christlike is an a never ending battle in this life.

The fact that believers do this makes them shine as lights in a twisted and crooked generation.

These verses give an example of what working out faith with fear and trembling looks like.


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