What Could I Possibly Have To Complain About?

Philippians 2

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16a Hold firmly to the word of life...

So much easier said than done. I am working each day to be more humble, and to eliminate the tendency to complain from my life. I seriously have no right to complain. I have my salvation in Christ. I am married to Peggy Ruth Dixon Blount. We have four wonderful children who love and serve the Lord. I work as an associate minister at Vero Christian Church. I am the MOST BLESSED MAN on this planet. My struggle is to hold firmly to the Word of Life, but getting in the Word every day helps tremendously in that regard. Thank You, Jesus, for being the Wonderful Counselor, the Prince of Peace, the Perfect Example, and the Lover of my soul! May Your light shine brightly in me and through me every day.

Nothing Else Matters

Philippians 1

20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.

As I begin a week of wrestling with the concept of dying daily to self, I am so glad to read this passage. Paul exemplifies what it means to daily die to self. I want to have the same attitude that he has as he writes to the church at Philippi. May I live for Christ this day, may nothing else matter!

Strong in the Lord

Ephesians 5

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

How do you stay strong in the Lord? Paul goes on to lay out the plan:

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Lord, strengthen me today to stand firm and strong for You.

Pleasing Aroma

Ephesians 5

1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Wow, do I have a long way to go in this regard. It is my goal to literally be able to say, “follow me, as I follow Christ.” I know that in order to say that with any integrity whatsoever, I need to do a better job of following Christ. May my life be filled with the love of Christ for everyone, and may I live so that I am a pleasing aroma to God.

Getting Better All the Time

Ephesians 4

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

“Me used to be angry young man, hiding me head in the sand. You gave me the word, I finally heard. I’m doing the best that I can.” Lyrics from an old Beatles’ tune that best describe my journey with Jesus in regards to what Paul addresses here. While I still have a long way to go, I have to admit its getting better, its getting better all the time!

What Unity?

Ephesians 4

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

Again, Paul talks about the need for Christians to be humble and gentle; to be patient with one another making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love. Again, I think about how Brent Baker is being treated by a supposed “Christian Brother.” It is no wonder that there is nothing close to unity going on up there.

Purpose

Ephesians 3

8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s purpose for the church and through the church is laid out here. The church (the “called out ones”) is designed to display the wisdom of God by spreading the Good News about Jesus to EVERYONE. Since I am part of the church, that is MY PURPOSE, too!