Helenmm

Rejoicing in the Lord is an action accompanied by feeling. I think the will is the first operative. We do it as commanded, knowing the benefits. If the feelings are not there originally, they do arrive when we are in the act of rejoicing. In thanksgiving and rejoicing we come into contact with our God. If I don't feel like it I remember that my feelings are useful information to me but are not my motivating and driving force. My will has that position in my life. And my will is submitted to God. The effect of rejoicing is coming again in touch with Elohim, the Eternal, the Omega and the Alpha, the Christ. The effect is to be swept away into the heavenlies whence we operate on this earth. The effect is to remember who we are in the Blood of the Redeemer. Our mood is transformed into His likeness!

God commanded the old testament patriarchs to tell their stories to the children in their houses constantly so the children would now who they are, and what the traditions of their ancestors require of them as citizens of the promised land. I believe this constant reaffirming of their citizenship established their paths as distinctly Hebrew people, the people of God. When this constant teaching stopped at the top level (among the kings) the whole country fell into idolatry, lost wars, experienced disasters etc. So with us, we are to constantly affirm our citizenship in Heaven with the stories of Jesus and scripture, lest we fall into the ways of the world. We must be aware always of who we are in relation to God in order to maintain our role as a priesthood to the nations. This constant reaffirming who we are in Christ clarifies our role in this earth and sets it before us clearly. We walk here but are citizens of another country, with all its traditions of being etc. I think we can have various temporal patriotisms, eg to our denomination, to protestantism, to charismatic churches, even to the democratic system of government. These all seem to make very good sense to us and save us the trouble of seeing as God sees. But, as I learned today, we are to have no opinion save the opinion of Jesus (which mostly we do not know as He sees the bigger picture.) We are "Heavenly men and women" and operate in the love of Jesus Christ for every man, wherever he is and whatever his particular path to Jesus..

1. Paul has imitated others as he has developed his Christian life. In particular he has imitated Jesus Christ. When he was first called and led blind to the house of Ananias, he stood totally paralysed in his spiritual walk, knowing NOTHING!. He received the love and ministrations of those for whom he had intended death. He spent days with the disciples at Damascus, LEARNING. LEARNING. LEARNING.... This, of course, was followed by his time in the desert with God. There was much to imitate, including love for your enemies! This continued until Paul himself became a mature followr of Jesus, and I believe, longer, as he saw their invincible faith. 2. We have a lot of questions as to our suitability for imitation - in other words our development as Christians. I think our society tends to grow twofaced Christians and we often have some guilt in this regard. If we have guilt on our consciences about our true devotion to Jesus we will not ask others to imitate us. Paul was sure of his relationship with Jesus after many years of persistent seeking Him, and wanted to share the results with others, wanted to fellowship with others in this regard. 3. It is very difficult to learn new behaviours if we cannot see them in other people. We learn mostly by imitation, initially when we are little children in the physical, and secondly when we are little children in Christ. This is the reason why hospitality is so vitally valuable. We ned to see great Christians in their own homes living wonderfully and victoriously in their families. These are the people chosen for elderships by Timothy under Pauls instruction, and this is the way new Christians can best learn new styles. Hospitality is the greatest way to encourage and build new Christians. 4. Those who love coming to my house are most likely to imitate me.

1. Heartwarming, hopeful, peaceful, deep joy, a sense of privilege, futuristic.... 2. Inthe Spirit once, I was taken by Jesus, my bridegroom, past a house with kennels for dogs (this looked good to me but didn't please Jesus and had to be left behind) to a very plain and ordinary hotel near a beach where we would meet at any time I wanted between doing my thing with friends on the beach. I was told that although it was very ordinary, it was only temporary, and later there would be a beautiful palace for our meeting and living. I always loved returning to the hotel to be with my beloved. 3. If we do not "return to the hotel" we could become lost with the friends inthe world. 4. Never miss out on the rendezvous at the "hotel". There one's heart willbe continualy warmed, taught, loved truly. There one's knowledge will grow past the things of this world into the eternal. There one's desires for Truth and the beloved will be refreshed and become powerful, and one's heart tuned to the almighty, eternal Jehovah. 5. It's the call to the eternal, the Truth, to Love, to action, to fruitfulness, to specific purpose that Father has for each one, - the SPECIFIC WORKS that God has prepared for us to walk in, to the walk through the Valley of the shadow of death(which this earth has become for so many people) with Jesus Christ, conformed to His death, in the fellowship of His sufferings, and in the power of His resurrection.

To "know" Christ, in the biblical sense, is to have intimacy as in a marriage, knowing one another in the day to day movements, conversation, caring, touching etc. This can only come after faith which is birthed on one's first confession. To know Christ is the potential of being born again - it's what we are born again for! Faith and personal relationship are like two sides of one coin and can't be separated. Where am I? Even after all these years I think I am just beginning. It's a case of the more I draw close, the more I need to draw closer. There is so much in the Godhead, and one day we shall know as also we are known. Imagine that!

Righteousness by faith is something done by the heart, with swift, quick obedience, the motivation being love, where righteousness by the law is something achieved(?) by the mind calculated to impress, with a motivation something like self-aggrandisement. 2. I think righteousness by legalistic observance produces a lot of criticism of each other's shortcomings. There is a sorting out of the sheep and the goats, with many goats leaving unsatisfied, while the sheep rejoice in the beauty of God. Legalism creates disunity, while faith (heavily bound up in love) creates unity and joy. Society seems to view the Christian life from a legalistic point of view and concerns itself with the things Christians do not do or have. Society has not the understanding of the value of the word of God and His law as the word of love, reality and abundant life. Educated Western society seems to pride itself on its cynicism, ability to find fault with..., stand offishness, independent thought, and material ownership. Non of these enable heartfelt response to the deep truth of the Word of God. We have argued ourselves into a corner and its difficult to find the way out. We determine that truth is relative and therefore can't respond to it - can't even recognise it. We've build our little empires and defend them at all costs. To know Truth we have to put all these things aside because they colour our viewpoint and make it difficult to see clearly. We need to divest of these things and have our eyes opened.

I suspect there are a thousand answers to the first question. I see many peole so intent on their "healing" that they are completely self focussed, do not "prefer one another", demand all the attention of the pastors and anyone else they can rope in, and are completely unable to empathise with another's perspective. Secondly, everyone has a past which has to be left behind. It is their previous culture, with it's sham ideas and values. Many vacillate between this culture and their new Christian family or teachings. A man in two minds will receive nothing from the Lord. This culture includes friends who want you to remain under their control and need to be left behind. Sometimes it includes family who are not happy with the new you and let you know it. Thirdly there is just the memories where one can dally, old ideas waiting for a renewal! Fourthly, disappointments in the Christian life can turn the vision backward towards old comfort zones. BEWARE! All our hope is in Jesus, even if people let us down. We must forget what is behind, ie all the above! Our new life is in Christ and it is today that is new and insofar as our focus is on Jesus, we shall live it well Yes, I have a boarder who is extremely rude (leaving tomorrow). My friends become very disturbed at her behaviour and sympathise with me. Then I find that my behaviour towards her deteriorates with their sympathy. I have to be on full alert to keep my act together with her and be as Jesus to her, not indulging in the concern of my dear friends, but in what Jesus asks of me.

Paul saw that his religious pedigree had given him completely false ideas about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. That whole body of learning had completely cut him off from the truth, namely Jesus. It was not a neutral zone but actively prevented him relating to Jesus. It all had to go in the face of who Jesus really is. Paul's religious background was compared to dung because it smelled of arrogance and ignorance of the Truth (Jesus). It smelled of pharisaism, legalism, self-agrandisement, achievement, pride, ambition, etc, and the sweet perfumes of love and the other fruits of the Spirit were absent. My religious background was an impediment to my faith as I came in trying to do everything right, completely misunderstanding that I had come into love relationship, not a job description! This could always get me bogged down if my alignment with His majesty lacks the subtlety, intimacy and real dynamic interpersonal LOVE. Doing/fixing/ can never replace adoration!

This is a difficult question for me. I see people who want to operate their own little empires within the church. Our pastors have not gone along with it and some have left in consequence. There has been flack for the pastors, but the empires were to run on largely secular/humanitarian grounds. Others have considered themselves greater than others because they have been through college or in ministry, but their call has not been to service. They have been looking for status in the church. It seems that "who they are" in terms of experience or training, is their basis for confidence and acknowledgement. Being a pastor must be a very trying situation at times. I was once told - in the early days after my return to the faith - that I was trying too hard and should stop that. I had no idea what they were getting at, but two people I respected were agreeing on this so I had to hear them. I was distressed that I had forgotten my faith for many years and was trying to catch them up!. I tried so hard to do everything right! At that time I was operating in that flesh of "doing", not realising that it is all about relationship and "being". It really took me years to begin to sort this one out. These days I am free to just adore Jesus, and see what comes of that. Not that I have everything taped, but it is much more relaxing (stressless) this way - as my favourite Hebrews 4 warns us: "make sure that you enter into my rest" It is His peace that is the guide, not all the works that I can do!

Motivation seems to be a major problem in the Philippian church. There are leaders preaching who are not motivated by love, but by ambition in a fleshly sense. These preach and getsome good results, but their reasons are to get a following (showing) for themselves. Paul loves it that Timothy is not one of these, but is driven by love of the people of God. He wants the church (people) to understand this about Timothy and encourage this kind of love among each other. Phil 1:27 calls for unity of the spirit (not divisive empire building) as well as consistency of conduct worthy of followers of Christ. Nothing, he says, should be done from selfish ambition or conceit (2:3), but all needs to consider the other better than the self, in lowliness of mind - humility. Like Jesus we are to take the humble part, and let God do the exalting at the right time, as He did for Jesus. Fear and trembling are the right order of the mind when working out our salvation. Timothy is exemplary in his selfless devotion to the people of God. He asks them to honour him for this particular characteristic - with the implication that this is to be emulated. The church needs to be very aware that this is the style to be imitated by everyone. Epaphroditus has performed excellent supportive service to Paul. He has not been a big noise out there up front gaining a following for himself, but moving around away from the limelight, looking ater Paul. When he returns to his "family" he brings honours in terms of quiet achievements. This needs to be acknowledged by the church and is also exemplary to it as an acceptable/valuable path of ministry. This man gave quietly of himself although it nearly cost him his life. Let the church be aware where the true honours lie!

Serving Jesus as a slave means electing to serve as a bond servant, entirely of one's own choice, whith no pressure or pressure behindit. It is something one would do only because of great trust of the person, and confidence in their right behaviour towards the servant. It would be seen as a privilege to be under someone of this kind because their justice is well known, their house well run, and a position highly to be regarded and esteemed, very desirable. This householder has great esteem in the eyes of all who know. Serving Jesus is a privilege beyond words, a bond of high esteem and love, a cherished position in the house, and honour beyond one's wildest dreams! It's a love bond between two people, indivisible by another, a position of trust, which trust may not be broken without deep tears and repentance, It's a life and death bond or covenant sealed in blood. Breaking it is not conceivable for one will not be separted from the beloved. This relationship, in its proper form, draws the ultimate in service from us, for it is our passion. Leaders who do not have this passion for the Christ will become false prophets, may burn out easily, will wonder why their prayer is not answered. will operate in their own strength

These are difficult questions. I never had anyone come alongside me to teach me. My "teacher" was a very sick man who taught me many things. Yes, God put him there and I am very blessed. Is there a potential leader in the church for me to mentor? Some have attached themselves to me, and as we spend time together sharing who we are and our Jesus, I do seem to have some effect on them and how they operate. I just put forward how I see things, and they seem to take it on - not because I'm any great leader, but because it's God's Word. They also keep me accountable and bless me deeply.

Timothy'sselfless concern was rare indeed among church leaders even in those days, where Paul's example of leading the church in a tent ministry (Paul took care of his needs by tent-making) was the supreme example of asking nothing, giving everything. Of all the people Paul had a hand in training, Timothy seemed to be the one who caught Paul's selfless love for the church. Others had a restlessness to be back omong their own kind. Some had to be reminded constantly to love more difficult church members and not be in dispute with them. Even today I get a sense that some church leaders are in there trying to impress others, build large communities, get a huge following - just check some of the mission statements! Why this should be so difficult to find seems odd, considering that Jesus' command is to do to others as you would like them to do to you. I bellieve if we all focussed on this with any sensitivity, things would change dramatically in the churches. When I first met Jesus I saw this vision of living life in LOVE, rather than for selfish purposes. This idea excited me greatly as I was in great difficulties at home, aged 18, Even though I left God for several years, still the vision He had planted in me made me sure that "People matter more than things". I always wanted to treat people as if they mattered more than anything else that one might become absorbed in. Well, I took years to work myself out and return to God. Then, in seeking to serve I was abused by the church as a whole, yet there was this certainty of the way Jesus was, and the way I needed to conduct myself as a church member. A friend gave this great example - If there are twenty in a room and each is looking after himself, you have one person looking after your needs. However, if twenty people are looking firstly after the needs of the others, then you have nineteen looking after the needs of each one. This seems to be a better situation. It confirmed my thinking.So my thinking is OK. but have I always visited that one with troubles, concerns, illness, children in Children's Church? This is where I find I have fallen short constantly. There is always something more important to do. Yet, when you do get around to doing what God puts in your heart to do, it is always a most rewarding experience! But how exciting it is when you see it happening! Men are being brought to Men's meetings, people checked on during the week when difficulties are known, Actual help is being offered - jobs, etc. This is how lives are changed, how people get new visions, patterns. Though I speak like and angel..........If I have no LOVE I am a sounding brass or a crashing cymbal. How I long to see people taking the time to do the loving! Actually I have become a little disillusioned that I will see real love in these modern day churches. Time just doesn't allow for it! So my issue has become "TIME FOR THE PEOPLE" In my third third of my life, I have decided that people need time, and therefore that is what I have to give. Home hospitality, time for cups of tea and a chat with some encouragement, a game of monopoly with a teen or child, these are the things missing today and this is what I can give. Watch out! Grandmother at large!

My family are not Christians and have to a large extent repudiated me because I am. I cannot bend or change my love for Jesus because of this. I prefer to honour Him who shed His blood for me and for them too. I give honour to God in making my life with Him before all things. Making that sacrifice brings value to my struggles because He is the Truth, He has the words of eternal Life, where else would I go? He has changed my life and made it what it is, which is a whole lot better than what it was. He is the value I want, to put it crudely. So I will follow Him and pray for my family to gain Him.

Have you ever seen anyone with a do-it-yourself kit? Say it's one of those build a replica ship kits. They study it, and follow all the instructions vigorously. At the end they are immensely pleased with the result which, obviously they could not otherwise achieve. I think holding fast to the Word of Life is like that. We need to study it to do everything in it in order to win the prize. Holding forth the Word of God is similar, but perhaps means showing to others as the way to go. How does this relate to the purpose of th church is a topic for a long essay. The purpose of God is demonstrated clearly in Scripture for us to follow. There are heaps of wise saying, tips, commandments, etc for us. We need to get them all into our way of functioning. We need to be very vigorous and effective in walking in all the good works God has prepared for us to walk in.

"Work our your own salvation" means that we are to use the tools God has given to us at our initial introduction to the world of th Spirit of God, to achieve the destiny God designed for us before the foundation of the world. We have talents and the tools of the spirit (Eph 6 ). If we don't use them wea re likely to lose them. So having been given the tools, shown the pathway, then we are to follow in the Way on our own God-given initiative to the path's end. If we do not, we could very easily miss the gate to Heaven! Yes, this salvation is from sin, of course. God has done all the work of the Cross,and given us the gift in the first place. But "work out your own salvation" is the ongoing part of salvation after the initial gift. As Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus' cross, (without knowing too much detail of the ordeal Jesus had already suffere d), so we too have to take up our (part of the) cross and continue to carry it to the end. Salvation always involved man having a (howbeit very small) part of co-operation with God. Yet, we carry the smaller part for none of us could do what Christ has done.There are those who come in at the end of the day (just before death) and are given the same wonderful wages of life that we receive, andthat it is God's joy and right to give. Salvation was always a covenant, provided in its completion by God, yet in which man also has a part. Once I learned leadlight glass work in a seminar. However I did not go on with that art and now have lost completely the ability of do it. I was given the intro and the tools, and even completed a small project. However, now it is as though I never did it. Salvation is not unlike this, and must be worked on if it is to operate.

I see Jesus as really human. His real human body functioned just like mine, having pleasure and pain, food and water,feelings etc. His body was taken from the earth just as ours were. There was no pretence about Jesus presence in human form on earth. To me He was more human that we are. His sensitivities - to our Father, and to the other people with whom He populated the earth, were not diluted or clouded. His love was not diminished. His humility was not blemished. He was everything that we are supposed to be or to have been, and He is indeed the model for who we are to become. Sin reduces us to the status of animals - some nicer than others, having only a dust to dust tent and a carnal nature. Jesus was undiminished as a man, and able to display all the full intention of the Father in creating mankind. He, indeed, was the glorious One able to take back the dominion that satan had stolen from humanity, and share it with redeemed humanity by authorising us to use the power of His Name. By Him humanity can be reborn into the power and beauty intended for us. Yes. Jesus was definitely really human. If Jesus wasn't human then His whole visit to earth was a sham. That cannot be, because God is not a liar!

Unity means fellowship, relationship, "at one ness" with others. We can't be at one with others if our eyes oare limited to a view of ourselves. Being at one means we have to engage with the other(s) in all our thoughts, concerns, loves, cares. To do this we have, not to neglect ourselves, (for this is not loving ourselves which Jesus assumes we do), but neither to neglect any other person, therefore to be totally aware of the other as we are of ourselves. This takes a passionate interest. There are many more "others" than there are of "me". Therefore a much larger proportion of our time, attention etc is devoted to to others. I think that getting this into perspective is true humility. Lack of humility has caused many to leave the church - "They aren't giving me all the attention I need!" "My status hasn't been acknowledged." For a "mature" Christian, the attitude might be "Have I made the best of all the opportunities I have had to be of service at this church?" List the opportunities......they are endless! Opportunities to take care of the premises (clean the toilets, do the gardening, serve morning tea, welcome newcomers and encourage many people in their efforts to overcome difficulties etc ad infinitum) What can I do to bring unity in the church? Speak the truth. When someone denigrates, point it out and ask for a positive action plan. When someone complains, challenge them to be the overcomer and find a solution. Don't let people get away with negativity but gently show it up for what it is and ask for the constructive option. Serve people, be an example of the servant attitude, and where Christians are sufficiently mature, or should be, challenge them to the servant attitude.

These verses teach that to be absent from the body is to be present with Christ. This gives something magnificent to look forward to and removes completely the fear of death. It's just the process of dying that we'd like to have some choice over! Energise! WOW! I never belonged to the world anyway! My life is elsewhere. The only thing I can get from this world is other people for Jesus to take with me to Heaven. That then becomes my sole life's purpose. The excitements of this earth - and even the ligitimate ones can be so attractive! - pale in comparison with those of the life to come. I've always had lifestyle longings (for a farmlet etc) but I have more opportunities where I am right now to help with the Kingdom of Christ. Keeping focussed on Him and His mighty plan energises me with excitement and joy, and a wonderful unity with the people of God. All the other things will come in abundance later!

Fear is paralysing emotionally, or alternatively fear produces panic reactions which interfere (pun not intended but it's a good one!) with our witness. Fear of people has the paralysing effect of binding up our tongues. To gain new life we have to cast off the old one. Do you wear this year's new coat on top of last year's old one? Or do the old clothes get thrown out to make way for the new ones? Similarly we can't wear the clothes of righteousness over the top of the clothing of sin and death. Fashionwise it is too cumbersome, and simply won't compute! We have a new garment to wear - how wonderful is that? We lose the old life and gain His abundant Life. I am learning to be an overcomer in various areas of my life, because Revelation speaks a lot about crowns of life for those who overcome. I'm currently working on a habit that I don't want. At present my impoverished lifestyle does not give good witness to Christ as He has given us the means to prosper, so as part of my witness I need to overcome that problem. I have two good possibilities I'm working on there involving study in one case, and an internet business in the other. My family all prohibit me, as far as they can, from giving witness, but success in business could possibly help them see something new, and change that. I need to work on many aspects of my life to glorify God and improve my witness. I praise Him for the motivation to get going on this. I have a longing to see this new generation coming to Christ, and also to see a breakdown of the tremendous generation gaps that prevail in Western society, and there is a possibility of working with the chaplain in the local school for starters. That gives the local families a connection with our church. Fear of my own inadequacy is the one I have to overcome. All things are possible in Christ. Praise Him abundantly for His abundance!

When we are currently undergoing personal struggle/stress/problems people see us as real people. They can relate to their struggle. The see less of us on a pedestal and more of us winning the struggle with supernatural help, being kind in difficult circumstances, being bold and courageous, not giving up, all the manners they might themselves aspire to being mentored before them. They can join in our walk and allow us in on theirs. We can come alongside them more easily and more really. Paul's witness was powerful because his behaviour was so vitally different from that of others in the same situation. Under pressure he displayed LIFE. They wanted it! My personal struggle is with my healthand energy, also with the faith (or lack of it ) of my children. I see another lady of my age struggling with far greater health problems, and she inspires me to continue in strength.

Paul expressed some confidence in the direction the Phillipian Church was taking. He is excited by these consistently generous people, and has experienced their love and attention in practical terms when he has been in great need. He wants them to continue safely in this direction, and the best he can pray for them is that they should have discernment to stay in the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit Discernment involves wisdom, understanding, appreciation, making assessments of the situations and seeing them as God sees them, and acting accordingly as Jesus would, doing only what He sees the Father doing. Discernment will result in excellent choices and decisions, with brilliant consequences in terms of the fruits of the Spirit. Sincerity also is very important. Selfishness clouds discernment as tunnel vision limits the function of the eyes. The large part of vision is missed, and discernment is uninformed, therefore the selfish person is bound to make mistakes of judgment. Excellence, or the best possible, is long gone, and mediocrity at best claims the day! The good = mediocrity, when the "best" is available! Satisfaction with mediocrity makes the "best" unavailable. How sad! The "good" is only a modicum of what is possible in Christ.

Paul expects God to complete the good work He has begun in the philippian believers. He expects God to do this because his own experience of God tells him that God is faithful to His purpose and to His children, and will remain with them to complete the vision He has for each one of them. The basis of his confidence is his own personal relationship with God, begun on that Damascus road, years beforehand, and the learning that He has undertaken ever since. In other words his confidence is in the word and the revelation of God, Who Jesus is, and the power of the HolySpirit that is currently active in Him. God is faithful and never changes His style! He is also faithful to us, and will remain with us to complete the work He has begun in us.

Becoming financial partners with any ministry gives me a personal interest in that ministry and its outcomes, as well as in the rewards of the outcomes, eg seeing people saved, cared for, taught etc. I am personally involved in the responsibility and possibilities. I have a major commonality with others who also have an interest in that ministry, and have drawn closer to them as brothers and sisters with mutual goals in Jesus. Thus my fellowship is deeper and greater. The feedback of the ministry keeps me informed, and prayer draws me deeper into the fellowship of that ministry, especially where I am in personal touch with other members. Financial partnership gives one recognition as an active partner giving more than verbal assent to the work. All this produces a deep satisfaction at one's investment in the Lord's eternal work and commission. There are various other kinds of support possible, depending on our personal relationship with the ministry. The obvious one is prayer support. If it is possible to become personally active in the ministry one acquires the challenges, a share in the development of goals and visions, the deep fellowship of the other active personnel in a beneficient family type structure of personal love and support, of encouragement and appreciation for one's efforts, seeing personally the results in the lives of people, and the intimacy of the presence of God over the group. Mail support of the personal of some ministries is a great benefit, encouraging those working in isolated areas, and may give rise to involvement in acquiring some of the items needed, and personal investment energy, at greater that just financial levels. This can mean involvement at a deeper level in the prayer support. The deeper the involvement, the greater the blessing!

A slave is one who is committed (or compelled) to serve a master for a lifetime. A saint is one who has committed himself to a lifetime of service to Jesus. The common idea is a lifetime of service to a master.