Philippians 2 ~ to the Glory of God the Father

Philippians 2

2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any affection and sympathy,

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that

at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life,

So that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith,
I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon,
so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.
21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 2
2 But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. 23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 2
4 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, 30 for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.








The Glory of God is astonishingly beautiful and infinitely pleasing.
To have Him give some of His Glory in answering prayers is the Love He has for us. And is a gift. A pure gift. The prayers He answered that stayed answered for 40 and more years.


We know, Paul is a man of great learning. Paul is a man who held high position and his prospects looked good as a Christian killer.

And in Seeing and Knowing and Loving Jesus we find Paul wants this from Christians:

encouragement in Christ,
comfort from love,
participation in the Spirit,
affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind


Words to Beautiful in Scripture to not repeat them.

Being able to say "God Bless You."
My grandmother's generation said this very easily. Being able to say, " I will pray for you." This today is a little (a lot) fearful. When we say God bless you - we are taking humility (of this chapter) to say I look uppity but I'm putting God first. In the Blessing - God has highly exalted Jesus and in seeking His Blessing we bestowed on the blessed and infer God's name that is above every name. This really  is my opinion, when I  "God Bless you."

In the 1990's King Ahaz and his helper came to me to say,' Rudolph, with your nose so bright, "Quit saying 'God Bless You'! People find that offensive and religious and smarmy and uppity.' " And since you read this blog you know - this was an analogy way of communicating Ahaz stuck to 'realistic certainties' and did not extend to risk the Majesty of God. And Hezekiah, in faith, made necessary risks bold and beautiful, memorable and meaningful - making all kinds of mistakes and still trying. Receiving help. In amazing ways.

Hezekiah is a name that has flown far. Ahaz, not so much. We can stand with our hands in our pockets. Are we can skim a few stones and see the ripples, the fun. We can keep the envelope in our pocket. Or. We can push it. Paul himself said this is running a race. Not being an Ahaz. Merry Christmas!!!

(You have to have compassion for Store Workers. They have no idea what to say. 'Thank You, You as Well!' C'mon Store Managers!)

Maybe...
we could work on saying words of Blessing and Love and Jesus.. After we are comfortable saying, "God Bless You."  "I will pray for you." Even "I will pray for you now."  Then the Gun Laws are less an issue.

Prayer accomplishes a lot.

Mike Pence looked good and dignified telling us of his faith. He had a lot of Heart. Love. Soul. This could make Facebook a little more. Brave too.

Paul is the highest of the Christian world. as the New Testament is being put ink to papyrus.
Brightest Shining Light of God.
Peter was probably right there too with Jesus' Brothers.


Paul admits he has worked hard to tell of salvation. Really put his all here. Hold Fast to the Word of God. Sending his best and sending his best person - hoping to come see you too.


Look at this list :

Giving his all.
Hoping.
Glad and rejoicing. (Paul writes when he is not as well, he is sincere.)
Mercy received from God.
Seeing how it will go with Paul.
Worker, soldier, messenger, minister.
Eager, rejoice, anxious.


Philippians 2 is - jaw dropping. Astonishing. Paul has just admitted he swims with the circumstances God gives him. Riding the waves of life. He has anxiety. He has burn out - a liquid poured out. And he continually looks for the blessings our Willing and Good Father send him. Finding Joy upon looking.

Paul might say - don't cry over spilled milk. Run your race in it. You might look like you're dancing.

Never again - self worry to be anxious is a sin. Paul has just admitted Anxiety. He sees grumbling around him and disputing. Tells of his worries. Explains his life. He wants to put the people he loves with people he loves. He sends the faithful he loves to cater to the faithful. Telling us of this being the person who attends to the emotions of Paul the most. Paul intends not to be separate, but to join in the Celebration of God's Love daily.




I heard this prayer  at The Woodlands United Methodist Church at Radiance Bible Study :


Abba,

We are blessed and we gather all good things You willingly give us, Good Father.

We rejoice in Your Glory Abba, Holy Spirit and Jesus,

God is patient and kind;

God does not envy or boast

God is not arrogant 5 or rude.

God's Word is The Way and Truth. The Spirit is Life.

God is not irritable or resentful

God does not rejoice at wrongdoing, yet God rejoices with the truth.

God bears all things,

God believes all things are Possible in Him,

God makes hope in all things,
God endures things.

God's Love never ends.


Abba, Jesus calms people down to peace.

We have to call upon You and ask You.  Jesus did wait to be asked a lot.

Thank God for Jesus forgiving sins. My sins, your sins.

Easter is on the Way. We rejoice in the Promises of God. For ourselves, for hurt bodies and hurt brains in diagnosed illnesses.

Amen in Jesus!