NorthStar Church Blog

 

⁹ “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Philippians 4:9 (ESV)

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PRACTICE MAKES YOU MORE LIKE JESUS

 

It is said that “practice makes perfect.” Most coaches I have ever encountered will say, “perfect practice makes perfect.” Just going through the motions in practice will not sharpen your skills for the actual performance. The same can be said of the Christian walk. There are days in my life when I feel as though my faith is running on muscle memory. I can “fake it till I make it,” but that offers little value to me—or, more importantly, to those within my sphere of influence. Paul reminds his readers that their faith is an active faith. They must take all that they have learned, received, and heard from him, and take the time to practice what they have been taught, given, and heard.

The word learned in Greek is related to the word for disciple. A disciple is one who adheres to the teachings of another and follows in their footsteps. Paul is telling the church to practice what he taught them while he was with them. Not all of us are gifted teachers or theologians—shout out to those who are—but we can all give a basic account of the story of Jesus. Teaching the Gospel consists of extolling the foundational truths of Jesus’ birth, life, death, and resurrection.

The word received in Greek means “to take to oneself.” The church at Philippi needed to understand, accept, give assent to, and live out what they received from Paul. They were to accept his teachings as truth, conform themselves to those teachings, and ultimately become more Christlike (sanctification). This exemplifies the crucial head-to-heart connection. It does not benefit us merely to learn the Word of God—we must also live the Word of God.

Paul tells his readers to remember and practice what they heard from him when he was with them. Not only that, the Philippians were to remember their conversations with Paul and with one another. They were to listen to his written words and stay aware of any news regarding his present actions and teachings.

I think Paul saves the best for last: Practice what you saw in me. In my own experience, the way we live our lives can be a powerful witness to our faith—sometimes even more effective than the spoken word. This is especially true when engaging with those who do not want to hear what you are preaching. Paul not only taught the Gospel truth but also shared how Jesus had transformed his life. This can be a powerful tool to invite others to listen further to the truth of the Gospel.

Warren Wiersbe eloquently elaborates on the promise Paul leaves with the Philippians at the end of this verse:

“The peace of God is one test of whether or not we are in the will of God. If we are walking with the Lord, then the peace of God and the God of peace exercise their influence over our hearts.”

Discover God’s Will – Experience His Peace!

Digging Deeper (er):

Rom 10:14-15; 1 Thess 5:23; Phil 4:7.

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

⁸ “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things”

Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

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THINK EXCELLENT THOUGHTS

 

I don’t know about you, but if I focused my thinking solely on the areas Paul lists in verse 8, my mind would be exhausted by the end of the day! However, I believe my mind would be that good kind of tired—like after a full day on the slopes in bright sunshine, the warm hug from Grandma after a long journey, or coming face-to-face with our risen Savior at the end of a long race. Paul is reminding his readers to focus their mental energy on the things that matter—those that have eternal significance.

Think on Whatever Is:

True – The actuality of something. Truth is not relative but absolute—the truth of God’s Word, embodied in the Living Word, Jesus.

Honorable (Greek: worthy of respect) – Worthy of reverence. Do not waste time on trivial, temporal, or earthly thoughts.

Just – Righteous; that which conforms to the perfect standard of God, as revealed in His Word.

Pure – Chaste, innocent, morally clean; able to stand the scrutiny of God. Purity conforms us to the image of Christ.

Lovely – Endearing, lovable, amiable, pleasing, and winsome. These qualities make us more attractive to others for Christ’s sake—not for our own gratification.

Commendable (of good report) – Highly regarded; thoughts that are noble and uplifting, which not only build up ourselves but, more importantly, build up others.

Excellence (Virtue) – Demonstrated by living as God intended, for His purpose and glory—to the honor of Christ and for the reputation of the Gospel in the world.

Praiseworthy – Not for our own accomplishments, but so that others may see and understand the true source of our praiseworthy actions.

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I challenge you to take a few moments and think on these things. If you are like me, the image that embodies every single one of these characteristics is Jesus.

He came as the Word of Truth.
He is worthy of our reverence.
He brings justice to the world.
He is the perfect image of His Father.
He is lovable—and loves us in return.
He is highly regarded, the name above all names.
He lived a virtuous life, perfectly following His Father’s will.
He is infinitely worthy of our continuous praise!

Digging Deeper (er):

Col 3:1-2; Rom 12:2-3; Rom 8:5.

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

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FIND PEACE FOR YOUR HEART AND MIND

 

Pastor Warren Wiersbe writes:

The world bases its peace on its resources, while God’s peace depends on relationships. To be right with God means to enjoy the peace of God. The world depends on personal ability, but the Christian depends on spiritual adequacy in Christ. In the world, peace is something you hope for or work for; but to the Christian, peace is God’s wonderful gift, received by faith. Unsaved people enjoy peace when there is an absence of trouble; Christians enjoy peace in spite of trials because of the presence of power—the Holy Spirit. People in the world walk by sight and depend on externals, but Christians walk by faith and depend on the eternals.

Let’s dig into this commentary a little deeper. Note that worldly peace is highly subjective—changing at the whim of the human condition—and reliant on its own resourcefulness. Godly peace never wavers; it is available through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Righteousness—the condition of being “right” with God—brings with it His inestimable peace, beyond all understanding. The secular worldview sees peace as emanating from one’s abilities and self-motivation. The godly worldview recognizes Christ as the only source of peace. He died so that we might be made right with the Father.

The world sees peace as something earned—something fought for. We, as Christians, see peace as a gift from a gracious and merciful God, obtained through our faith in His Son. The world views peace as the absence of turmoil and strife. The Christ-follower understands that trials and tribulations will come, but the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us inner peace and joy. Finally, the world walks in darkness—blindly following wherever external stimuli lead. Christians walk by faith, focusing on their eternal destiny, rather than being tossed to and fro by the latest fad or fashion.

The mind, according to Scripture, is the center of our understanding and reasoning. The heart, on the other hand, is the seat of our emotions and the source of our free will. Paul reminds his readers that these two critical areas of human existence need constant protection. It is within these centers of consciousness that sin can most easily enter. The peace of God—obtained through a right relationship with Him by our faith in His Son—is constantly guarding these vital yet vulnerable aspects of our humanity.

Think of your heart and mind as a castle. God’s peace is the guard (or sentinel) whose job is to keep constant watch, preventing Satan from breaching our defenses.

Digging Deeper (er):

John 14:27; Rom 16:20; 2 Thess 3:3.

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

⁶ “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

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ASK GOD, WITH A HUMBLE AND THANKFUL HEART

 

My father—a great dad—was always one to worry. We would leave on family vacations, and five minutes after pulling out of the driveway, we would be heading back home so he could check to make sure something wasn’t left turned on. I’m not sure how much actual vacation time he allowed himself to enjoy. He made up for it once all the kids were out of the house and he and my mom could simply relax and travel—on his son’s pass privileges, I might add—mostly stress-free.

I thank my dad for most of the character traits I inherited from him, apart from that worry gene. In my younger days, I used to have two credos:

1. “It’s never too early to worry,” and

2. “I want to see how this is going to turn out before I take that first step!”

Don’t laugh—I know some of you out there are nodding with a bit of embarrassed agreement in your hearts. My point is this: as your faith grows, your anxiety level should decrease. Paul reminds his audience, “Do not be anxious about anything” (v. 6a). That is about as unambiguous as it gets!

How then do we decrease the level of worry and anxiety in our daily lives? Take everything—again, no ambiguity—to God. Talk to God; He will listen. Share your fears and worries with Him—He already knows them. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to confidently “draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16, ESV). Those are powerful words. They remind us that our King sits on a mighty throne, yet stoops down to bless us with His loving mercy and grace.

We can tap into that source of mercy and grace through “prayer and supplication” (v. 6b). Supplication simply means “to plead humbly.” Paul tells the church to simply and humbly make our requests known to the One who loves us and longs to ease our anxiety and fears (v. 6b). Worried about the state of your marriage? Ask God for guidance. Teenage kids keeping you up at night (glad I’m done with that phase of life)? Pray for wisdom. Paul’s message is that God is available and listening—humbly ask Him in all situations. You will never feel more in control than when you give up control to the One who controls it all.

I love how Paul casually drops the word thanksgiving into the conversation. If you removed that word from the verse, the sentence would still make sense. However, if you recall yesterday’s devotional, Paul was in custody when writing this letter, yet he still reminds his readers to find joy in all things—even during times of trial and tribulation. Joy and thanksgiving should go hand in hand. When you think about it, just having the opportunity to talk one-on-one with the almighty Creator of the universe should always fill us with joy and thankfulness.

Approach God with a humble spirit. Ask Him with a thankful heart. Pray for the desires of your heart. Joyfully accept the will of the Father. Leave that worry gene at the foot of the cross.

Digging Deeper (er):

Matt 6:34; Matt 6:27; Heb 5:7; 2 Cor 9:11.

 

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

⁴ “Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. ⁵ Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand.”

Philippians 4:4-5 (ESV)

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TAKE JOY IN THE LORD

 

Paul is writing this letter to the church at Philippi while imprisoned in Rome (see Acts 28). To most of us, being chained to a guard in prison 24/7 is not something that would instill joy. However, Paul uses the word joy—or some form of the word—sixteen times in this short letter. Paul leaves no doubt as to circumstantial joy; he unequivocally states to “always” rejoice in the Lord (v. 4).

Various translations use the words rejoice, be full of joy, or be glad. Our reason for joy should not be based on the temporal or the worldly, but on the eternal. Paul reminds his readers that “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5b). This can have two meanings:

1. Paul was looking to the future, anticipating Christ’s return; or

2. Paul is reminding the church that Jesus abides in all who call themselves followers of Christ and is therefore, by His very nature, always “at hand.”

How then do we learn to take joy in whatever circumstances we find ourselves? We must grow closer to Jesus day by day. Think about a beautiful sunset you may have observed—is there such a thing as an ugly sunset? You can be mesmerized by the beauty of God’s creation, observing the various hues and shades on display. You “lock eyes” on the scene, wishing to catch every nuance.

In my former life, I was cruising one night at 35,000 feet somewhere over the Carolinas, heading to New York. The sun had set earlier in the eastern sky over the Atlantic, and out that window were blackness, city lights, and stars. As I scanned the horizon to my left side of the cockpit, the scene changed. The sky brightened slightly, and in the distant western sky was just a hint of pink-orange, dying light. As I looked back and forth, the night-and-day (literal) contrast was stunning. I was lost in thought about our Creator and His marvelous handiwork!

That is how we must lock eyes with the One who redeemed us. We must study, ponder, pray to, and worship the One who made that scene possible. No matter how bumpy the ride or how stormy the skies, keep your eyes on the One who quiets the winds and calms the seas. Only then will joy be as natural as the breath you take each moment.

Paul also encourages his readers to “let [their] reasonableness be known to everyone” (v. 5a). Other translations substitute “gentle spirit,” “gentleness,” “kindness,” “considerate,” or “moderate” for reasonableness. One of the most effective demonstrations of our faith to this dark world we live in is our response in times of strife. Our expression of joy when we are in the dark valley can be a powerful witness to those searching for the inner peace and joy that are sorely lacking in our modern culture.

Lock eyes with Jesus every day. Let His shining light, joy, and gentle spirit emanate from within!

Digging Deeper (er):

John 16:22; John 15:11; John 15:13.

 

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Phil Meade is a father of 3, and grandfather of 5. He has a Masters Degree in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NS. He retired after 8 years as an Air Force pilot, and 33 years as a Delta pilot.

 

 

20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own…

Philippians 3:20-21 (NLT)

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KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

 

We’ve covered a lot of ground this week. We began by discussing what it looks like to sit with ourselves and evaluate our lives from a spiritual perspective. We then unpacked how to eliminate the things that prevent us from living the life God desires for us—and how to replace them with better things. Yesterday, we looked at Paul’s life and ministry as an example of what it means to persevere through trials.

So, as we close out the week, I want you to ponder an important question. It’s the one that brings everything together: Why?

• Why do I need to reflect on what’s happening in my mind and heart?

• Why do I need to say “no” to some things and eliminate those that hold me back?

• Why do I need to listen to new voices and tune out others?

• Why do I need to press on when life is so difficult?

The most concise answer I can offer is this: As a child of God, He is refining you into His likeness so that you can represent Him to a lost world.

In short, you and I might be the first—and perhaps only—glimpse anyone ever gets of who Jesus Christ is. Therefore, it’s imperative that we do all we can to allow our lives to be transformed through the process of sanctification. That’s a theological word that simply means this: as believers, we are set apart for God’s purposes, and the Holy Spirit continually transforms us into the likeness of Christ.

This process takes a lifetime. Remember, we’re all a work in progress—from the moment we invite Jesus to take up residence in our hearts and become our personal Lord and Savior, until the day we take our final breath and meet Him face to face.

In the meantime, keep your eyes locked on Jesus. He is your ultimate why—and He wants to use you to help a hurting world come to know Him.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

12 … But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me… 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12, 14 (NLT)

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PRESS ON

 

Paul was as tough as nails. But his resolve wasn’t developed in an instant. Throughout his ministry, he faced what seemed like unyielding adversity. He summarizes some of the physical suffering he endured in his second letter to the church at Corinth:

“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again.
Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes.
Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned.
Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers.
I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles.
I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas.
And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights.
I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food.
I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:23–27 (NLT)

Additionally, Paul faced other difficulties. He was persecuted, arrested, and imprisoned multiple times for preaching the Gospel. He was given a “thorn in the flesh,” which he describes in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10. He dealt with false teachers, opposition from idolaters, and the loneliness which resulted from the betrayal of former companions.

If you focused solely on the brutal circumstances Paul endured—particularly in his final years—you might assume he developed a bitter, callous heart. Quite the opposite.

Paul’s letters to the early churches are filled with words of encouragement, perseverance, and the call to embrace the freedom found in Christ. Though a literal prisoner for much of his ministry, he urged believers not to become prisoners of legalism (the law), but instead to live “through faith expressing itself in love” (Galatians 5:6).

If there’s a phrase Paul left for you, for me, and for all believers since his time on earth, it would be this: press on.
It’s a call to perseverance—steadfast determination to endure, no matter the circumstances—and to keep our eyes on the ultimate finish line, the “heavenly prize” he references in Philippians 3:14.

When your world seems to relentlessly oppose you, to kick you while you’re down, and to heap discouragement on you again and again—remember Paul.
Read these words and take heart from a man who had every reason to fold his tent and give up, but never did:

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
— 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT)

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.

Philippians 3:12b-13 (NLT)

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SWAPPING OUT, NOT CRAMMING IN

 

We all have plenty to do. In fact, I’d wager you have more than your fair share of places to be, tasks to complete, calls to return, and appointments to make. When you begin to think about adding things to your schedule, discouragement can easily set in.

Yesterday, we talked about tuning out certain voices in our lives in order to become the men and women God has called us to be. That’s no easy task—but adding things in is often even more challenging than eliminating what’s already there.

So, let’s take a different approach. Instead of thinking about how you can cram more into your schedule—even really good things like reading your Bible or joining a small group—approach it with the mindset that you’re replacing something of lesser value with something of far greater value.

I remember when I was thirty years old and a young dad, realizing that something had to give. I had started a new job at NorthStar and had two young boys—one four years old and one still an infant. For many years I had coordinated and played on a men’s softball team. I had friends, former co-workers, and family members who played with me, and we enjoyed it immensely for several seasons. But my older son was about to turn five and start playing baseball. I had to make a tough decision: would I continue to play and lead the softball team while also trying to coach my son’s baseball team?

As much as my wife and I both loved our time at the softball field, I knew the better choice was to devote that time to my son rather than try to pack in too much. I’ve never regretted that decision. Was there a sacrifice? Yes—but it was for something better.

For you, it might be a club, a hobby, or maybe spending your free time with friends. All good things, most likely. But what are you forfeiting by giving your time, energy, and money to them? Is there something God has waiting for you that you just can’t seem to make time for?

Once again, as we close, I’m asking you to devote ten minutes of your time today to pray and ask the Lord to speak to you about this. You might already have a desire to serve your community, go on a mission trip, connect in a small group, or start reading a devotional each day. It could even be something as simple as spending more quality time with your family. But perhaps you’ve met resistance—or you simply can’t figure out how to take the next step.

What’s one way you can begin to lock eyes with Jesus on a more consistent basis? He’s ready to make it happen. Are you?

 

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.