Philippians & Colossians

Here is what I got this time through Philippians and Colossians.

Philippians
1:6 - It is God who begins a good work in you. Sometimes we think that all the good in our lives is started or originates with us, but in reality it is God who begins this work. Some might balk at this and wonder, Well what if God hasn't started a good work in me? Here's the beauty, ask Him and He will. God has made promises that say everyone who seeks Him sincerely with all of their heart will find Him. So, if you want God to do a good work in your life sincerely approach Him and ask Him and watch His promises come alive.

1:8 - How do you see your fellow brother or sister in Christ - with affection or with something else?

1:20 - Do you have "sufficient courage" to live or die for Christ? I would word it do you have sufficient courage to die OR live because some of us would die, it is the living that seems so hard. I know some of us have courage, but do we have sufficient courage to follow all that Jesus teaches? That is the difference between a follower of Jesus and just someone interested - the courage to follow Him anywhere, anytime completely and wholeheartedly.

2:4-8 - If you want healthy relationships, whether you walk with Jesus or not, do what Jesus did. Put others first by thinking less about yourself and serve other people no matter the cost. That kind of living changed even how we calculate time.

3:8 - When Paul talks about considering everything a loss some of us might hesitate on that. You mean I should consider my job garbage? My house garbage? My family garbage? Well, yes and no. You shouldn't treat them poorly, but in view of the worth of God to you they should have so little value. Paul is saying that God should be worth more to you than all of that combined and multiplied a thousand times. He is saying God should be worth you giving every good thing up and more. The funny thing is if we would live that way God would make our jobs, marriages, .... so much better. It isn't about hating things, but loving God so much that things never have much value outside of Him.

Colossians
1:21 - You are not an enemy of God's if you are willing to come to Him in faith through Jesus. A lot of people have done things that make them think they are God's enemy, but the truth is God is willing to reconcile with any of us if we will come to Him through His Son. The only enemies of God are those who choose to reject His Son and do it on their own.

Love, Michael