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It was obvious that she (i.e., Christ’s bride at Philippi) wasn’t feeling her “normal” self.

Typically, she was a hardworking, energetic, and active (Philippians 1:5,6) lady, but in recent days she was uncharacteristically weak and uncoordinated.

A family member suggested that she set up a doctor’s appointment (Philippians 4:3).

Her symptoms didn’t demand an immediate visit to the ER, but they couldn’t just be ignored either (Mark 3:17).

That nagging “ache” served as overt evidence of a deeper, underlying problem.

Then too, failure to get treatment might make her more susceptible to other, more serious, ailments which could threaten her entire system (1 Corinthians 12:26).

Her doctor, a trusted family practitioner, ran a few tests and confirmed his diagnosis — she had suffered a small “fracture” (Philippians 4:2).

As a result, he recommended a combination of therapies and scribbled (Hebrews 1:1,2; 2 Timothy 3:16) an inspired prescription on his notepad — Philippians 4:4-7:

Take A DAILY DOSE of joy–“Rejoice in the Lord always” (v. 4).

Unlike Paul, who could find joy in the confines of a Roman prison, some members of the Philippian fellowship experienced despair.

They focused on the dispute (i.e., fracture) between Euodia and Syntyche (which in turn, affected the whole congregation).

The apostle cautioned against this inappropriate emphasis and suggested that the saints needed to “keep on rejoicing” in view of their relationship with the Lord (Matthew 5:10-12).

EXERCISE gentleness–“Let your gentleness be known to all men” (v. 5a).

The word translated “gentleness” means strength under control and referred to the taming of a wild animal.

When an animal was brought under control by a trainer, it retained all of its physical prowess, but the trainer controlled the use of it. Euodia and Syntyche, like the other Philippian members, must have had strong personal feelings, but needed to exercise control over them (2 Peter 1:6).

Losing their tempers and/or tongues would only exacerbate this congregational wound (Proverbs 29:11).

Remember that THE DOCTOR IS always ON CALL–“The Lord is at hand”.

If she really wanted to help mend the fracture (John 5:6), the church needed to remember the nearness of the Lord (Hebrews 13:5b-6; Psalms 119:151; Matthew 28:19; Acts 17:27) and that He genuinely cared about this situation (1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 2:17).

The realization of his present nearness would have a calming and reassuring effect.

Cut anxiety out or your DIET–“Be anxious for nothing” (v. 6).

The Greek word translated “anxious” means to draw in different directions.

Some church members were pulled apart with worry over the disagreement between their two sisters in the Lord.

Even though these women believed the same gospel, stood for the same doctrine, and had their names in the Book of Life (Revelation 3:5), some Christians could only fret (Luke 10:41).

Paul, under inspiration, suggested that this useless (Matthew 6:27) activity needed to be cut completely out of the Philippians’ spiritual diet.

Communicate your SYMPTOMS to the Great Physician–“… By prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (v. 7).

The concerns of the saints were to be taken to the throne of God.

Even though He was already aware of the Philippian fracture (Matthew 6:8), the church needed to step out in faith and leave this problem in his skillful hands (Daniel 6:10,11).

“There is a balm in Gilead to make the wounded whole; there is a balm in Gilead to heal the sin-sick soul.”

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike

“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

Photo via goodsalt.com

It was a massive fire.  It started around the merchant shops near the Circus Maximus on the windy night of July 19, 64 AD.  The conflagration lasted a total of nine days and destroyed more than 60,000 buildings, including 90% of all the homes in the municipality.  In its aftermath, more than two-thirds of Rome was left in charred ruins.

Angry citizens blamed the maniacal twenty-six-year old Emperor for the blaze.  In an effort to exonerate himself, Nero claimed Christians were responsible instead.

Sometime thereafter, the apostle Paul, as the veritable “firebrand” (pun intended) of the church, was arrested, imprisoned and awaited execution.  He would be one of many saint-scapegoats who were unjustly put to death for the city-wide fire.

Knowing his death was imminent (2 Tim. 4:6-8), and that that his own demise would leave a void in the life of his beloved son in the gospel, Paul penned his last inspired words from “quarantine”, not to a congregation, but to an individual.   As Paul “greatly desired” (ESV) to see Timothy (2 Tim. 1:4), we also long to be in company of fellow-Christians and to worship with them in person once again.

What did Paul say and do, while in quarantine, for Timothy that we can emulate today (2 Tim. 1:3-5)?  Note:

• We can THANK God for others in the church. “I thank God…as I remember you…” (v. 3; cf. Phil. 1:3).  We can send an email or a card, or just make a phone call, and let our friends know that we’re grateful for them and for how they bless our lives.

 

• We can PRAY for our brethren in distress. “I remember you constantly in my prayers…” (v. 3).  We can lift their names before the Father’s throne and ask for His providential care during these uncertain times.

 

• We can REMIND our fellow Christians of their devotion. “I am reminded of your sincere faith…” (v. 5).  We can encourage and boost the hearts of who have stood strong in Christ before and help them (1 Thes. 5:11) to remain so now.

Rather than being overwhelmed by his circumstance and looming death, Paul chose instead a) to hold tenaciously to an attitude of thanksgiving (cf. 1 Thes. 5:18), b) to continually petition the Father (cf. 1 Thes. 5:17) on Timothy’s behalf, and c) to lift up the young evangelist as he kept, and further spread, the gospel flame (cf. Heb. 3:13).

If Paul could do that then, why can’t we do similarly today…?

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike 

 

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sed“HOW DID HE do it?!”

The national media touted Chesly Sullenberger as a national hero.  The internet, newspapers, and television all gave him special praise.  Even the President made a congratulatory call.  The accolades were not unwarranted.  Mr. Sullenberger, or “Sully” as he’s called by his friends, did something extraordinary.

He was piloting US Airways flight 1549 over New York City when his craft collided with a flock of birds.  Moments later he somehow managed to land the crippled aircraft in the Hudson River without the loss of life or serious injury.  It was an incredible effort.  Many deemed it “miraculous.”

But it really wasn’t a miracle.  A miracle—in the biblical sense—is not just something highly unusual, it is something that supersedes the laws of nature (Mark 16:17-19).  If Airbus A320 had suddenly suspended in mid-air, that would have been a miracle.

But don’t misunderstand me; Sullenberger did something worthy of the laurels he received.  What made that real-life story so compelling is that he was uniquely qualified for this kind of emergency.  He had been preparing virtually all of his life for this very kind of circumstance.

• He had his pilot’s license by age 14 and was flying a crop duster in Texas by age 15.
• He has logged more than 19,000 hours of flight time.
• He named “best aviator” in his class at the Air Force Academy.
• He had flown F-4 Phantom II fighter jets.
• He was a flight leader in Europe and the Pacific.
• He led war-game exercises over Nevada.
• He investigated air disasters.
• He mastered glider flying.
• He studied the psychology of how cockpit crews behave in a crisis.
• A few years ago he started a California consulting firm that offers companies ways to apply the latest safety advances in commercial aviation.

Chesly Sullenberger was ready.  When the pressure was on, he called upon his years of training, expertise, and observation.  Even when it was obvious the plane was going down, Sullenberger not only flew the broken jetliner, but he came over the intercom and calmly told his 149 fellow-passengers, “Brace for impact.”

I hope the analogy is obvious.  All of us face crisis in our lives.  ALL OF US.  Maybe it’s an untimely death.  Maybe it’s the crushing financial difficulty or loss of a job due to the national quarantine.  Maybe it’s a serious, life-threatening illness like COVID-19 itself.  Maybe it’s a heart-breaking, soul-wrenching relationship problem that’s come to the surface.  Maybe it’s a haunting private addiction.  Maybe it’s that tornado that ripped through your neighborhood and demolished your house.  Maybe it’s a combination of these issues.  Sooner or later we all face “mid-air collisions,” right?

But why is it that some brethren not only endure great adversity, but they seem to somehow conquer it?  In terms of this aviation accident, why is it that some folks manage to “land safely,” even under great duress, while other children of God “crash and burn”?  Why is it that some Christians continue to live faithfully despite incalculable pain, while others leave the Lord and the church?

The answer may sound too simplistic, but it’s biblical.  It’s a matter of genuine faith.  FAITH!

Dear reader, are you preparing?  Are you, like Chesly, training (1 Pet. 1:6-7)?  Paul says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10.17).  Faith comes from hearing and reading and thinking about the Word!

Some brethren spend a lifetime with a TV remote in their hand.  Other’s skip Lord’s Day Bible Study and the evening assembly, not to mention Wednesday night class.  They don’t even bring a Bible to the assembly.  “Do I have to?” “Am I obligated to?” they ask.  “Do I have to read, and study and meditate?”  “I don’t have the time!” they insist.  Then the collision comes.  They crash.

There’s a flock of birds that has collided with our lives.  Were you ready for this crash?  Where is your faith?

“God loves you and I love you and that’s the way it’s gonna be!” – Mike