27. Others

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” -Philippians 2:4, ESV

“Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” -Luke 17:33

“We lose what on ourselves we spend,
We have, as treasures without end,
Whatever, Lord, to thee we lend,
Who givest all—who givest all.”
-”Giving to God,” Christopher Wordsworth (1807–85)

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”- Jim Elliot, October 28, 1949 http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/faq/20.htm

“Others, Lord, yes others,
Let this my motto be,
Help me to live for others,
That I may live like Thee.”
-Charles D. Meigs, 1917.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/t/h/others.htm

“…the story is told of a missionary who loved her books. Some she gladly loaned, but others — her favorites — she kept stored in a footlocker under her bed. One night she heard a scratching sound. After searching, she discovered the noise was coming from her footlocker. When she opened it, she found an enormous pile of dust. Termites had destroyed her precious books. That which she had tried to keep for herself, now belonged to no one.” - More Precious Than Silver. Copyright © 1998 by Joni Eareckson Tada. http://www.joniandfriends.org/

What reactions or comments do you have on the thoughts reflected in these quotes? Feel free to submit questions for discussion.

Do we read of any place where the Lord sought for something just to please Himself, or did something simply for Himself?

What are examples of places where the Lord manifested what it was to live for others?

14. “All… against me” Part II

This is an expanded version of post #8

Lessons from Trials in Jacob’s family

I. Plight of the trials

a. Jacob – Gen. 42:36 — Circumstances

i. Emotional: Son he loved is “dead”; Simeon imprisoned, Benjamin taken
ii. Practical: Famine; unable to provide for family

b. Brethren — Sin

i. Emotional: Felt unloved, neglected
ii. Practical: Not given dreams as Joseph

c. Joseph — The World

i. Emotional: Hated, despised, forgotten
ii. Practical: Sold, imprisoned, mistreated

II. Purpose of the trials

a. Jacob-Gen. 45:27-28

i. Must surrender his heart (dearest son) to the will & working of God
ii. Learned: Goodness and greatness (sovereignty) of God
iii. His view: “All these things are against me” How could things get worse?
iv. God’s view: “Who can be against us?” How could things be better?

b. Brethren – Gen 50:18-20

i. Must surrender their wills to the chastisement/correction of God
ii. To learn: Government & grace of God
iii. Their view: It’s hidden to man
iv. God’s view: “All things… opened”

c. Joseph

i. Must surrender his life to the ways of God
ii. Learned: Guidance (protection & provision) & Glory of God
iii. Joseph’s view: Prison, humiliation
iv. God’s view: Throne, exultation & blessing

III. Power for the trials

a. Jacob-Rom. 8:28,31 “all things…for good”; “who can be against us?”

i. Certainty of the past (calling, v32), present (in control of God, v31), future (crown, v32,39), Rom. 8:14-34
ii. Comfort of the Scriptures, Son, Spirit, “God of all comfort”

b. Brethren- Mark 7:37 “all things well”

i. Care of Son/Father, Rom. 8:35-39; Heb. 12:6

c. Joseph-Rom 8:35-37 “all things…conquerors through Him that loved us”

i. Christ, Rom. 8:35-39; Heb 2:18; Phil 4:13

d. More “all things”: Matt 19:26, 2Cor 4:7-18; 1Cor 3:21,23

e. God brings Sweet out of Bitter, Strength out of Weakness, Triumph out of Tragedy, Blessing out of Broken hearts (Jerry Jennings)

f. God can bring feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, faith out of floundering

8. “All these things are against me.” Gen. 42:36

It seemed everything was against Jacob. He was still grieving over the apparent death of his beloved Joseph, he had no idea if Simeon would ever return, and his youngest son was about to be made to leave home. They were experiencing a great famine and they would starve without a long trek back into Egypt to buy food from a seemingly hostile ruler. What more could go wrong?

Yet, “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31). Things are not always as they appear, and to faith, God’s good purpose will be fulfilled regardless of appearances to the contrary. “All things work together for good to them that love God.” (Rom 8:28 ) “Joseph is yet alive!”, Simeon would soon return, Benjamin would meet his brother, the family would be united, sin would be dealt with and put away, and the whole family would soon have their fill of the very best of the land of Egypt. Really, how could things have been better? 

Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15:5), but
“I can do ALL THINGS through Him who strengthens me” (Phil 4:13)
“With God, ALL THINGS are possible” (Matt 19:26)
“He hath done ALL THINGS well” (Mark 7:37)
“ALL THINGS are yours… and ye are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1Cor 3:21,23
2Cor 4:7-18 ALL THINGS (tribulations) are for the benefit of others.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 
No, in ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom 8:35-37) 

I’ll pass along a few thoughts given to us from Jerry Jennings last night:
God brings:
Sweet out of Bitter
Strength out of Weakness
Triumph out of Tradgedy, and
Blessing out of Broken hearts.

If you’re like me, you sometimes find yourself repeating Jacob’s words. Yet God’s strengthening words, all-sufficient hand, and sympathizing heart are ever near. May you enjoy His feast out of famine, fruit out of failings, and faith out of floundering today.

~NEB

7. Path of Purity

“Keep thyself pure“

1 Tim. 5:22

This blog is really thoughts for myself, but since I’m reminding myself I thought I would share it with you, too.

How can I “keep myself pure”?

Here are a few of the thoughts I’ve considered:

1) Where is my Heart? and upon what do I think? The purposes I have

• My affection:
  “Do not love the world or the things in the world.” 1John 2:15
  “Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. ” Psalm 119:159
  “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. ” 1John 4:7
  “O love the LORD, all ye his saints” Psalm 31:23 
• My occupation:
  Col. 3:1-17 fits well here. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” v2-3
  Phil. 4:8 “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.”
• My conviction:
  Is my purpose in life to grow great in the world or to grow nearer to Christ?
• My supplication:
  How much do I live in the attitude of prayer?

2) What are my Habits? The places I go

• How wisely do I use my time? Do I have time when I just sit around and do nothing? Do I feel bored with life? Do I spend many hours doing things that are just “fun” but worth nothing to me spiritually? (I don’t think it’s wrong to do things for fun, and I sure don’t want to do things for God out of drudgery – and this isn’t worth much to God anyway– but surely we can find things that are both enjoyable and that benefit others as well, like visiting the sick or elderly, singing hymns together, or playing Bible games with Christian friends.)
• Do I have worldly associations and commitments that take away from God and His word?”Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ” Eph 5:1-2″Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph. 5:15-17

3) Who do I “Hang out” with? The people I associate with

• Do my friends help me learn more about Christ? Are they good role models? Would they rather discuss the Scriptures or watch a movie?”Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Eph. 5:11

The importance of purity: Biblical examples

Yet why is it so important for me to “keep myself pure”? I have considered various Bible characters who failed in this and some of the results they suffered from.

Solomon failed in relation to his heart. “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women” 1Kings 11:1 As a result the kingdom was divided, and his peace was affected. 

David likely failed in his habits. It appears “he arose from his couch” and went for an idle stroll. As a result of his sin against Uriah and with Bathsheba the sword did not depart from his house, his own family rose up against him, and many in Israel died.

Lot failed in both his aspirations and associations. As a result, he lost everything that he had been attracted to and sought after. His possessions were burned, his wife perished, and his family was dishonoured. His earthly treasures didn’t stand the test of the fire.

Samson failed in all three: He had worldy purposes, went to unclean places, and spent his time with ungodly people. As a result he lost his separation, strength, sight, and ultimately his “soul” or life. “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what shall a man give in return for his life?” Matt 16:25-26

The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of purity. 

The Lord Jesus was pure in thought, deed, and word. He was “separate from sinners” yet always available as a friend to the downcast and needy sinner. His voice could cause those who came to lay their hands on him to fall backward to the ground, but His gracious touch and word also said “I will, be thou clean” to a needy leper. His days were full of “Father, I thank Thee” and his hours with “I have compassion on the multitude”. His heart was ever “I delight to do Thy will, Oh My God, yea Thy law is within My heart.” Yea, even on Calvary He displayed purity of affection, occupation, conviction, and supplication. How perfect is our Example! He knew no sin, did no sin, and in Him was no sin. 

Let my prayer be, “Lord, may I love Thee wholely, trust Thee truly, and serve thee faithfully until Thou dost come.”

~NEB