Unity or Me-nity

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel."  Philippians 1:15-17.

Father, I pray love would be Deeper Still's only motive in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I pray for every member of every Deeper Still team to walk in unity and love, knowing we are appointed for the defense of the gospel.   In Jesus' Name, Amen.   

While cuddling and reading devotions with my eight-year-old, Philippians 1:15 tore my heart wide open.  

"Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel."  Phillipians 1:15-17

Confession:  There are times I compare myself to others.  There are times when I am envious of other's gifts.  There are times I feel inferior to others.  And it is all sin. 

The moment envy rises its ugly green head in our hearts when it comes to fellow ambassadors of the gospel, we can be sure Phil 1:15 isn't far from describing our state.  

As ministers of the gospel of Christ, we need to be keenly aware of our motives.  And this not only goes for ministers, but every service in the church body.  There is a key question we must continue to ask ourselves...Why do we do what we do?  

Do we like the attention?

Does it make us feel good about ourselves?

Money?

Is position and favor our conquest? 

There are other questions to ask as well.  But, there should only be one answer.  The only reason for proclaiming the gospel of Christ is simply to preach Christ.  

Thankfully whatever the motives, still Christ is preached, as Paul admirably points out in Phil 1:18.

"What then?  Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in trust, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice." 

Anyone is subject to fall.  Anyone at any time can be tempted with envy and jealousy.  No one is immune.  We are all human.  We just all need to be aware.  

Do you find yourself comparing your ministry to others?  Check your motives.

Do you find yourself begrudging the fruit in others' lives?  Check your motives.

Do you think you are right in how you do things and others are wrong?  Check your motives.

Do you ever feel like someone "stole" something or someone from you?  Check your motives.

At the beginning of this post, I shared an intimate confession. The Lord used Phil 1:15 to reveal an area of sin in my life.  This sin broke my heart.  And as a fellow sojourner in Christ, my heart is to help others avoid the pitfalls along the journey.  

My prayer is that our goal and aim would be One.  My prayer is that all believers in Christ could be joined together in unity rather than me-nity, focused on others and the Kindgom of God rather than self. 

It starts with each person doing a heart check and walking in love with one another.  It starts with me. It starts with you. 

With and In

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

Father, God of peace, thank you for sanctifying us completely that we may be blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Thank you Lord that you not only call us to sanctification, but you said you are faithful to also do it.  I pray for the Deeper Still Team and participants to remain in and with You Lord Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

There were years of crying.  Tears rooted in a well of immense mess fed by an underground stream of insecurity, shame, and unworthiness. Holding drenching tissues surrounded by a sea of Puffs crumpled on the floor beside the bed,  I wondered if I would ever feel ok.  I wondered if I would ever feel free. 

To sanctify in the original Greek is the word “hagiazo” in the verse above and it means:  to purify, free from guilt of sin or purify internally by renewing of the soul.

God promises that He is sanctifying you completely.  He is purifying.  He has freed us from the guilt of sin and we are purified internally by the renewing of the soul.

Renewing our soul or our mind comes by being in the Word of God and being with the Word of God.  Notice the two different prepositions.  In and with are not mutually exclusive.  One cannot replace the other and one is not more important than the other. 

Both are needed.  Both transform.  Both are a waterfall of life that drenches our souls, allowing its healing power to soak into our core.  This life giving and restoring waterfall will over flood the undercurrents rooted in a past of regret and heartache.  It is truly all I know that can cure a heart calloused or captured by sin. 

Reading is the being “in” the Word of God part.  His Word will reap lasting effects of freedom nothing on this earth can accomplish.  No amount of counseling, although it is helpful, can do what the Word of God can do.

Praise and worship and resting in Jesus are the being “with” the Word of God.

John  1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. “  John 1:14 then says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory”.

When we dwell with the Word, we behold His glory.

 Spiritual transformation takes place when we rest in His presence and spend time lingering in worship (both personal and corporate).  One of the reasons transformation occurs at the retreats is because we first soak in God’s presence then we wash the participants in the water of the Word.  The participation of engaging in worship helps to introduce them to the Holy Spirit in ways that are new and refreshing and it opens up new wells of intimacy.

He is the answer.  In Him is our hope.  He is sanctifying us completely.   Our part is to be in His Word and be with His Word.   Be With and In.