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January 07, 2010
Philippians 1:15-18
Philippians 1:15-18 (NLT)

15 It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives.

16 They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News.

17 Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me.

18 But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.



Paul did not have his head buried in the sand.   He knew that while he sat imprisoned for preaching the truth about Christ that there were people using his situation to exploit him and the cause of Christ and turn it to their own selfish benefit.  Here is where I believe we see a vital step to maintaining joy in life, even when our circumstances are against us and are what we could feasibly call unfair. 

Paul chose to focus on the positive, to narrow down the road he allowed his thoughts to wander.  Christ’s name was being put in the limelight, front and center.  God’s will was being accomplished, even though it was not in the way that Paul had  originally thought it would happen.  Paul could have focused on trying to analyze the motives of other preachers, possibly even rightfully so we would say because his name was tied up with it all, but Paul chose to not expend spiritual and emotional energy thinking and stewing about something over which he had no control.  Paul’s goal in life was to preach about the good news of Christ and the salvation we can all experience through Him, so he was satisfied that Christ’s name was being put out into the public, regardless of the motivation behind it.  He knew God was powerful enough to protect His own name and character.

You may not be in prison hearing reports of people smearing your name and motives, but maybe you do have a daily choice of how you will respond at the office to a coworker who constantly tries to present you in a negative light to the boss.  Perhaps your battle lies with an acquaintance who seems to have misunderstood something positive you tried to do, or even a family member who doesn’t believe that you have had a change of heart and attitude.  It is so easy to analyze what we think someone else is thinking, to stew and criticize and waste time trying to figure out what makes that someone else tick. Paul’s response looks so easy, so cut and dried, on the surface, but it is really quite remarkable.  He examined the goals God had given him and responded in accordance with those goals instead of responding according to personal offense.  His goal was for Christ to be the focus.  It was happening in a way that Paul had not counted on, but it was happening nonetheless. 
 
Is there an area in your life where you are spending emotional and spiritual energy that could be channeled more profitably?   There is a place for analysis, but there is also a place for acceptance and letting go.  When it comes to judging motives, the Bible tells us that the heart is deceitful and that we can’t even know what lurks in our own heart, let alone someone else’s heart.  When we have done all we can do to maintain peace in our relationships, apologized when we have offended and offered forgiveness to those who have hurt us, are we willing to follow Paul’s example?  Focusing on the spiritual goals God has given us instead of personal comfort requires an outlook God can give us, and the result is true joy in seeing God’s will being accomplished.

A Thankful Thought

Wow, there are so many things.  But I can honestly say as a wife, mom, and NewSpring staffer, my days are always busy and I am so thankful that God is the center of everything we do.  I pray over my kids' bus as they drive down the road as well as my husband as he follows behind them to go to work.  Most mornings my time is limited where I can just sit down and have quiet time, but even as I drive to work, I listen to my favorite songs (usually praise songs), and just praise Him because I know He is with me in all I do.  My blessings are so numerous.  I can't imagine life without Him!

A NewSpring Staff Member


Your Comments

1

Valarie Kaufman | January 07, 2010 at 06.11 am

I am very thankful of everything God has given us. Even in the darkest times he is there and i am reminded of all the things he has done for us and I always know that he will bring us through. He is an Awesome God.

2

Hazel Darrow | January 07, 2010 at 10.59 am

It is amazing how God gives us what we need when we need it!  I realized today that I am spending emotional and spiritual energy on a broken relationship that I really have no control over.  I have forgiven and asked forgiveness, now I need to let God take it and heal it in His timing.  I’m ready to put all my energy into what God has called me to do.  Praise His name!

3

Karen Crow | January 07, 2010 at 11.04 am

His word comes to mind—God’s grace is sufficient for me and in Psalms 40, “Happy is the one who makes the Lord his trust.”  Or in Matthew, “all things are possible with the Lord.”  Everyday is incredible when we surrendered our lives to the Lord, and trust Him to lead us no matter what is going on around us.  However, the Lord does call us to pray for one another.  But to have the privilege of loving the Lord our God everyday with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and to love others is beyond words even in the midst of heavy trials—knowing without doubting He will be faithful!  Love to my brothers and sisters in Christ at New Spring.

4

Debbie | January 08, 2010 at 12.49 pm

WOw once again hits home….I try my best to do this and I think I do a pretty good job…I do have atleast one area that I really struggle with and it is getting better with time..If I could only let it go and really forgive the other person as God forgives me I would be able to be more Christ like as we are all suppose to be..I am so thankful that God is always here for me ...I vow that today is the day I totally forgive this person so I can restore my emotional and spiritual energy back to where it should be…

5

Stefanie | January 10, 2010 at 09.35 pm

I love the comment, “Paul chose to focus on the positive, to narrow down the road he allowed his thoughts to wander.”  How true!  If we let our thoughts wander, Satan can really take us for a ride.  Father, may we keep our mind fixed on You and Your plan!


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