Paul places his faith completely in Jesus Christ, and hand in hand with Christ, he finds that the target or goal God has set for him is now within reach. He is going to keep pressing on, sure of reaching it.
A fine example for any who find himself shooting at light bulbs.
Work to Do
February 25
In the battle of life, stalemate is an all—too—prevalent state of affairs. In chess, a stalemate is a situation that results in a drawn game. No one can move effectively. The game has come to a standstill. So does life for some.
Paul had a sort of soliloquy in writing the early part of his letter to the Philippians. Like others, this letter was written while Paul was in prison—chained like a common criminal. Although he had enjoyed a fruitful life, it had not been easy—marked as it was by beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, incarcerations, and sometimes even the opposition of his friends. He could well have felt by that time that it was someone else’s turn. I’m sure all of these thoughts were passing through his mind as he wrote:
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith (Philippians 1:21–25).
Some of us may feel that we don’t have any more to offer. We’ve reached a kind of stalemate. Actually, we have quite a bit to contribute to the oncoming generations. We lived in the world where marriage and the family were cherished, where good manners and courtesy were esteemed, and where violence was decried. We can do as the Lord revealed to Jeremiah: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it” (Jeremiah 6:16a,b). Or we can simply tell it quietly to a younger friend.
There is still work to do.
Discipleship
February 26
Living a disciplined life can at times be difficult. In fact, when it comes right down to it, many of us don’t like discipline, whether it comes from the outside or from within. Sometimes we even resent discipline. Indeed, looking back on our childhood, we can easily relate to the words of the book of Proverbs: “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors” (Proverbs 5:12–13).
As we get a little older, we realize the value of the discipline we have received . . . a guide in the daily round of life. Solomon sets the theme of the remarkable book of Proverbs in chapter one, verses two and three: “For attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair.”
Have you ever thought that the word disciple comes from the same root as discipline? A disciple is a man or woman under the discipline of a master. You and I have the opportunity and privilege of being disciples of the greatest Master of all, Jesus. Jesus put it this way: “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32). The proof of that discipleship is our love for one another. Jesus said again: “All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Real Steeple chasing
February 27
Have you gone steeplechasing recently? The question is in reference to the spiritual kind. There is an actual organized sport called “steeple chasing” that involves horse and rider racing over a set turf course, jumping over barriers and water hazards along the way. Originally, steeplechasing involved real church steeples, with people on horseback racing across open fields and farmlands and the steeples of the churches used as markers for the races.
Someone has called steeples “fingers pointed toward heaven,” and it is significant that from the earliest times, church builders called for this strong vertical feature. As well as giving monumental character to a church building, many steeples contain the church bell that calls the congregation to worship and to prayer. In days gone by, especially in rural areas, the steeple was often the highest point in a community and signified the spiritual home of a community.
Nowadays, church steeples in an urban setting are likely to be dwarfed by the more modern commercial buildings, especially the skyscrapers. That’s a pity and suggests that the interests of commerce, sports, and pleasure have become all important in our society. And all the while our culture is on the downward slide. Perhaps it’s time for the world to look again to the steeple. As the writer of the book of Hebrews puts it: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25a).
Time again for real “steeplechasing.”
Do It for Somebody Else
February 28
I once read the story of a philanthropist who took a great interest in a shoeshine boy, so much so that he paid the way for the lad’s education at university and medical school. Years later the young man had become a successful doctor and attempted to pay the philanthropist back. The philanthropist, upon receiving a check from the doctor, returned it to him with the instruction for the doctor to do the same for someone else.
Just what is our responsibility toward others? The apostle helps answer this important question when he writes in Philippians 2:4: “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Why? He goes on to say why:
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:5–8).
The loving sacrifice of the Savior calls from us a responding love. John in his epistle says: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). Then John adds in verses 11 and 12: “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us”
Our prayer today should be for our Lord to make us an instrument of His peace.
Sacrifice
February 29
A young woman was persuaded to teach a class of junior boys—one of the very tough tasks in the Sunday school. She had never made a full commitment to Christ herself and soon asked to be relieved of her position, claiming that she didn’t know where she was going herself. However, she was persuaded not to give up the class but to make a full surrender.
A new experience came into her life and a new note into her teaching. She began to give her all for her class. As a result, many of the boys in her class were led to make a profession of faith.
The major element of sacrifice in the Christian way causes some of us to back off.
Sacrifice was and is a hallmark of the Jewish faith, and the Old Testament is teeming with examples—sacrifice both for God and