Tag: philippians

STRENGTH

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God, the God who girds me with strength and makes my way blameless?  He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your right hand upholds me; and Your gentleness makes me great.

Psalm 18:31-35

The Hebrew word “chaayi” — translated here as “strength” — is used approximately 244 times in the Old Testament, with about 20 of those references in the Psalms related to God’s might/omnipotence.  In this passage, “strength” is used in an absolute state which indicates possession; thus God is viewed as girding (binding up) the psalmist with His strength.

It’s important to note that in a practical sense, or modern-day application, the phrase “girds me with strength” means to make strong — assuring the readers that, in context, it is the one true God that is working to make the writer strong.

Our psalmist is now a warrior, being trained for war with a might far above all other created sources or strengths!  Without this wondrous girding/belt, he would have been feeble, with uncertain energies and a misguided or misdirected human force/ability.  Now, however, he himself is daring in purpose, courageous, and in possession of, or perhaps possessed by, a concentrated, holy power.

Have we too, as believers, and Christ’s disciples, been made more than human conquerors? Are we fully equipped and empowered from on-high with strength and might greater than anything known to humanity? 

If yes, then let us ascribe all the glory and honor to Him Who has girded us with His own inexhaustible strength — that we might be unwearied during our pilgrimage of faith, and victorious throughout our battles with the world, the flesh and the devil (our enemy, Satan).

As we turn to our New Testament, we find the Apostle Paul, early in his ministry (Acts 9:22), “increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.” The Greek word used here, “endunamoo,” translated “increasing in strength,” is a compound word from the Greek root word “dunamis,” meaning power.  Should we even question or ever wonder what’s actually at work in him?

It was also this same apostle, who, in Philippians 4:13, boldly declares, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”  Do you suppose he had been girded with strength from the Lord above?

I Peter 4:11 brings this concept home for us… for each of our own individual, day-to-day lives –

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Now, as many of you have already anticipated, this lands us right in Ephesians 6:10-17:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Whose armor is this?  Is He not girding us with His strength?  –PF               

STABILITY

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

What immediately comes to mind when you hear the word “stability?” Then, what’s the opposite of stability?

At this year’s Men’s Hibernacle, all our bible study and teaching were focused on the concept of Spiritual Stability.  One might, in naivety or foolishness, ask, “Who in the world needs that?” Yet, in reality, many believers (you know them) are spiritually unstable, constantly up and down, turning here, turning there and continuously being tossed around, like a cork in the sea by every wind of doctrine.  Would you consider that spiritual stability? 

In Ephesians 4:11-16 Paul anticipates this perilous position that individual believers and even Christ’s Church would find themselves/herself ensnared by.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children (infant/babe), tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,  from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Accordingly, our Lord gave certain leadership offices to His church for the exact purpose of “stability,” bringing His church and its congregants into maturity … “growing up in all aspects into Him!”

We are not to be:

  1. Children (in thinking and actions, in spiritual development)
  2. Tossed here and there by every wind (ever changing in direction, fluctuating, surging) of doctrine
  3. Led about by ever changing, non-biblical doctrines (faddish “cool” concepts) that sweep through the church
  4. Led about by the trickery of church leaders (both men and women who are frauds, ear ticklers – See 2 Timothy 4:3-4)
  5. Led about by craftiness in deceitful scheming (subtle trickery)

Instead, we are to “grow up in all aspects into Him!” Growing up moves one from instability to stability.  Watch a baby learn to walk, or a beginning gymnast on a balance beam. Remember your first bicycle experience?  All pictures of instability, yet ultimately stability prevails.  How about in one’s Christian walk … are you running in maturity or teeter- tottering like an infant, stumbling, whining, fearful, even at times returning to a crawl?  Well, here is a clear path and 5 steps to spiritual stability from Philippians 4:1-9 that Pastor/Teacher David Ice shared with us at Hibernacle 2020! Get out your Bibles and dig in.

We stand firm (vs 1) (become spiritually stable) by proceeding in the following path:

Step 1 – Resolve to live in harmony with other Christians/Believers (vs 2 & 3)

Step 2 – Determine to face life’s circumstances with joy (vs 4)

Step 3 – Make it your ambition to be known for a gentle spirit (vs 5)

Step 4 – Talk to God about everything (vs 6)

Step 5 – Dwell (think/focus) on the things of the Lord (vs 8)

Step 6 – Practice what you’ve been given (vs 9)

THE PROMISE FOR ALL WHO STAND FIRM (vs 7 & 9b)    

The obvious consequence of spiritual stability is awesome!  Something each of us need in our lives on a daily basis. However, one must honestly evaluate … take an inventory on one’s own life to determine if “spiritual stability” exists and to what degree. Wise, godly counsel may also be a great help when determining how you’re doing. The simple test is to go through each step, grading yourself with 1 being not at all, up to 5 representing most of the time. As I did an honest evaluation, the weaknesses were clearly revealed and I embraced a definite and distinct plan of action to stand firm in spiritual stability.

Will you join me?  — Pastor Frank (Please study and consider James 1:5-8 as well.)   

ABRAHAM’S BOSOM

Posted on by West Oaks Fellowship

In Luke 16:22, one finds a distinct contrast in the temporary destiny of two individuals after each of their physical deaths. One, Lazarus – a poor man, is found in “Abraham’s Bosom,” while the other, a rich man, is found being tormented and bound up in a place called Hades (the place of departed souls or aka – hell).

According to verse 23, there is a great separation or distance  (a great, permanently-fixed chasm according to vs 26) between the rich man (who is experiencing on-going suffering and unquenchable, insatiable thirst … “in this flame” – vs 24) and Lazarus (who is resting in the comfort of Abraham’s Bosom – vs 25).

In this biblical text, Jesus is teaching within the framework and context of Hebrew / Jewish / Rabbinical understanding, which divides the place where departed souls abide … allowing only two very distinct categories.  One holding place is for the righteous — known as the Bosom of Abraham or Abraham’s Bosom, and one for the unrighteous … known as Hades, Hell, Death’s Domain, the Underworld and / or Realm of the Dead. Here, the lost await the 2nd resurrection unto judgment (the Great White Throne -Revelation 20:11-15) and ultimately, as well as finally, the Lake of Fire.

However, the New Testament presents a different perspective for genuine believers, with our souls departing to be in the presence of Christ (Philippians 1:21-23, John 12:25-26, 2 Corinthians 5:6-9, 2 Timothy 6:4-8) while awaiting the continuation / completion of the first resurrection unto life and reward.

Abraham’s Bosom is a place of rest and peace, with the idea being born out of genuine fellowship / relationship. The custom of reclining on couches at a table was prevalent among the Jews, as well as some other middle eastern cultures. This type of seating arrangement brought the head of one person almost into the bosom area of the one who sat or reclined above, beside, or behind another. Thus, to be in the “Bossom of Abraham” meant to be comfortably enjoying that arrangement / alignment in the happiness and rest of whatever event, celebration, or banquet had brought everyone together. In Matthew 8:11, Christ makes reference to this symbolic arrangement, “recline (or dine) at the table with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.”

Each person leaned on his left arm, as to lay, in the bosom of the next.  The highest place of honor was this position in the bosom of the honored guest, or the master of the host house.

This is clearly depicted in John 13:23 –

There was reclining on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.

To be in, lie in, or rest in Abraham’s Bosom, was a phrase illustrating the most highly-blessed repose in close nearness to the patriarchal father of the faithful at a feast / celebration in paradise!

This is a beautiful image for God’s people, but our promise as New Testament believers seems more delightful as we come to rest in the presence of the Creator (Colossians 1:15-20) … and that, my friends, is certainly something worthy of all our praise … and indeed, something to shout about! 

His & Yours, PF