4610 Time

What do you do when you are stressed, maybe even wounded or

brokenhearted? Where do you turn when the pain or anxiety won’t go away? Do
you run and hide or do you turn to Him, to His Word? There is healing in His
Word and in obedience to His Word. Let’s look at these two verses again:

Cease striving and know that I am God;

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

It is interesting to realize that the Hebrew word chosen by the Holy Spirit of God
in Psalm 46:10 (strive) is the same Hebrew word chosen by the Holy Spirit of
God in Psalm 147:3. It is the word “rapha;” you may recognize it’s meaning as
“to heal.” We can understand this also to mean “let fall, let drop, to withdraw.”
The word picture painted here is one of relaxing the hands, letting down. The
obvious transliteration in Psalm 147:3 is “heal.”
In the midst of our busyness, our stress, our goal-oriented lifestyles, we don’t
even realize that we have the need for healing! It is a healed spirit that can rest
in the presence of God Almighty and long to know Him more.
Are you at a point in your life where you need to cease striving, to rest in His
hand, to be sheltered under His wing? Maybe you’re here this weekend looking
to God for some needed healing or direction. Search God out. Be still, and know
that He is God and He will be exalted among the nations (in your life, as well).
As you dig deeper into His word this morning, ask Him to open your eyes and
your heart to what He desires to reveal to you, what changes He needs to make
in you. Space is available for you to put your thoughts and prayers in writing.
Pray now with the Apostle Paul :
That I may know Him……..

Have you ever gone through an automatic car wash………….Be still, Be

quiet, “Relax your grip, give me control.”

After sharing an impressive resume’, The Apostle paul announces in verse 8 that
he considers it all rubbish in light of the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ
Jesus His Lord. With all of the sincerity of heart, answer this question:
Who is Jesus to me?

According to Philippians 3:3, we are the true circumcision who

1) ______________________________________________
2) ______________________________________________
3) ______________________________________________

As women, it is so natural for us to feel the need to “just do something!” Paul’s

response to Jesus’ presence in His life was to worship in the Spirit, glory in Christ
Jesus and put no confidence in his own flesh. This picture if empty of Paul and
full of God!

Do you think we can become so programmed to “do” that we miss Paul’s

example of worshipping in the Spirit and glorying in Christ? In her book, No
Vacancy, Haven Parrott shares this story:

A friend o fmine decided to help her busy husband by mowing their

lawn. A woman of spunk and determination, Katherine fired the mower
right up and began to push. She muscled that mower around trees and
up their moderately-sloped front yard. She fought laboriously to restrain
it when it threatened to get away from her on the down slope. Before
long, Katherine’s beautiful face had transformed from pleasantly flushed
and glistening with moisture to a decidedly crimson shade, dripping with
perspiration. The job was much more difficult than she’d ever imagined
it could be! She sweated and strained, pushed and pulled, and swore
to herself she’d never mow again!
That evening, she related the exhausting experience to her hauband:
“”Honey, I never knew what a chore it is to mow the yard. How in the
world do you have the strength to do that week, after week?” Flexing
his bicepts a bit, David replied, “Thanks, dear, but it’s really not so
diffucult since we bought that self-propelled mower. It really makes a
world of difference.” After a moment of stunned silence, Katherine
yelled, “What do you mean SELF-PROPELLED!?”

What a beautiful picture of the Spirit-filled, Spirit-propelled life! Read verses 12 –

14 of Chapter 3 and circle the verbs that Paul uses to identify his actions.

Print Verses Here

Did you notice that he repeats the phrase, “press on?” Just what does it mean to
‘press on?” Perhaps it’s worth a little investigation.
Does it mean ‘the busier, the better?
Does it mean that I must continually remind myself of my sin and shame?
Does it mean that if I miss an opportunity to serve or share Christ that I’ve blown
it beyond all hope of repair?
Does it mean that I must prepare meals for every sick person I know?
Does it mean that if I can’t answer in this devotional study, I’m a failure?
…and the list could go on and on and on!

We can find the answer to “pressing on” by carefully following Paul’s train of
thought between verses 6 and 14. How does he describe his life before knowing
Christ?

As to zeal, a _______________ of the church

We know from Acts 8 and various other passages in the New Testament that
Saul (his name was changed to Paul at some point during his first missionary
journey) was in hearty agreement with the stoning of Stephen. Would you agree
that that Paul zealously opposed the Christians (members of The Way), and
sought after their destruction with every fiber of his being?

The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to use the same word “diodo” translated as
“persecute” in verse 6 and later translated as “press on” in verses 12 and 14.
“Diodo” paints the picture of a pursuit with all eagerness and diligence in order to
obtain the desired result. So what’s the message here?
Our ‘pressing on” is not just something we do, it’s the attitude of our hearts that
motivates us to action. With every bit of fervor that Paul had to persecute the
church of Jesus Christ, he had more zeal to know Christ. His every thought,
passion and desire was to know Jesus more.

Where does desire and passion originate? Read verse 12 once again. There’s
your answer! You were laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Ask Him to increase your
passion for knowing Him! Don’t struggle to push the lawnmower when it’s self-
propelled!
Remember, beloved, we are the ‘true circumcision.” You are precious and
valuable to God, not because of any contribution of your own, but because of His
great love and desire for you. If the ability to ‘cease striving’ is what you need
this morning, then be still before Him and delight yourself in His Word concerning
those who have believed and received His gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ:
VERSES

(possibly insert an invitation here)

Just from these few references, list those blessings that have been bestowed
upon you JUST BECAUSE God loves you:

Philippians 3:8 proves that Paul recognized the value of his self-propelled
achievements in light of surpassing value of knowing Christ. Have our eyes been
opened to the same thing? In our culture, Saul (BC Paul) would have been
deemed a high-achiever, always striving to reach a little higher, to be a little
better and do a little more than the next guy. He probably even stayed an hour
longer at the Temple just the to prove his diligence! Maybe he even worked
through the coffee breaks!

Read through Philippians 3:3-6 once again and underline Paul’s credentials.
“For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in
Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have
confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the
flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, ….found blameless.”

Do you see the 3 differences between true believers and just high-achievers?
Remember, Paul worshipped in the Spirit of God, meaning that his focus was on
God’s divine work, not human acheivement. He gloried in the person and work
of Jesus Christ. Because we were created by God, we have the abilities to do
many things and do them well. How much better to desire to do whatis beyond
our natural ability and can only be accomplished through the supernatural power
of Jesus Christ working in our life. It is then that we can glory in the person and
work of Christ. Paul’s confidence was in Jesus Christ. He knew that his very life
and death lie in the power and control of Christ (Phil. 1:19-20 For I know that this
(his imprisonment) shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the
provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and
hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness,
Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by
death).
 Did you notice how Paul characterized his achievements? As to the Law a
Pharisee)…as to zeal (a persecutor of the church)…as to righteousness
(blamesess).” Could this for us today represent our “achievements?” How would
you fill in the blanks?
…as to Law _________________
…as to Zeal _________________
…as to Righteousness __________________
Don’t zoom through this exercise. Take some time and ask God to reveal to you
any area of self-proclaimed boasting rights.

Lisa… FYI…..Transition to Joy here

In Paul’s mind, his letter to the Philippian believers could have very well been his
last letter to anyone. He was on death row and his name was due to be called at
any moment. How could this letter possibly ring with the tones of inexpressible
joy? The answer is simple: Paul knew His Jesus. Knowing Christ personally
and intimately brings joy in the midst wonderful and especially difficult
circumstances.

When you hear the word “joy,” what comes to your mind?

Just as circumcision was the outward sign for God’s chosen people, Abraham’s
offspring, joy is the outward, visible sign of those Paul calls the “true
circumcision.” It is the product of God’s grace to us; it is the calm at the bottom
of the ocean floor when the tempest is raging; it is the attitude of Christ when He
faced the cross to buy us back from the slave market of sin. James instructs the
believers of the early church: Consider it all joy, brethren, when you encounter
various trials, for the testing of your faith produces endurance. As you endure in
the midst of trials, Jesus’ lap is the only place to find the strength, comfort,
encouragement and the will to continue one. The result? You now know Him
more! Awesome, huh?

Just as there were joy stealers in the early church, there are joy stealers today.
By identifying a few of these, perhaps it will be easier to recognize the thief who
comes to steal, kill and destroy your joy. (for example: circumstances, emotions,
people, etc)

As ladies in Twenty-first century America, we are bombarded with propaganda

concerning our appearance, our rights, our popularity. Quite frankly, it’s often
hard to remember that our worth is determined by God’s Word and not Oprah or
Martha Stewart! Where do you find joy? Is it in the Lord and His goodness and
sufficiency for your every need or is it in one of the following?

My child growing up to be the next Billy Graham

Advancing in my career
Personal recognition form my pastor or other church leaders
 The ‘right’ weight, height, dress size
Living in the ‘right’ neighborhook
Heading up a particular ministry
Having the longest prayer list
Being in the ‘know’ of church business or office business
Using by spiritual gift(s)
Being in the “in crowd”

“Joy” or “Rejoice” appears sixteen times in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Can
you list sixteen reasons be joyful? Maybe you would like to list a few and
continue this process as you continue to know Him more.

Pause and ask God for His revelation and direction. Maybe you would like to
pray something like this:
“Dear Father in heaven, I know that Your desire for me is that I would have joy,
pure and full joy that only comes from You. I ask you to manifest this fruit of the
Spirit in my life. Open my eyes, Lord, and reveal truth ~ the truth of myself, that I
may see me as You see me. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.”

On the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-5), Paul’s life and focus was changed. His
focus on personal achievements and service to God are now for a completely
different reason. No longer is his focus on achieving what Paul can achieve; he
is pressing on, stretching toward the goal of knowing Christ.

All of the awards, applause, victories and credits that were once the foundation of
his righteousness and pride are gone…changed…removed…released. In place
of the arrogant, boastful Pharisee now lived a humble believer who admitted his
neediness and spiritual bankruptcy.

True, pure joy is found in knowing Him. This is our goal as believers: self-
emptying and Christ-filling. These are the hopes of a born-again high achiever:
to know Christ more intimately, to draw upon His resurrection power more
increasingly and to enter into His sufferings more personally that we might be
conformed to His image more completely.

Lord, make this my mindset. May this be said of me. Help me shift my focus so
my attitude will forever be……that I may know Him. Amen
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