Grow Up in Your Salvation

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3 

Like newborn babies, God creates us to crave spiritual milk.

When we are fed spiritually, we are able to grow.

And to mature in our salvation.

We have tasted that the Lord is good..

And we are blessed.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”  — Philippians 2:14

God's Word tells us that we live in a warped and crooked world.

And we are part of a warped generation of people.

Even so, He calls us to a higher standard.

To do everything without grumbling.

So we can become blameless and pure.

Avoiding arguments.

Living for Jesus, our Savior.

That You May Be Able To Discern What Is Best

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. — Philippians 1:9-10

Paul's prayer for the people in Philippi is the same as our prayer today.

That God's love may grow in us.

That our knowledge of Him may deepen and grow.

That God wiill illuminate His Word to us so we can understand and obey it.

So we have insight into God's will for us.

That we can be discerning and do what God wills is best.

So He can use me for His purpose.

And can mold me into someone pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

This is my prayer, too..

This Is My Prayer

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. — Philippians 1:9-10

Paul wants his friends in Philippi to grow in love.

So their love may spread and deepen.

That's our prayer for today, too.

That we will grow in knowledge and depth of insight.

And that we can discern what's best.

So we can be pure and blameless.

Ready for the day of Christ's coming.

Wisdom that Comes From Heaven

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. — James 3:17-18

The wisdom that comes from God is pure.

When Solomon asked God for wisdom, He gave it to Solomon along with riches and property.

True wisdom is considerate of others.

It submits to God's will.

This type of wisdom is of full mercy.

It bears good fruit.

This wisdom is impartial and sincere.

God calls us to be peacemakers.

So that through Him, we may reap a harvest of righteousness.

Whatever Is Right, Whatever Is Pure

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 

God wants me to fill my mind with thoughts of Him and His goodness.

Whatever is true — to think of true things.

Whatever is noble, rather than things that fill my mind with trash.

Things that are right and pure.

Lovely things.

Like this beautiful rose.

And whatever is admirable.

Anything excellent.

Whatever is praiseworthy.

To fill my thoughts with these things.

Help me, Lord.

Do Everything Without Grumbling

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” — Philippians 2:14

It's not easy to do everything without grumbling or arguing.

I like a good grumble now and then.

But the other day I heard a research study about complaining.

The results of the study showed that complaining to coworkers made you feel good initially, but later resulted in more frustration and anger long after the complaining session.

However, when the listening person presented a high-level point of view or helped the complainer see the bigger picture, they were happier about their situation over the long term.

And they then had the skills to empathize but also help others see the bigger picture.

And this resulted in happier and more productive employees who go along better with their supervisors.

My Prayer That Your Love May Abound

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, — Philippians 1:9-10

My prayer is that your love may grow and abound.

This was one of the beaches we hiked to at Dana Point.

For the first few hours we saw nobody else on the beach.

It was beautiful and relaxing.

We thanked God for a beautiful day,

And that afternoon we went back to our hotel to swim in the pool.

The pool was also very empty.

Wisdom That Comes from Heaven

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. — James 3:17

Wisdom that comes from heaven is pure.

I've been reading Song of Songs.

Although it may not have been written by Solomon, it is written in the style of his poetry.

And he was the wisest man on the earth.

Wisdom from God is peace-loving and considerate.

It is submissive, full of mercy and good fruit.

God's wisdom is impartial and sincere.

Give me wisdom, Lord, to follow you each day.

Here are the Rogers boys with Chase and Gary several years ago.

Seven days ago we remembered Gary's passing three years ago.

It's hard to believe he's been gone so long. 

We miss him. And Rita.

Whatever Is True and Noble

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8 

Think on things that are excellent.

Concentrate on things that are praiseworthy.

Whatever is true and noble, think on these things.

Whatever is admirable and lovely, think on these things.

The wonderful things God has given us.

Crave Pure Spiritual Milk

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. — 1 Peter 2:2-3

Taste and see that the Lord is good.

Just a newborn craves milk, God calls us to crave pure spiritual food.

Milk that will nourish our souls.

So that by it we  may grow up in our salvation.

Now that we have tasted that the Lord is good.

May Your Love Abound

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,  filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. — Philippians 1:9-11

I thank God for you, my friends and family, whenever I remember you in my prayers.

And I pray for you, that your love may grow more and more in knowledge and in depth of insight.

I pray that my love will also abound.

That I may be able to discern what is best.

That God will help me to be pure and blameless,

Filled with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control

And filled with righteousness.

All of this comes through Jesus Christ.

To the glory and praise of God.

Able to Discern What Is Best

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,  so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. — Philippians 1:9-10

Today our plumeria began to bloom.

Now we are planning to get another one from our friend Gary.

He has a green thumb when it comes to growing them.

And we are blessed to have been given ours as a gift for Kirk's retirement.

It's beautiful.

And this is my prayer: that your love may grow more and more, just as these flowers are growing.

That your love and mine may about in knowledge and depth.

So that we can discern what is best in God's eyes.

And so that we can be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.

Thankful, we have a merciful God, our Father.

 

Draw Near to God

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:22

Our hearts have been sprinkled with water from baptism by the Holy Spirit..

Our bodies have been washed with pure water from baptism to cleanse us from our guilty conscience.

So we are able to draw near to God with a sincere heart.

He has given us the full assurance that faith brings.

Here is Kirk out a Torrey Pines before social distancing began. 

This week he is taking golf lessons, preparing to hit the green again this summer.

Whatever Is Praiseworthy

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8

First Pres. youth at Forest Home Camp several years ago

This afternoon we had a Christian Education meeting at church.

Only three of us were able to attend, but we accomplished quite a bit.

Afterward, our Christian Ed. Director offered to support me more as I coordinate the high school and middle school Sunday school lessons, find teachers, choose the curriculum, and encourage the older youth to lead in teaching occasionally.

Peggy and I are planning to meet every month or two to touch base, pray for the students, and support each other.

We set a date to get together.

I am grateful and blessed.

The Goal Is Love

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. — 1 Timothy 1:5

God tells us that love comes from a pure heart,

A good conscience,

And a sincere faith.

At times it's hard to show love to others.

Especially when they are unkind or unloving.

But God's love is not conditional.

He does not ask us to wait until people are considerate of us.

He commands us to love them first, just as He loved us.

We love, because He first loved us.

Think About Noble Things

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. — Philippians 4:8

Sometimes it's hard to think about right, pure, and lovely things when my thoughts wander.

But God helps me focus on Him and His love for me.

When I focus on His creation, the beauty of our world, the birds chirping, and flowers blooming, it's much easier to think about admirable things.

Still, it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind and ignore the praiseworthy things nearby.

Thank you, Lord, for helping me to refocus on you.