Looking out for Number 1?

Do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others.  Philippians 2:4

The verse is familiar. The concept is, too. But the actual application is often as foreign as it could possibly be. When the rubber meets the road, we are too often just plain selfish.

 It seems that the way to be happy is to please ourselves. To pursue the fulfillment of what makes us happy. To have what we want. To do as we prefer.

But the truth is, that path leads to misery, not joy. Pleasing ourselves is like an insatiable monster who keeps demanding to be fed...the more you feed it, the more it demands. And the gladness that seemed to be promised never comes.

What's the solution?

The verse does not tell us to completely abandon our own interests. We are still to feed ourselves, get enough rest, replenish our minds and spirits and hearts, We can still enjoy the good gifts from our Father.

Just not to the exclusion of the interests of others!

The Greek word that we translate "look out for" literally means " to aim for, to seek as a goal". When I think about it that way, it seems to me that what Scripture is urging us towards here is a mindset. Do we set as a priority the meeting of our own needs above those of others? Or are we willing to trust God to supply what we need (including time for replenishment!) and make it our aim to see that the needs of others are prioritized?That, dear friends, is a key to JOY. The happiest - most JOYFUL - people are the ones who give and serve.

What is God like?

The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork Psalm 19:1

Ever wonder what God is like?  Maybe you even wonder if there is one!

Look up.  See for yourself. 

Examine the skies.  Their expanse.  Their beauty.  Their unsearchable heights. 

In the daytime.  The skies cause us to open our eyes wide in appreciation.

At night.  They take our breath away.

The glory of God declared. 

His works displayed.

Too majestic for words.  Too mysterious for explanation.  Too wonderful to ignore.

Worthy of all our praise.

Today at noon.  Tonight before bed.  Go look up.  See for yourself.  The glory of God.

The walk of faith

For we walk by faith and not by sight 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Practically, how do we walk by faith?  Well, first let’s look at what it means to walk by sight.  Walking by sight means that I am governed by my emotions (or hormones!) or my circumstances.  To walk by faith is the antithesis of that – my behavior is not dictated by what I feel like nor what is happening around me.  Instead, I obey what His Word tells me to do…I am controlled – empowered – by His Spirit within me.  The life of faith is one of obedience.  To Him.

Trust – be confident – that He is at work within you, perfecting you, at work around you to accomplish His plan.  He wants us to be whole even more than we want it for ourselves! 

What is He speaking to you about today?  When you quiet your heart before Him, what is He telling you to do?  To share a good word with a neighbor?  To forgive someone who has wronged you? To give generously? To cease from a certain activity, even if it’s not a sinful one? To reconcile with a family member or a friend?

It seems counterintuitive but when we walk by sight, we are unsteady, weak, uncertain and easily thrown off course.  But when we walk by faith, we are sure, confident, strong, and effective.

The "why" of our blessings....

“What a blessing!” “I am so blessed”. We toss that idea around about everything from a promotion at work to a new car or a healthy report from the doctor.  Certainly God is generous to us and often gives us so many wonderful gifts of His grace for us to enjoy. But we would do well to understand His purpose in the blessings He bestows. That very well might change how we steward them…

In Genesis 12:2, God tells Abraham “I will make you a great nation and I will bless you. And make your name great and so you shall be a blessing.”

Instead of seeing God’s generosity as something for us to enjoy or even as a sign of His preference towards us, let’s view blessings like our good health and our material prosperity as a means to bless others. May we be like the church at Corinth whom Paul commended because “at this present time your abundance being a supply for their want.”  Rather than being a place where blessings stop for self-consumption, may we be a vessel through which God pours His gifts out to others.

The Language of Love

A number of years ago, a book about "love languages" became widely popular.  The book explained how people give love, as well as feel loved, differently.  Some folks express love to others with acts of service while some of us employ words of affirmation, gifts, spending quality time together, or meaningful touch to convey love.  Great read - I recommend you check it out.

As good as the book is, however,  it leaves out the primary love language of my family.  In my family of origin, my husband's family, and our own little brood, we speak "LOVE" with "F-O-O-D".  No doubt about it. You might prefer flowers or perfume but we give and receive love with something good to eat.   Often you hear mention of "comfort food"but this is way bigger than that!  I am talking about the ability to channel affection, affirmation, appreciation, ardor, or adulation with chocolate cookies!

Maybe it's a Southern thing but my family speaks "LOVE" with food. When a friend has a new baby, we take food. ( For the Mom and Dad - we figure they can feed the baby.)  When someone has a tough week, I bake my chocolate chip pie. If you move in to my neighborhood, you might get chicken and dumplings or a big pot of homemade chili. In December, a small group of cherished friends get my Chambers Christmas Jam and yeast rolls.  Birthdays at my house call for the celebrant's favs which might be oatmeal scones, cheese grits or homemade Cheerio bars for breakfast.  Reuben sandwiches (or Barberitos!) for lunch.  And dinner of steak or shrimp or corn spoon bread.  Candles have been stuck in ice cream sandwich cakes, coconut sheet cakes, or chocolate chip cookies. Even the crews that have been doing some work on my house lately have been treated to cinnamon rolls, caramel popcorn, and lots of cookies.   Whatever tastes like love.

Now I not only dispense love via food, I receive it, too.  When I go home (as in "where Mama and Daddy live"), my Mama makes fried chicken and creamed corn and sausage balls and fudge.  And "The Mix" - which is her own secret dish for her grandchildren.  When she comes to vist, she brings goodies that are specific to each person's individual palette.  Sure feels like love when she remembers that Mary likes ramen noodles, Chip wants sausage balls, Betsy craves PopTarts (cuz her own Mom won't buy them!) and Katie loves chocolate chip cookies dough. 

This language of love is such an integral part of my emotional DNA that I married a man whose family speaks (or tastes!) the same way.  My dear Mother-in-Love makes oatmeal-peanut butter-chocolate cookies that I know will be served in Heaven.  In fact, my term for them is "righteousness" - the more you eat, the more you want!  And for my husband's birthday or when we gather at her house for holidays or just when she wants to love on us, we are treated to a great big batch of these goodies.  (I have been known to hide them from the rest of my family but that is probably an issue for another blog.  Or a counseling session.)

I don't see it as an expanding waistline - I just feel loved.  When a friend showed up with chicken tetrazzini the day I had some above average demands on me, I felt loved.  When my BFF brought dinner the day we brought my grandson home from the hospital, I felt loved. When some amazing and precious friends offered to make food for Katie's wedding reception, you can bet I felt loved.  One of 'em even DESIGNED the Groom's cake to reflect the drug-dealin' Bride and Groom!!!!  When my dear friend (and pastor's wife!) delivers a loaf of homemade bread to me, I feel loved.  When my 10 year old makes her chocolate sheet cake, we ALL feel loved! 

I want to hear from you all.  What makes YOU feel loved?  (And if it's food, feel free to share a recipe or two!)

Originally appeared on October 3, 2012