Week 11: Philippians 2:8-9

Philippians 2:8,9: And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,

1. Don't you just love how this passage abruptly ends at a climax?  Most of us know what's coming (and indeed, it's next week's section of memorization), but the Fighter Verse program chooses to cut off this week at verse 9.  How... peculiar.
2. Building on last week's sections, we now turn to Jesus being human.  He gave up his Godhood for a while to become 100% Man.  As I mentioned last week, this was an enormous act of humility, and now verse 8 points out truly how humble Jesus became, insomuch that he willingly died.  Not only was His obedience to the point of death, but it was death on a cross.  This put Jesus in the curse of God (see Deut 21:23), though He was blameless and without sin.
1. I marvel at His love for us.  He is an amazing God.
3. God has highly exalted him.  Because of Jesus' obedience and sacrifice--voluntary actions born of love--God has highly exalted him.  Jesus, in turn, takes this honor and glorifies the Father.  This is somewhat a confusing relationship, since Jesus is part of the Trinity, and thus God and part of our worship.  Even so, Jesus takes this exaltation and points it to the Father.
4. and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.  Is this simply the name "Jesus," or is it something new that we will not know until we're in heaven?  I suppose it could be both, but I'm unsure.

This passage is exciting and awesome and wonderful and it just makes me want to post up next week's now, but I shall restrain myself.  If you can't wait, though, go on and read verses 10 and 11 and praise God when you're finished.

Week 10: Philippians 2:5-7

Philippians 2:5-7:  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

1. This is one of those great verses that reiterates the fact that Jesus gave up his Godness to become fully man.  Yes, he was still 100% God, but he did not utilize that.  He did not even count equality with God a thing to be grasped.  Instead, Jesus became "nothing" by taking the form of a servant, one born of Man.  He suffered and loved everyone, counting himself lowly so God would be glorified.
1. This passage again serves to remind us of how we should act if we are trying to be Christ-like.  Jesus was the ultimate servant and his humbleness is amazing.  We're expected to live with a humble attitude if we're going to be like the Savior.  This whole passage points to Jesus' humility (as do the next two memory verses), and we should keep this lifestyle in mind always.

Being humble is something many of us have problems with.  It goes completely against ourselves.  Too often we're willing to help others or be humble, but we have limits to how "low" we'll go.  Jesus had no limits.  He loved everyone, and took the ultimate shame by dying on the cross.  It's also interesting to see the dichotomy between Jesus and Satan here.  The devil is proud and exalts himself, while Jesus is humble and points all glory back to the Father. 

Week 9: 1 John 2:15-17

1 John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.  And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of the Father abides forever.

1. A stern and solid warning to not love the world or the things in it.  If we do, the love of the Father is not in us.  This is sobering and an excellent fighter verse, providing the clear and obvious truths we often seek in Scripture.  How much plainer can it get?
1. What are the things that are in the world?  The desires of the flesh and eyes, as well as pride in possessions.  This tells us to not be selfish, but to deny ourselves.  By being selfless and giving--loving God and others, as it were--we will not yield to these desires.
2. This is not talking about the people that are in the world, for we are to love them wholeheartedly.  Jesus didn't look at the woman at the well and turn her away, but He loved on her and gave her Living Water.  Likewise, we should be loving on the people of this world.  As Jesus said, He didn't come to save the righteous, but sinners.
2. It's also a motivating set of verses, point blank saying that the world is passing away, with those that are lost in it.  This should fan the flame within us to go and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ around to all we can. 
3. Whoever does the will of the Father abides forever.  This is such a simple tag at the end of these verses, yet it is profound.  In it we have the very key to eternal life.  How?  By doing the will of the Father.  How do we do that?  By following the two commandments Jesus called the greatest: love God with all our heart, soul, body, and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves.  How do we love?  By professing Jesus as our Savior and walking in His ways.  What are His ways?  Seeking first the kingdom of God all for God's glory.  And that's the trump card.  Whatever we do, do it for the glory of God.

Week 8: Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.

1. We are free from the chains of sin and this world and no longer guilty of our iniquities.  Why?  Because Jesus, God’s only son, took on the weight of our sins and was sacrificed to atone for them.  Where we once were condemned to death, Jesus instead took our places.
1. How many of us live though as if we are free?  Too often we live in chains and in bondage, as if we are still condemned.  Condemned means "to be sentenced to a particular punishment, especially death."  We fail to see the liberty that Jesus has given us.  Without His sacrifice, God would be just in condemning us each to hell for our sins (Romans 3:23) for eternity.  Instead, the perfect, spotless Lamb of God willingly took on our sins and died so that we could have everlasting life.  This is staggering.  And those of us that live our lives as if we are condemned might as well be smacking Jesus in the face, saying yeah, your sacrifice was great, but really it's not enough for me.  We should all wake up and bow down to God, thanking Him for His love and mercy, for lifting our condemnation, for giving us life and reason and joy.
2. I read a very poignant passage in Job over the weekend.  Job's friend Elihu shows up and eloquently praises God.  In Job 36:8-12, he talks about people being bound in chains and ultimately dying by the sword and without knowledge.  Jesus has broken all chains that bind us, freeing us (Galatians 5:1,13), giving us liberty so that we can live a life that glorifies Him.  We're not to be bound to anything, and we have this freedom because of what Jesus did.  There is no condemnation for us.  Let's live like that and see how the world changes.
2. to those who are in Christ Jesus.  There is still condemnation for those without the blood of Jesus.  While He died for the sins of all, many do not accept His sacrifice, tragically, and condemn themselves to an eternity outside of God’s presence.

I really, really like the book of Romans a lot.  If you've not read it in a while, I encourage you to do so and be blown away by the love of God.  Also, if you're living life in bondage, floundering around in fear or indecisiveness, I encourage you to pick up Kevin DeYoung's Just Do Something (my review is here).  This short and potent book is a game-changer that I wish many American churchgoers would read.

Week 7: Psalm 62:5-8

Psalm 62:5-8: For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him.  He only is my rock and salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.  On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock.  My refuge is God.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us.  Selah.

1. Wait in silence.  How often do we miss the whisper in the wind where the Spirit speaks to us?  We’re so caught up in “noise” that our minds are filled with a static that blocks what God is saying to us, either through His Word or through the gentle prompting of the Spirit.  We must wait in silence sometimes in order to listen.
2. He only is my rock and salvation, my fortress.  There is none other but God who is our firm foundation, built solidly on the rock and unmovable.  This fortress will not shake when the world rumbles around it, for God is my hope, my fortress, my rock, my salvation, my glory.  What can cause Him to quake?  What can move His foundation?  He is my refuge and the only certainty in life’s uncertainties.
3. Always trust in God, when life is rosy and wonderful, and even more so when it’s difficult and rough.  He will never fail us.  More so, He wants us to pour our hearts out before Him, confessing our fears, our aspirations, our deepest desires.  He listens to us, and when we have no words, the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26) on our behalf!  How awesome is it that the Creator of the Universe wants us to pour our hearts out before Him!
4. Selah.  Unsure exactly of this words meaning, I like the interpretation of “pause and reflect.”  Think about this psalm.  Think about the promises made by God's constant refuge.  Take comfort in God’s constant provision and stronghold.  Praise Him for His love for us. 

 This passage was particularly difficult for me to memorize because I kept singing the "Psalm 62" song by Shane & Shane in my head as I did.  While the song is pretty much the same words, it's a different translation and some additional stuff.  Check it out, if you've never heard the song.  And if you like, listen to the rest of their catalog.  Great stuff all around.

Week 6: Psalm 56:4,5

Psalm 56:4,5: When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.  What can flesh do to me?

1. We have no reason to ever be afraid of anything other than God.  He alone is worthy of fear.  Everything else is as nothing compared to the Creator, especially flesh.  As long as we serve God through following His Son, then the Spirit dwells within us and God sees us as His children.  From this, God is a loving God who no doubt loves His children, and there is nothing that can be done to separate us from God’s love.  Thus, there is no reason to fear.
1. Of course, we're human, and we cannot truly rid ourselves of fear.  Even the disciples were plagued by their humanity, calling out "It's a ghost!" when they saw Jesus walking on water.  Still, if we accept the fact that God is the only thing to fear, this will help us.
2. Honestly, even if we endured 80 years of torture and excruciating agony, isolation, and abuse but we still had Jesus, what is 80 years?  It’s nothing compared to the glory of eternity with God.  So what can flesh do to us?  Nothing.  In the eternal view, this life is not even a dot on the infinite timeline of God's Will.

Humorously, I memorized this passage by creating a simple little rap in my head.  It seems to break down perfectly for rhyme/rhythm.

Week 5: Romans 12:1,2

Romans 12:1,2:  “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1. In light of the previous verses, that everything is from, through, and to God, Paul urges the recipients of this letter to present their bodies to God.  Why?  Because it is the ultimate act of worshiping to completely surrender to the Creator.
1. living sacrifice is an interesting choice of words.  It seems oxymoronic, but considering Jesus’s command to “take up the cross and follow Him,” it makes sense.  He was the final sacrifice to atone for our sins, appeasing God’s wrath.  We’re called to emulate Jesus and thus live sacrificially, willing to give up everything God asks of us, completely submitting our being to Him.
2. spiritual worship also is intriguing.  I don’t understand how there could be any other type of worship other than spiritual.  Physical worship makes sense, with raising hands and singing songs, but I would call this an act born from spiritual worship.  I suppose some can “physically worship” without “spiritually worshiping” as hypocrites.
3. Is using “by the mercies of God” the same as Paul saying, “for the love of God, do this!  It’s serious!”?  Perhaps.  If so, and I suspect it is, then I find this funny.  It brings a smile to my face when I read Scripture and I bust out laughing (cf Leviticus 13:41).
2. Do not be conformed to this world.  We’re to be in the world but not of the world.  We’re to love others, but we’re citizens of a different kingdom, where God reigns.  Also, this world implies that there is another world or home, which will be the New Heaven and New Earth created in the future.
3. Being transformed by the renewal of your mind is such an important part of walking with Jesus.  We cannot serve two masters, and if we’re not completely submitted to a master’s rule then we’re serving with less than full commitment.  Jesus wants us to completely surrender to Him, forsaking our loyalty to ourselves and our pride.  Doing this, keeping our eyes on Him, is how we renew our minds.
1. Why?  So we can know the will of God and how to act.  If our minds are renewed and transformed, they will be set on God, and if they’re set on Him, then the Spirit within us is obvious, and our actions and thoughts will be guided by Him.
1. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
2. How?  Complete and utter surrender.  We have to wholly submit ourselves to God, shirking our identities and becoming new in Jesus.  Practically, emulate Jesus as best as possible, praying for mercy & guidance; read the bible to ingest God’s Word; pray to God to speak to the Father.

These two verses, along with the previous week's memory verses, are ones I constantly go back to.  It's not a daily thing to have transformation, but it's a moment-by-moment, thought-by-thought thing.  A paradigm shift, if you will.  I pray often for my mind to transform and conform to the image of Jesus, that I may be more and more like Him.

I also love the sacrificial language of these verses.  The entire OT is littered with it, as the Israelites had to sacrifice in order to have forgiveness.  Interestingly, God didn't abolish the sacrificial system completely (though, thankfully He did get rid of what we typically think of as a sacrifice), but He switched from using animals and grains to His People.  We are now living sacrifices to God Almighty, not for forgiveness of sin (that was Jesus Christ's sacrifice), but as an act of worship.  And that's awesome.