Philippians 4:2-9
Reflect
What’s growing in your garden?
This fall we cut back a significant amount of our perennials in preparation for the winter months. As we pruned the leaves, vines, and branches, there were some unwelcome plants found in among the foliage. Some of the unwelcome growth was large and well-established. It was clear that while we had been watering and fertilizing our flower garden, we had also been nourishing uninvited flora.
Paul challenges the Philippian church to strive for unity in their fellowship and to cultivate a thankful and joyful attitude. This kind of cultivation includes weeding out arguing, cutting off impure thoughts and presenting our worries and concerns to the Lord in prayer. Paul furthers this by encouraging his listeners to promote the growth of those things that focus on what is true, noble, right, pure and lovely. Paul challenges the Philippians and all of us to make this way of living a regular practice.
Apply
What is growing in the garden of your attitude? Take some time today to do a little digging, maybe a little pruning and lean into all that is excellent and praiseworthy.
Pastor Mike
Pray
- Pray for our Senior Lead Team Pastor, Lyle Buyer, his ministry, and family.
- Pray for our Church Board members: Beth Cheung, Gerhard Hiob, Hal Reirson, JD Kliewer, Mary Jetha, Mike Ross, Randy Voss, Seth Jansen, Trevor Toews, Uwem Okome.
- Pray for our Custodians, Adit Gamble, Stan Goodnough and Anne King; Facilities Manager, Joe Richards.
- Pray for our office staff: Vicky Bailey, Naomi Voss; bookkeeper Liudmyla Lushchyk.