Philippians 1:3-5 – Gracias, Toda, Mahalo, Spacibo, Danke, and Merci!

“I thank my God every time I remember you. (4) In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy (5) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now…”

Perhaps more than any other statement, this passage sums up how Lynda and I feel about you as WRR staff (past and present).  And not just us, but I am confident I can speak for the Crosbys, the Board of Directors, Don and Sara, Nick and Emily, Becky, and the guests of WRR.  I realize it’s not Thanksgiving yet, but I’m going to take advantage of this passage to express my thanks to you…and to Christ for you. 

Like Paul, I thank God every time I remember you. Lynda and I are continually amazed at the number of young people who are willing to come out to a ranch in Colorado and spend their summer working really hard for very little or no money.  Year after year more of you show up, like manna from heaven, with just the right skills, just the right personality, just the right giftedness to complete the jigsaw puzzle that is the ranch staff.

We want to thank you for sharing part of your lives with us and allowing us to share our lives with you.  Your willingness to serve is a constant encouragement and challenge to us and an incredible example for our children.  Speaking of which, thank you for putting up with, playing with, and loving our children – it makes us so happy to see them interact with you.  And we are also beyond thankful that you help us keep our music tastes up to date. 

Thank you for being who God created you to be!  We are praying for you and thank God for you at every remembrance. Your assignment is to think of someone you are thankful for and tell them what a blessing they are in your life.  The best time to encourage some is right now.

“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” – Hebrews 3:13

Philippians 1:1-2 – One

“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It never ceases to amaze me when New Testament writers call their readers “saints”. I would not consider myself a saint, and I definitely wouldn’t call most of the people I know saints (no offense).  Maybe I would call them, “Pretty nice people,” or “Works in process” or “Church attendees” – but not saints.

The word “saint” comes from the Greek word hagios, which means “consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious." It is almost always used in the plural, “saints,” to describe the church.  When we accept Christ, we become saints, consecrated to God, holy, sacred, and pious. 

Again, you may say, “I know myself and I ain’t no saint!”  God says, “It’s not about you; it’s all about my son Jesus.  Because you follow Him, His righteousness covers you…You are the righteousness of Me in Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:30)…that makes you a saint.”  The God who spoke the heavens into existence declares that you are a saint – so get used to it: you are a saint.

Not only you, but every believer in this great wild world is a saint as well.  If you believe Mr. Google that is 2.18 billion people who professes to being a Christian – nearly one third of the global population.  My question is this: if one out of every three people you meet is a Christ follower, why is this world in such a mess? 

I would think that if 2.18 billion people were seeking justice, serving the poor, loving their neighbor, praying for the nations, and sharing their faith that this would be a much different place.  I’m ashamed that we (and I) make so little difference in the world.  Of course, we cannot dictate how others live out their faith, but we can determine how we will live ours. 

I challenge you to be one of 2.18 billion that lives like a saint: consecrated to God, holy, sacred, and pious.  I challenge you to be one who lives like you are God’s workmanship created to do good works.  I challenge you to be one who will love God and loves others like yourself. I challenge you to be one who lives in the spirit of power that God has given us and not the spirit of timidity that so many of us suffer under. 

Will you be one?  I bet if you will, one or two will follow your lead.  And maybe the faithfulness of a few will lead many others to do the same.  Who knows what God will do? 

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” – John Wesley