Gleanings from Philippians 1:9

Here are my notes from verse 9 of Philippians 1

9: And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment..

Love -> agape: brotherly love, good will

“Brotherly love is not a matter of mere sentimentality; it is love in the truth. This calls for study of the Word of God in order that one may know just how to manifest that love according to each particular occasion.” Ironside

The Philippians had a lot of love, and they showed it to Paul. Yet Paul didn’t hesitate to pray that their love would abound still more and more. It doesn’t matter how much love for others we have; we can still have more! (Guzik)

“That it (love) may be like a river, perpetually fed with rain and fresh streams so that it continues to swell and increase until it fills all its banks, and floods the adjacent plains.” (Clarke) – Visual – like the farms we see here.. overflowing

Abound -> exceed a fixed number of measure, in abundance

Still -> even greater, further

More -> to a greater degree, sooner, more readily, more willingly

Knowledge -> precise and correct knowledge, full discernment (used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine)

Advanced spiritual knowledge – In the NT this word is applied only to spiritual things – to the knowledge of God, religious knowledge, spiritual knowledge, and doctrinal knowledge.  It is a knowledge that comes to the Christian through a study of God’s Word. (Boice)

Discernment -> moral discernment, the understanding in ethical matters
     - Don’t be passive in your knowledge and discernment
     - That in having this precise and correct knowledge and moral discernment, we would grow above and beyond the world’s expectation and measurement of love
     - “Understanding given by the Holy Spirit” (Boice) – The Holy Spirit enables us to discern how love should operate
     - In classical Greek, discern refers to testing someone or something.  It is the technical word for testing money to determine whether or not it is counterfeit.  It occurs in a political context for the testing of a candidate for office.

Prayer: This is as it should be – that we pray for one another.
Philippians 1:4 "always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy..."
Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving"
Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication (entreaty-petition, asking) for all the saints..."
Romans 12:12 "Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer..."

This will change us if we do it.  It will change our relationship to other Christians.  God increases the fellowship by changing you.  Prayer will draw you to other Christians so you will pray jointly for mutual concerns.

Acts 2:42 "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers."

Pray specifically and constantly for one another.

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More to come....

Dawn

Gleanings from Philippians 1:8

Here are some of my (Dawn) study notes from Philippians 1:8-18.  I will break it down one verse at a time.

Verse 8: For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

Witness -> record, one who is a spectator of something

Romans 9:1 gives another example of Paul calling on God to be his witness: “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit.”

Long for -> to yearn, earnestly desire, to pursue with love

Another example of Paul's heart: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.”

Adam Clarke paraphrased Paul’s idea here: “I call God to witness that I have the strongest affection for you, and that I love you with that same kind of tender concern with which Christ loved the world when He gave Himself for it.”

You all -> each and every one of you

In the day of this letter, there were many divisions of people: race, wealth, education, and culture.  There were no bridges for fellowship.  Each group was separate from the others.  There was no fellowship or a brotherhood that joined them.  Christianity was the first and only to bridge the gaps between the groupings.  The Christians were known by their love for one another.  Remember - Lydia, slave, jailor – all very different groupings of life.

Affection -> bowels: the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews it is known as the seat of the tenderer affections, esp. kindness, benevolence, compassion; hence our heart (tender mercies, affections, etc.).

Paul’s .. “interest in the saints at Philippi did not cease with his leaving their city.  Through all the years that had passed he had borne them on his heart, and presented them to God in prayer.” Ironside

“The Lord always looks at His people as they will be when they are done” author unknown – It would be well with us if we could look at our brothers and sister in the same way (Ironside) – It would benefit us if others did the same for us as they can see our imperfections.

A painter has an image in his head of the end result.  He starts painting the base of the image with grays and tans. A friend steps into the work area and the painter asks his friend what he thinks of the paint.  He friend sees the drabness of the grays and tans. The painter smiles and knows what it will look like in the end.

It is not just enough to tolerate other Christians.  You must enjoy their company.  You must learn from them.  Furthermore, this fellowship must be one that is constantly expanding to include other Christians, even those whom you have never met but with whom you are forever united in the Lord.  (Boice)

Look at Romans 16:21 -> for an example of the crossover of groupings, cultures, levels, etc.

Timothy: a resident of Lystra (within Galatia), apparently, whose father was a Greek and mother a Jewess; he was Paul's travelling companion and fellow labourer

Lucius: a man from Cyrene (current day Libya, Africa) who was a prophet and a teacher of the church in Antioch

Jason: a Thessalonian (Macedonia – current day Greece) who entertained Paul and Silas, and could be Paul’s cousin

Sosipater: fellow tribesman of Paul (Achia, Greece)
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I used a few commentaries by the following authors: Boice and Ironside.

More to come!!
Much love,
Dawn

Amazing times

Hi friends and family,
It simply amazes me how quickly time flies.  Here we are starting our third week of classes and it's been how long since our last entry?  Wowsers!  Here is a quick update of what we are up to:

Andrew is teaching the Wisdom of Solomon class which covers Proverbs, Song of Solomon, and Ecclesiastes.  As usual, he is behind the scenes managing the AV area and helping out with vehicles.  On Thursday he plays bass at our Thursday night church service (Koinonia) at CCBI.

Andrew also plays he plays bass at Shoreline Church in Tauranga and helps out with their sound system as needed.  He is a huge blessing to that congregation and when he is not there, he is greatly missed.  I love watching him minister there to that special church family.

Andrew has just started a very special project with some students regarding church planting and I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned.  This is the second semester it has been on his heart and he knocked on the door and 10 or so students/interns/staff have stepped forward showing interest in NZ church planting.  The Lord is stirring hearts!

I (Dawn) was going to teach English Composition this semester but bowed out because I wasn't ready and I didn't want to give a mediocre class to the students that signed up.  Dismayed about letting the students down by cancelling the class, I really took into consideration what would be impacted by keeping the class going.  The costs far outweighed the benefit so I made the hard decision to postpone the class.  Now that I have a textbook, I can better plan for a future semester, whether it next semester or beyond.  I am learning to count the cost.

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.."                    Luke 14:28

I (Dawn) am still serving in the registration role as well as pastoral assistant, but now have a sidekick - Annie!!  She is awesome... like a younger version of myself - but not quite as quirky as me.. which is a huge benefit for her.  We have many of the same tendencies and I love that we speak the same admin language - crazy busy-ness.  We LOVE to be busy.  Yes, it is more like an illness, but we love it.  Letting go of my precious projects is proving a bit trying for me, but I know Annie is a capable.  I just need to let go and let her fly.  Learning.. I am always learning.

I (Dawn) have the chance to teach at the ladies class on Philippians.  I am loving this class so very much!  Paul loved the church in Philippi and to share about his heart and what he went through has been challenging and a blessing.  I will share more about this in a future update.

I (Dawn) have also been growing in a completely different area.  Pastor Doug at Shoreline has invited me to join the worship team.  Oh wow!!  Jittery nerves and knocking knees, I sing with him.  I find I really sing well when I focus in on my Audience of One.  He is why I am there in the first place.  He is the One that I am singing too.  Ignore the Facebook-Live cam.  Phase out the congregation.  Sing to Him.  Lift your eyes to Him.  Let Him see your heart as you sing.  Oh the joy when my heart and eyes are fixed on Him.  So I have a huge growth opportunity there.  It's never a dull moment.

Outreach week is coming up.  We covet your prayers for our teams:
- Fiji Outreach to the slums and then a children's outreach at Moturiki Island.  Leaders are Jordi and Austin.
- Melbourne Outreach to support Calvary Melbourne and serve at their family camp.  Leader is Andrew.
- Wellington Outreach to be a part of Calvary Wellington's VBS that reaches out to the Lower Hutt community.  Leaders are Manny and Vickie.
- Tauranga Outreach to reach out to the community through Shoreline Church.  Leaders are Jen and Alyssa.
- Camp Raglan Outreach to assist in leadership roles at Camp Raglan.  Leaders are Clint, Mackenzie, and Dawn.

Each team has a unique focus.  Our prayer requests for outreach week would be:
- God to work mightily through us and be glorified
- Team unity
- Safe travels
- Healthy teams (no sickness or injury)
- Provision for our needs

Thank you for taking the time to read this lengthy update.  We love you and appreciate you joining us on this journey of faithfulness.

Hugs and much love,
Dawn and Andrew McBride

Prayer Calendar - September 2017

Hello all!!
Please see our prayer calendar.  So sorry it is a bit late.  School is in full swing and I am catching up.  If you would like to receive a PDF version of this calendar, please send us an email at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.

Thank you for praying with us and for us!

Dawn and Andrew McBride

August Prayer Calendar

Hi there,
Here is our August prayer calendar.  If you would like a PDF of this calendar, please email us at mcbrideflock@yahoo.com.
Thank you for praying with us!
Dawn and Andrew McBride

Personal Reflection: Thy Will Be Done

I was working out at the gym and listening to Al Pittman's sermon on "The Reason for Our Peace".  At the end of his sermon, he shared a video with the congregation of the song, "Thy Will" by Hillary Scott.  I've heard this song before, but the words just smacked me in the face this time. 

I'm sitting there trying to work on my arms and tears are flowing down my cheeks.  This song had me crying while lifting weights. What was it about this song that touched my heart so powerfully?

"I'm so confused... I know I heard You loud and clear, 

so I followed through.  Somehow I ended up here."

Ohhh, yes, now I know.  There was a time I felt certain of something the Lord had showed me.  Why does it hurt?  

"I don't want to think.  I may never understand that 

my broken heart is part of Your plan."

Yes, it does hurt!  The unfulfilled part of my dream, my heart, and my hope.  I wish it didn't hurt so much, but I know, He has something coming.

"When I try to pray all I got is hurt and these four words: 

Thy will be done!"

Hear the cry of my heart, Lord!  I want Your will more than my own.  I want Your will to be accomplished in my life. 

"I know You're good, but this don't feel good right now.  

And I know You think of things I could never think about."

Yes, I know You are good and Your Word says that Your thoughts are not my thoughts.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

"It's hard to count it all joy, distracted by the noise.  

Just trying to make sense of all Your promises."

Man alive.. the noise in my heart and my mind... the questions, the fears, the doubts.. Did I really hear Him?

"Sometimes I gotta stop, remember that You're God and I am not."

Lord, You know all!  You see all.  Your view of life is so much grander than I can even imagine.  You are God.  I am not.  You are in control.  I am not.  You created this world.  I did not.  You know the numbers of hairs on my head.  I do not.

"So, Thy will be done.  Thy will be done.  Thy will be done.  

Like a child on my knees, all that comes to me is Thy will be done.  

Thy will be done!"

Father, I yield to You!  May Your will, more than my will, be done!  I need You more than anything else!

"I know You see me.  I know You hear me, Lord.

Your plans are for me; goodness, You have in store."

Jesus, You hear me (1 John 5:14).  Father, You see where I am at (Genesis 16:13).  I know Your plans are for my good and not evil ("For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11)

I was reminded today that God will touch your heart when you least expect it. Let me encourage you to let Him touch your heart.  Let Him touch those areas of your heart that are so tender.. that you want to protect.  

Are you afraid of what He will say?  Of what He will do?  Are you waiting for unfulfilled dreams and hopes to come to pass?  Take a step and trust Him.. He is so worthy of our trust!!

Here is the link to the song if you would like to listen to it: Thy Will by Hillary Scott

Much love from us!
Dawn and Andrew

What have we been up to?

Hello all!
Can it really be July already?  Where is the summer going?  It is actually winter here in New Zealand which means it’s rainy and chilly, compared to winter in Colorado, this isn’t so bad.  The difference is that the chilliness gets into your bones and warming my feet on a hot water bottle is the main thing that helps.  That water bottle is also a great hand warmer as well!

What have we been up to?  School ended in May and we spent roughly half of June in Perth, Australia.  Pastor Darryl and Lorelle were awesome hosts!  We went there to serve them, but we came away feeling served.  It was a blessing to watch this couple minister to their family and church family.

While there we visited Cathy in the hospital twice.  She is will soon be greeting Jesus face to face.  Please pray for her and Bruce, her husband, as this is a difficult time for them.  He has been by her side through all of the trials she has been through.  Their son and his wife just had a little baby boy and I am sure this is adding to this amazing time for this precious family.

Andrew had the opportunity to preach at Calvary Perth both Sundays we were there.  The first sermon was on Luke 15:11-32 which talks about a father and his two sons.  Here is the link to his teaching if you are interested: http://www.calvarychapelperth.com/sermons#290.  The second sermon was on Psalm 23 about us as sheep.  Here is the in link if you are interested in hearing this sermon: http://www.calvarychapelperth.com/sermons#291. I really enjoyed watching Andrew teach from his perspective and sense of humor.

 

I had the opportunity to share my testimony at the Calvary Perth ladies Bible study.  Being the youngest in the group, I wondered how my life story would connect with these ladies, but God always has a plan.  Some of them could relate personally or have a daughter that is going through what I have been through.  May they be encouraged that as they or their daughters turn to God and allow Him to have His way, life can be so very different.

Darryl and Lorelle treated us to a few of the beautiful sites in Perth including King’s Park, which is across the river from downtown Perth.  This huge park has a few memorials and one that was quite interesting was the whispering wall.  Lorelle sat at one end of the half circle and I sat that the other end.  She whispered and it sounded like she was right next to me.  It was so much fun!

We also went to Caversham Wildlife Park where we had the opportunity to touch a koala and a wombat, plus feed kangaroos.  What a great experience to be so up close to these creatures.  I even got to see a kookaburra bird that I used to sing about in elementary school.  You know the song… kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.. A gum tree is also known as a eucalyptus tree.  Too fun to connect the dots!

 

They took us to one of their favorite spots to see wild dolphins in the canals of a neighborhood.  It was such a blessing to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.  I even captured some video of them swimming right below me.  The pelicans were wise to follow the dolphins as where they were at, so were the fish.

Of course, life isn’t really lived until you’ve had a good barbie!  They cooked up snaggers (sausages) and grilled veggies.  They made sure we were well fed and watered.  :o)  Darryl celebrated a milestone birthday while we were there and we were able to treat him and Lorelle to a dinner out.  These are special people and we love them dearly!  You see, Darryl just finished his radiation treatments and will know more in the coming weeks if the medicine did its work.  He was on the go as though he had no troubles at all while we were there.  God bless you, dear sir!  You are in our prayers!!!

As it is mid-July, we are ramping up for next semester.  Andrew will be teaching the Wisdom of Solomon which covers Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.  He is also praying about teaching Fundamentals of Worship Leading.  I will be team teaching Philippians with the ladies on staff as well as teaching English Composition.  I am loving studying Philippians as it reveals Paul’s heart for the church of Philippi.  What a great teacher he was and is!

Recently we were notified that Andrew’s dad (Brice) has non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  Andrew will be going home to Minnesota in early August for about two weeks.  He wants to spend time with his folks and help out where he can.  Brice will have just completed his first round of treatment and we would appreciate your prayers.  Andrew’s mom is doing a great job taking care of Brice, but as many of you know, it can be exhausting.  Please keep her in your prayers as well!

God has been shaking us and continues to chip away those sharp corners so that we can more effectively shine the light and share the love of Jesus to those around us.  Sometimes we wonder how God will use us, but He reveals little by little what He is doing in us and through us.  There is always work to be done in our hearts as we continually need to lay down things that try to take precedence over Him.  I am grateful that He is so patient with me as I am a stinker when I want to hold on to something.

We love you and appreciate you, more than you know!  May we all remain open to whatever heart surgery God wants to do in us as He sees the grand picture where we only see a splinter of the image.

Some pictures of some of the people we met:

Diory - a gal that is learning English far far away from home!

Carolyn - Pastor's Steve wife - she has been serving in many capacities for years.
Thank you for your smile, Carolyn!

Leslie - a sweet and strong woman of God.

Crazy Darryl holding a black-headed python.

Prayer requests:

- Preparation for this semester as it begins at the end of August.

- Safe travels for students and interns.

- Students, interns and staff to plug into God this semester and hunger for more of His presence.

- Safe travels for Andrew as he travels to and from Minnesota.

- Darryl and Brice as they are both dealing with cancer.

- Cathy and her family as she is about to graduate to heaven.

Check out our praise reports on our website.  They are on the right hand side of the page.

Until next time,
Dawn and Andrew McBride


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