May I have a WORD with you?

References: 

• The 26th of December is Boxing Day! 
  • In the UK and Canada. 
    • Churches would fill alms boxes during Advent, which the clergy would then distribute to the poor on St. Stephen's Day, directly linking charity with this date.
    • It became a day for servants to receive their Christmas gifts (boxes) and time off after working on Christmas Day.
    • Good King Wenceslas Christmas Carole
      • Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen, When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even. Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel, When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
      • “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling, Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?” “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain, Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
      • “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither, You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.” Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together, Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
      • “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger, Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.” “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly, You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”
      • In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted; Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed. Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing, You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.
  • Wren Day in Ireland. 
  • Each connected to the Feast of Stephen
• Who was St Stephen? 
  • Acts 6 - the first seven Deacons are selected and appointed by the Apostles.
    • Vs 2 - “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve διακονέω (dee-ak-on-eh'-o) tables.
    • Listed by name in vs 5
      • Stephen is the only one of the 7 said to be full of faith and the Holy Spirit.
      • In vs 8 we are told that Stephen did miracles and signs among the people, which get Stephen in hot water with the Jewish leaders.
      • Stephen ends up on trial because of the false testimony of a couple of lying witnesses
    • By vs 15 Stephen’s fate is sealed and God begins the process of transforming him to glory.
      • ἀτενίζω (at-en-id'-zo) - they fixed their eyes upon him
      • His face was like that of an angel
  • Acts 7 - Stephen’s testimony and stoning
    • From vs 2 to 50 Stephen gives a long recollection of the history of the people of Israel.
    • Vs 51-53 is Stephen’s accusation of the religious leaders.
    • The leaders are enraged and Stephen is given a vision of God’s throne room.
    • We find out at the end of the chapter, as Stephen is being executed by stoning, that the whole affair is overseen by Saul, who became Paul the Apostle
    • As Stephen ἀτενίζω (gazes intently) into heaven, his last words were, vs 60, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
• Why honor St Stephen on December 26?
  • The discovery of his relics in 415 AD
  • St Augustine’s testimonies of miraculous healings

References: 

• Comedian Bill Engval had as a part of his routine a joke about stupid questions. “Here’s your sign,” was an “I’m stupid” sign.
• The word for sign in Greek is σημεῖον (say-mi'-on)
  • A common word used 77 times in 69 vss in NT
  • It can be positive
    • signs and wonders accompanying those sent by God (Acts 5:12).
    • Circumcision was a sign that Abraham already had faith and was accepted by God (Rom 4:11)
  • It can be negative
    • Judas gave a sign for his betrayal of Jesus (Mt 26:48)
    • The religious leaders demanded a sign (Luke 11:29-30)
• The sign for the shepherds was a baby, swaddled and lying in a manger.
  • While there is no Biblical evidence for it, there is rabbinic tradition that describes a practice of swaddling lambs marked for sacrifice …
    • Protection: Wrapping lambs in cloths (swaddling) prevented them from getting blemishes, ensuring their suitability for sacrifice, and a manger offered a safe space.
    • Symbolic Significance: Bethlehem was known for its temple lambs, and shepherds would recognize swaddled lambs in mangers, making the sign in Luke 2:12 meaningful for them as representing the "Lamb of God".
  • No room in the κατάλυμα (kat-al'-oo-mah)
    • Mark 14:14; Luke 22:11
    • Guest room not inn
      • An inn is πανδοχεῖον (pan-dokk-i'-on)
      • Luke 10:30-37 (esp. vs 34)
  • Jesus was found in a common, peasant home where the shepherds would have been welcome and at home, not concerned for his safety or well being. (Compare Matthew 2:11)
  • The sign was one to honor and lift up the lowly. So, they rejoiced and praised God (vs 20).

References: 

• When the flu gets me down, I punt. My brain will not allow me to do a full episode. Enjoy.
• Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” NLT
  • season -  זְמָן - (zem-awn') - a set time, appointed time  
    • Nehemiah 2:6 “So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.” ESV
    • In Esther 9:27 & 31 - Purim - “They declared they would never fail to celebrate these two prescribed days at the appointed time each year.” NLT 
  • time -  עֵת - (ayth) - most common word for time
• Matthew 2:1-18; Luke 1:8-20
  • Chronos vs Kairos
    • χρόνος - (chronos) - Mt 2:7
    • καιρός - (kairos) - Lk 1:20

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • This is a plan for disciplining our minds to be like the mind of Christ - see Phil 2:2 ESV
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
  • Last episode - lovely, admirable
• The seventh focal point (two nouns)
  • Excellence - ἀρετή (ar-et-ay) moral excellence, courageous goodness, or virtue.
    • A quality of God and God’s work that leads to praise.
      • Examples from the Septuagint
        • Isa 43:21 - we were made for this purpose
        • Isa 42:12 - the whole world shows God’s excellence.
      • 1 Peter 2:9 - we are commissioned to show God’s excellence by living in such a way that reveals our having been brought from darkness to Light.
    • A high quality of character.
      • 2 Peter 1:3, 5 - moral excellence, virtue
      • Think about Christ-like character, selfless actions, and anything that displays outstanding moral courage and goodness.
    • Fixing one’s thoughts on excellence calls believers to look for examples of God’s goodness displayed in the virtue of others and strive for it in themselves.
  • Praiseworthiness - ἔπαινος (epainos) commendation, approval, or a thing deserving of acclaim.
    • Compare and contrast praise and praiseworthiness
    • God's works, His redemptive acts, and anything that ultimately brings glory to Him. The verb “to praise.”
      • The heavenly host - Luke 2:13
      • The healed parlytic - Acts 3:8
    • Our works or God’s works in and through us.
      • God makes us praiseworthy - Rom 2:29 MSG
      • The fruit of our salvation - Phil 1:11 - see MSG
      • To the praise of His glory - Eph 1:5-6, 12, 14 
      • Refining of faith - 1 Peter 1:6-7 MSG
    • It's the ultimate litmus test: does this thought, action, or idea deserve to be publicly commended and does it point to God's greatness?
• SO, the 6 adjectives and 7th (two nouns) all 
  • point us back to God and God’s intention and plan to make us to be like Him and represent Him well in the world around us.
  • Give us a discipline plan for being conformed to Christ, so that when anxiety arises, we can trade the worries for intimate communicative relationship (prayer) whereby God gives peace that protects our hearts and minds in Christ.
  • This is a plan for disciplining our minds to be like the mind of Christ - see Phil 2:2 ESV

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
    • Last episode - true, honorable
• The third two of six adjectives - both hapax legomena
  • This can make interpretation trickier or more fun, depending on your perspective.
    • Looking at other sources of usage
    • Taking the word apart and interpretting from Biblical usage of the parts
  • Lovely - προσφιλής (pros-fee-lace')
    • Things that are pleasing and promote peace rather than turmoil, are acceptable in God's eyes (ie. loving family relationships, acts of kindness, generosity, humble service, etc.)
    • Derivation: from the compounding of
      • πρός - preposition meaning
        • at, near, by
        • to, towards, with, with regard to
      • φιλέω - verb meaning
        • to love
          • to approve of, to like
          • to treat affectionately or kindly, 
          • to welcome or befriend
        • to show signs of love
    • Thus, to show signs of love towards…
      • Jesus
        • Healing (myriad examples) Mk 5:25-34
        • Loving enemies (Mt 5:39 - The Chosen season 6 preview clip)
      • Peter with Cornelieus Acts 10:28-29
      • Paul’s memory of the Galatians (Gal 4:13-16)
      • You’ve seen remarkably loving acts towards another. By whom? What did it mean to you to see this? Fix your thoughts of those kinds of examples.
  • Admirable - εὔφημος (yoo'-fay-mos), commendable (ESV), of good report (KJV)
    • Things that are well-spoken of, reputable, and constructive, actively looking for the good in others and focusing on positive, uplifting news and actions.
    • Derivation from the compounding of
      • εὖ - adverb meaning
        • to be well off, fare well
        • prosper, acting well
      • φήμη - noun meaning “a good report”
        • from φημί - verb meaning “to declare”
        • from φῶς - “light” and φαίνω - “shine”
    • Thus, stories of the light shining well
      • as Jesus’ fame spread (see Mt 4:24; Mk 1:28-29; Lk 5:15, etc.)
      • The Corinthian’s generosity 2 Cor 9:6-15
    • You’ve experienced the light of Christ shining from another believer. Who? How does the good report of their admirable actions affect you? Fix your thoughts on those kinds of stories.
      • Check out Social Media people like @mdmotivator or @joshlilj 

References: 

• Fixing our thoughts - λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about, fix your thoughts upon…
    • Last episode - true, honorable
• The second two of six adjectives
  • Right - δίκαιος (dikaios) 81x in 76 vss
    • Things that are righteous, just, living in conformity to God's standards and treating others with fairness and integrity.
      • Mt 1:19 Joseph was a “just” man…
      • Mt 20:1-15 - the workers in the vineyard. The landowner tells them they will be paid what is “diaios.” The irony is, of course, the first workers feeling like it is un-just.
    • To some degree, we are capable of being δίκαιος.
      • Lk 12:54-57 - Peterson in MSG says “use your common sense.
      • But, Gal 3:10-12 (therefore, Thayer 1.c)
    • So, hunger and thirst for δικαιοσύνη (dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay) righteousness. See Mt 5:6
  • Pure - ἁγνός (hagnos) 8x in 8 vss
    • Things that are wholesome, clean, and free from moral impurity. Focuses on thoughts and actions that are set apart from the corruption of the world. Sharing the same etymology with the adjective ἅγιος (hag'-ee-os) meaning “holy.”
      • 1 Tim 5:21-23 - keep one’s self “pure.” Drink a little wine… haha
      • Titus 2:3-5 - NOT the current time’s revulsion at what’s called “purity culture.” See also 1 Pt 3:1-7
    • To live dependant upon and conformed to the standard of God’s holy will and ways.
      • 1 John 3:2-3 - becoming like Jesus
      • 2 Cor 7:8-13 - “make things right” (NLT), “proved yourselves innocent” (ESV), “with purity of heart” (MSG).
      • 1 Peter 1:16 (hageeos) Be holy [pure] for I am holy [pure].
• Both things that are δίκαιος “right” and things that are ἁγνός “pure” are only fully so by the grace, influence and power of God who alone is perfectly right and pure. Fixing our thoughts on these things is, like things that are true and honorable, fixing our thoughts on Jesus. 

References: 

• Let’s fix our thoughts
  • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Trade anxiety for intimate communication with God (prayer)
    • God will give peace you can’t wrap your head around
    • That peace will guard (protect, defend, keep) your heart and mind in Christ Jesus
  • Philippans 4:8
    • SO, think [ λογίζομαι (log-id'-zom-ahee) - middle voice verb from λόγος ] speak to yourself about…
• The first two of six adjectives
  • True
    • ἀληθής (alēthēs) things that conform to reality, that is what’s REALLY real. 
      • It is not just about factual correctness, but the ultimate truth found in God's Word and character
      • Jesus is the personification of truth.
        • What lies does Satan try to sell you?
          • I’m alone (1 Kings 19)
          • My situation is hopeless (Heb 6)
          • Imposter’s Syndrom (Rom 12)
        • AI mimicking reality: it is difficult to tell real from fake
          • Feeds mimic reality, deepfakes disturb and unnerve, biased narratives provoke.
          • The lie hook gets set when your thoughts race, you share without verifying, etc.
    • Fixing our thoughts
      • What is REALLY real?
      • God’s Word, His Kingdom, His promises, etc.
  • Honorable
    • σεμνός (semnos) people/behaviors that are "respectable," or "dignified" 
      • In the NT this word is never disconnected from someone. It’s not about whatever is honorable, but WHOever is honorable.
      • See 1 Tim 3:8-11
        • Who comes to your mind?
        • Why? Seriously?
    • How much time do you typically give to…
      • “Conversation” that is REALLY gossip
      • Dishonorable humor or drama (think TV shows, movies, comedians)
      • Attention seeking, trolling for “likes” (think social media)
      • Those who want to humiliate others for their views
    • Fixing our thoughts
      • Who do you “want to be when you grow up?”
      • What makes these real people examples attractive?
      • Ask yourself, WWRoJD “What Would Ray or Joanie Do?”  IYKYK
• Finally, λογίζομαι - talk to yourself, meditate, ponder, fix your thoughts.
  • Mark 11:29-33 - you can invite others into the conversation
  • The qualification of “among themselves” is added to the middle voice of the verb

References: 

• What’s all this about six seven?
  • CBS News online reported that dictionary.com chose 6-7 as the 2025 word of the year
    • “a ‘nonsensical and playfully absurd’ slang term”
    • The evolution and cultural impact
  • Not “knowing” makes some people anxious
    • 6-7 has been irritating teachers
    • I’ve seen reports of 6-7 being banned from schools, etc. Can you imagine how trying to ban kids from saying “groovy” in the 60s would have gone over?
• Do I want to stop worrying?
  • Philippians 4:6-7 (haha) is about stopping with the worrying (μεριμνάω - merimnaō verb from…)
    • μέριμνα - (mer'-im-nah): care, anxiety (all 3 synoptic gospels parable of the sower, the seed that fell among thorns was choked out by the μέριμνα of this world
      • From μερίζω - (merizō): to divide, be split into factions (Mark 3:24-25 a house divided, a kingdom divided; 1 Cor 1:13 is Christ divided; Rom 12:3 the portion God has given)
      • From μέρος - (mer'-os): a part due or assigned to one, lot, destiny (John 13:8 - if you don’t let me wash you, you will have no part with me [no share, won’t belong to me]
        • 6-7 is a way Gen Alpha feel a part of something others don’t understand
        • But ALL who are in Christ have a part in the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12)
    • Pray (προσευχή) with supplications (δέησις) and thanksgivings (εὐχαριστία)
  • Where will I find peace? Through vs 6 comes vs 7
    • The peace beyond understanding will keep
      • φρουρέω (froo-reh'-o)
        • to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight
        • to protect by guarding, to keep by watching and guarding to preserve one for the attainment of something
• SO, a final thing, fix your thoughts on…
  • λογίζομαι (logizomai) middle voice verb from λόγος the noun 
    • to consider, take into account, weigh, meditate on
  • λέγω (legō)
    • to say, to speak, affirm over, maintain, to teach, to exhort, advise, to command, direct, to point out with words, intend, mean
• Living out what my thoughts are fixed upon
• A 4 part series on the 6 adjectives and the 7th (2 nouns) upon which we should meditate

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, Thanksgivings
  • … so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
  • This is good and pleases God our Savior
    • Eph 5:8-10 “Once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. 10 Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.”
    • The undeniable connection is that our commitment to offer supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings for all people pleases the Lord.
    • Doing this demonstrates to ourselves and others the “light from the Lord” in us.
• John 9:4-9
  • φῶς (phōs) - light
    • God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality
      • of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it
      • that which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly
      • reason, mind
    • the power of understanding esp. moral and spiritual truth
      • This definition of “light” connects to the opening of the blind man’s eyes.
      • Jesus spit in the dirt and made mud to spread on the man’s eyes
      • When he washed, his eyes were opened. This was not just a physical opening, but opened the man to a new moral and spiritual understanding.
  • πτύω (ptoo'-o) - spit
    • The irony - when his eyes were opened, suddenly other’s eyes were clouded
      • “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?”
      • Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!”
      • The Pharisees and religious leaders are pronounced “blind” by Jesus (see John 9:39-41).
• Jesus’ may open and bring light to our eyes by where and how we are looking in s.p.i.t. prayer (is the acronym a coincidence? I think so. haha).
  • Consider the four types with an example
    • Supplications - look around and ask for what you see as needs and wants.
    • Prayers - look up into the face of God, still your heart and soul and listen.
    • Intercessions - look in and see the heart transformation God works that we may intercede according to His heart.
    • Thanksgivings - look ahead to what He has already done in the future.

References: 

• Learning to want what God wants can happen through the primary and urgent matter of communicating with God.
  • 1 Timothy 2:1-4 through Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions, Thanksgivings
  • εὐχαριστία (yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah) thankfulness, the giving of thanks (Remeber Phil 4:6 & Col 4:2)
• An attitude of gratitude - the blessing and benefits of thankfulness.
  • Thankfulness is something even unbelievers value and practice.
  • Most common prayer entry point
    • Can you think of a time someone didn’t open a prayer with “Thank you God for…” or some version of that?
  • Consider your practice of thankfulness in prayer.
    • We thank God for circumstances
    • We thank God for His goodness
    • We thank God for people 
• Thanksgivings for ALL PEOPLE?
  • How hard would it be to make a list of people for whom you are not thankful?
  • How would you offer prayers of thanksgiving for them?
  • Prolepsis: what is it
    • Genesis 20:3 - “you’re dead!” מוּת  (mooth)  
    • Isaiah 65:8 - “new wine” in the grape cluster
    • Luke 1:68-70 - “he has visited” and “has raised up” - note verb mood - indicative (a done deal before Jesus is even born)
    • 2 Timothy 1:10 - “abolished death” - καταργέω (katargeō)
      • to cause a person or thing to have no further efficiency
      • to deprive of force, influence, power
      • to cause to cease, put an end to, do away with
• Proleptic Gratitude
  • Present subjunctive - “so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity” (1 Tim 2:2)
    • Verb mood - Is the mood of possibility and potentiality. The action described may or may not occur, depending upon circumstances. (see Gen 20:3)
  • Can you give thanks then for what God has already done in the future?
    • Imagine how praying this way would change YOU
    • Put prayers of proleptic gratitude in the context of the previous 3 forms of prayer.
      • Look around at the needs, and ask God to act
      • Look up and listen to what God has to say to you about your requests
      • Look in and see how God needs to conform your heart to His own
  • Look ahead at what God is able to do. Let God open your eyes to what He is capable of doing. Then give thanks for that.