Pulling Weeds . . .

I was doing yard work today and pulling a lot of weeds that had become overgrown and taken over flowerbeds. I had neglected to pull them for quite some time. As I was ripping them out of the ground, I realized how much my life is like that flower bed. I know we have all heard the cliche about pulling weeds, etc., but this was actually surreal. I thought about all the weeds in my life that were irritating when I first noticed them, but that over time I just let grow until they strangled the life from me. In other words, sin and other weeds crept into my life which I noticed at first, but I did not repent from them, and just let them fester until they became happenstance. Now those weeds have grown up and are strangling the life breathe from God that I so need to survive. It's just like the weeds in my garden that grow bigger and bigger, and eventually closer and closer to the beautiful flowers until they begin to grow around and within the flower, eventually killing it. I don't want to die. I don't want sin and "weeds" to take over my life and stop me from being what I was created for. I think it is time we all did a little yard work and pulled all those weeds from our flower beds. It was hard and dirty work, and there are still a few small weeds that just didn't come out, but the flower bed looks 100% better, and the flowers can breathe and live once again. There are no weeds to steal their water and sunlight. Yes, some of the weeds broke off and the root remained. I know that the sins and weeds in my life do the same thing; I get rid of the weed but the root stays behind. I confess the sin, but don't repent from it. It is weird and wonderful how God works. I went from doing a tedious chore, such as pulling weeds, to an intimate moment with God. I pulled the weeds in my physical and Spiritual yard today. What weeds are suffocating you from becoming what God has in store for you? Don't just pull the weed, grab it from the root and tear it out so that is does not come back.


But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”

2 Timothy 2:19 (NLT)

What's in it for me?

That is the most frequent question we pose to ourselves before we ever make a decision. Sick isn't it? It's all about me. Well, to embrace the cliche you get out of what you put into it seems adequate explanation. I solicit your feedback and especially what God reveals to you. Everyone views the same thing differently and Scripture application is no different. God may reveal one thing to me and another to you. This is how we grow, and fellowship, and strengthen our relationship with God and others. I will try to explain the intent of the Scripture as best I can while at the same time giving you some application. If something "POPS" out at me I will surely include it in the post. Click ----> "HeLP!" <----and you can email me topics anonymously that you would like covered, or verses you would like to study. This blog is for those of you who choose to participate. Philippians 2 is just the beginning. . .

What is the Philippians2Project?

So what is the Philippians 2 project you ask? To answer that question we need to examine Philippians 2.

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality
with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled
himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave
him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.


There is a lot to be said in those 18 verses, and many life applications. They relate to all people including Christians and especially teens. If you can adopt this lifestyle now and make it your way of life, the mistakes that were made by adults you know will be mistakes that you don't make. You will live a fulfilled life and know that you are doing what God has implored you to do.

In the next several posts I am going to dissect verse-by-verse this passage and provide life applications. I encourage you to post questions or comments on the "passages of the post". If you choose to, you may reflect on the post as part of your quiet time or daily devotional, and post what God revealed to you personally about the verses.

So in a nutshell, this is what Philippians2Project was designed for.