Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

November 11
Tuesday


THE DRINKING
GOURD

READ:
Philippians 2:12-18
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Shine as lights in the
world, holding fast
the word of life.
__Philippians 2:13-18
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Prior to the American Civil war (1861-1865), fugitive slaves found freedom by following the Under-ground Railroad, a term for the secret routes from the South to the North and the abolitionists who helped them along the way. Slaves would travel at night for many miles, keeping on track by following the light of the "Drinking Gourd." This was a code name for the collection of stars known as the Big Dipper, which points to the North Star. Some believe the fugitives also used encoded directions in the lyrics of the song "Follow the Drinking Gourd" to keep them from getting lost as they traveled.

Both the abolitionists and the "drinking gourd" served as points of light directing the slaves to freedom. The apostle Paul says that believers are to shine as "lights in the world" to show the way to those seeking God's truth, redemption, and spiritual liberation (Phil. 2:15).

We live in a dark world that desperately needs to see the light of Jesus Christ. Our calling is to shine forth God's truth so that others can be directed to the One who redeems and is the path to liberty and life. We point the way to Jesus, the One who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
__Dennis Fisher

``````````````````Dear Lord, thank You for redeeming me and giving````````````````````
`````````````````me new life. Give me compassion for those who are```````````````````
`````````````````still lost in spiritual darkness. Use me to be a light````````````````````
```````````````````that points others to You, the Light of the world.````````````````````
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Light up your world by reflecting the light of Jesus.

12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only,
but now much more in my
absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and
trembling; 13 for it is God
who works in you both to
will and to do for His good
pleasure.

14 Do all things without
complaining and disputing,

15 that you may become
blameless and harmless,
children of God without
fault in the midst of a
crooked and perverse
generation, among whom
you shine as lights in the
world, 16 holding fast the
word of life, so that I may
rejoice in the day of Christ
that I have not run in vain
of labored in vain.

17 Yes, and if I am being
poured out as a drink
offering on the sacrifice and
service of your faith, I am
glad and rejoice with you
all. 18 For the same reason
you also be glad and rejoice
with me.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Paul tells the followers of Christ in Philippi that they are lights
among a "crooked and perverse generation" (Phil. 2:15). But the
progression of Paul's thought should be noted. When we live our
lives in harmony and concern for others" without complaining and
disputing" (v.14), we become blameless and harmless and shine
in the world (v.15). Christ is made known in the world through us
when our lives reflect the humility and love of our Lord.