J. B. Phillips | Daily Encouragement

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“I know the greatness of the LORD — that our Lord is greater than any other god. The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths. He causes the clouds to rise over the whole earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.” (Psalm 135:5-7, NLT)

More than forty years ago, J. B. Phillips wrote a book (which is still in print, by the way) titled, “Your God is Too Small.” The title alone provokes the question: How big is your God?

The psalmist, as we see in today’s selection, had a big God. There is a direct relationship between the size of our problems and the size of our God. As I heard related several years ago in a sermon by Austin, Texas pastor Gerald Mann: “Big God, small problems. Small God, big problems.”

Having a God that cannot be bossed, because He is all-powerful; that cannot be bought, because he has infinite resources; is a comfort, a joy, and an arsenal for whatever problems life presents! – Luther

Tagged Gerald Mann, God's Omnipotence, God's sovereignty, J. B. Phillips, the book of Psalms

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“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’” (I Corinthians 15:33, NASB)

. . . or the modern corollary to St. Paul’s maxim: “You can’t soar with eagles when you run with turkeys.”

Lest we think that what is referenced here is our associations (as in, “avoid troubled people because their troubles will rub-off on you”), that is not the case. Young’s Literal Translation of this verse reads: “Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners.”

The J. B. Phillips Translation of this verse gives us even more clarity: “Don’t let yourselves be deceived. Talking about things that are not true is bound to be reflected in practical conduct.”

As disciples of Jesus, if God chooses to put us in dark places (as He may), it is because we are “the light of the world”; our job is to shine for Him! If God chooses to put us in places where the risk of moral decay is imminent (as He will), it is because we are “the salt of the earth”; our job is to be salty — and preserve! (Please see Matthew 5:13-16 for the complete text.)

Today, and everyday, may our personal ambition as “light and salt” be gracious manners in a coarse world; the purest intentions in a jaded and skeptical sphere; and utterances that are scrupulously true in a community where the “truth” is often an amalgam of reality, convenience, and veiled self-interest.

Do not be fooled! While words that are gracious, pure, and truthful bring hope, light, and life to others; when we allow gossip, innuendo, and lies to invade our communications with others, it is our own daily conduct, moral authority, and personal character that is corrupted — and we become the problem instead of the solution. – Luther

Tagged bad company, good morals, J. B. Phillips, morality, the book of 1 Corinthians

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“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:6, NASB)

If it is true that we make trouble for ourselves because, as J. B. Phillips titled his classic book, “Your God is Too Small” (1953); the same might also be said because we think some matters of our life are too small for our heavenly Father’s attention.

We ought to accept the biblical challenge to acknowledge God in everything — large and small — whether in decisions or in giving thanks.

Through the Holy Spirit — Whom Jesus Himself referred to as the “Helper” — we have a companion who knows well the path; we have an intercessor who knows the mind of God; we have an energizer to sustain us; a teacher to educate us.

However, the Helper helps only by invitation. If we have not, it is only because we ask not. – Luther

Tagged Holy Spirit, J. B. Phillips, the book of Proverbs

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