The Power of “Do”

For years I’ve shared one of my favorite books of Paul, Philippians, and the power of a couple of verses that speak to me in volumes louder than the influence of the world around us.

I’ll not focus on the whole thought, but gather your mind around this one verse.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me,
these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:9 NKJV

We struggle with the plan of life, keeping our future before us, and not letting the trials of living these days drag us down in the pit of despair, despondency, and discouragement.

Paul had a mission, but there was also a time when his physical mission ended with the church’s future established. Those last two years, he had nothing but time to spend in prayer, receiving visitors numbered in the twos and threes, and now he could complete his calling. Write.

It’s from the prison of his house, paid by his own funds, awaiting the judgment of Caesar, Paul began his letter-writing campaign to the churches he had established and the men he had nurtured.

Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Galatia, Ephesus, Colosse or Thessalonica…
Timothy, Titus, and Philemon…

His mission was to “do” what the Lord had given him to do in words of his commission.

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine
to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15-16 NKJV

His writings were full of truth and love, mercy and grace, and plenty of warnings about how to live more Godly in the present times. He challenged bad doctrine and poor decisions, but he gave a path to reconnecting with the truth in a way that gave hope.

If Paul Can, I Can

Paul was not just a man with a mission travel plan seeking a budget. He was a communicator to his entire world and the future where you and I reside today. His reach has spanned hundreds and, now, thousands of years. He was a “doer” long before his mission was given to him on the road to Damascus. He was planning on putting “Christians” in their place!

I can imagine James thinking of Paul when he wrote these words:

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 NKJV

Something about those who do draws most of us to follow their world. Nowhere will we find that a follower is allowed to only be one of the crowd. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That is a “doing” job!

As I heard yesterday, the flow of Paul’s words showed he had a plan.

The power of being a “doer” comes from the declaration of saying what you will accomplish and then doing it.

Paul is famous for his “I will…” statements. From two of his letters, let me share a few.

• 1 Corinthians 14:15 NKJV  What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.
• 2 Corinthians 11:12 NKJV  But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.
• 2 Corinthians 11:30 NKJV  If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
• 2 Corinthians 12:6 NKJV  For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
• 2 Corinthians 12:14 NKJV  Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
• 2 Corinthians 12:15 NKJV  And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

Do you get my drift? If Paul can, I can…

Here’s My Thought Today

We call it analysis paralysis, where we spend too much time planning and not enough time doing it. I’m good at that. I love to plan. But it takes a lot for me to complete the plan and “do it.” It’s not that I can’t do. I think my life has shown how much I can do. The older I get, the easier it is to plan and let others do what the plan calls for.

Maybe that’s my future that will be like Paul’s. A lockdown, if you will. Pay my way, but spend time writing and communicating.

Today is my 67th day of consecutive writing.
I spend an hour or so each morning praying, thinking, composing, editing,
and finally, publishing a blog thought.

Paul spent an estimated 32 years in his calling. [Possible Timeline] Some years were foundational, others full of action, and the last two years (730 days) as a prisoner in his own house. I can only imagine the prayer and then a flurry of thinking, composing, editing, and finally snail-mailing a letter.

My writing is the development of a thought that keeps me connected to my memories and the foundations of life. Hundreds of scriptural references, quotes from long-gone thinkers and doers, and a theme of logical flow.

Paul had a foundation of doctrine and theology grounded in the Law and steeped in the traditions of men. If you want to read his life story, perhaps his first letter will help you understand his calling. Galatians. Perhaps the foundational letter of Law and Spirit is found in Romans. His last letter? 2 Timothy.

Paul dealt with everything. From followers to deniers. From saved to the lost. From the household of Israel and those with no claim on Judaism.

If Paul can, I can. Will you live a life of “doing?”