Yeah, but I’ve Got the “Creds”!! – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3a) [8]

June 8, 2015June 24, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Perhaps when we began this series on Philippians, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mp, you may have thought Paul was going to show us some easy, quick, instantly gratifying ways to experience joy. So far that hasn’t been the case.

In chapter 1, Paul described how we can experience Joy in Suffering, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF. In chapter 2, Paul described how we can experience Joy in Serving, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-nA.

Perhaps you thought serving would be an easy, and obvious way, to experience joy. Yet, as we learned with experiencing joy in suffering, experiencing joy in serving, also requires sacrifice and dependence on God. And we’ll see that to experience joy in believing, will require no less.

When I think of experiencing joy in believing, it seems like this will be easier than to experience joy in suffering and serving.

After-all, how hard can it be to believe?

Well, I guess it all depends on what you believe. Because our beliefs are the foundation on which we base our decisions, make our choices, determine who or what we follow, and what formulates our worldviews.

For our purpose, we’ll be looking at experiencing the joy in believing from the perspective of what we put our “faith” in (a strong belief or trust in someone or something). As Paul puts it in Philippians 3:3 – We put no confidence in human effort. Instead, we boast about what Christ Jesus has done for us.

Paul was the perfect person to make this statement because, as we’ll see in a moment, Paul has the “creds” that would easily allow him to puff out his chest. People that knew him, might have even called him “SuperJew”.

Perhaps he looked a bit like Jason Alexander, better known as, George Costanza from the hit comedy, Seinfeld??

Yet I could have confidence in myself if anyone could. If others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more! – Philippians 3:4

Philippians 3:5-6—-

I was circumcised when I was eight days old.
I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one!
I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law.
I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church.
And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

Now how’s that for a resume?

But let’s look at Paul’s very next verse. I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with Him.- Phil. 3:7-9a

WOW!!

IF PAUL, AND ALL HIS CREDENTIALS WERE CONSIDERED GARBAGE, THEN WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE US, OR PAUL, FOR THAT MATTER??

< All My “Creds” are Garbage??? – Joy in Believing – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 3) [9], http://wp.me/p5nZpi-sC >

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Blessing and Being Blessed :) – Joy in Serving – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 2a) [4]

May 4, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Paul defines serving in Philippians 2:3-4. He says,

DON’T be selfish

DON’T live to try and make a good impression on others
DON’T think only about your own interests, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing

DON’T think that you are better than other people, be humble

I think Paul’s definition is interesting. Instead of telling people to do, do, do, having a what’s in it for me attitude, we’re told instead, don’t, don’t, don’t. Reinforcing others before ourselves. Reinforcing that we will experience joy through serving. Through sacrifice and humbling ourselves. As we bless others, we are being blessed in ways we would never have thought possible.

HERE’S AN EXAMPLE MY FRIEND, SARAH (NOT HER REAL NAME), SHARED WITH ME —

Sarah began bringing over meals to Pam (not her real name), who was diagnosed with cancer. Pam shared with Sarah how much her efforts meant to her and her family. She’s receiving healthy food, aiding in her recovery, as well as quality time with Sarah.

As a result of Sarah’s willingness to give her time to Pam, she has also been blessed. She’s learned to prepare delicious looking, and tasting, vegan food. She’s also found a confidant who has prayed with, and for her, as she’s going through her own emotionally difficult trials.

Although Sarah and Pam’s pain/suffering, are different, both woman have been blessed by each other in ways they could never have imagined. They may never have connected in this way if it weren’t for the pain/suffering each woman is experiencing.

Sarah put her own issues aside to care for her friend. And in her opinion, has been blessed far more than she’s been a blessing. And I bet if I talked to Pam she’d have the opposite response – Sarah has been far more of a blessing to her, than she’s blessed Sarah.

Isn’t following God’s ways interesting? 🙂

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In the last two posts, we learned that we can experience joy in suffering, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF, http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no.

As we begin to look at experiencing joy in serving, we see that suffering and joy are sometimes connected. Pain/suffering is something God promises to go through with us, Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. – Psalm 23:4

We have an opportunity to serve and bless others, and in turn be blessed. Allow God to use your pain/suffering to make a difference in someone’s life.

2 Corinthians 1:4 —-

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Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1a) – [2]

April 27, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

The Book of Philippians is a letter, written by the Apostle Paul. It is a rather short book, consisting of 4 chapters. Each chapter describing how joy can be experienced within different contexts.

Chapter 1 – Joy in Suffering
Chapter 2 – Joy in Serving
Chapter 3 – Joy in Believing
Chapter 4 – Joy in Giving

When I read Paul’s letters, I like to imagine that he wrote them to me.

By making the letters personal, as was Paul’s intention, I read them as “pep talks”.

They encourage me, while reminding me, that regardless of my circumstances there is hope when I put my trust in the Lord.

WHAT WAS PAUL’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PHILIPPIANS?

Looking at Phil 1:5 we see that Paul had a special relationship with the Philippians, You have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now.

Because of the close relationship Paul shares with the Philippians, he knows that they are troubled by his suffering. Therefore, he takes the time to reassure them that his suffering is not without purpose. Paul says, “I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.” – Phil 1:12–15

WHO’S IN CONTROL OF OUR LIVES?

He reminds the Philippians that God is sovereign, and in control of his (and their) life and circumstances. Paul lets them know that he is fulfilling God’s intended purpose for him.

SUFFERING => UNFAIRNESS OR OPPORTUNITY?

Paul saw his imprisonment, not as an act of unfairness, or God forsaking him, but rather as an opportunity. An opportunity to spread the Good News that Christ came to save people, including prisoners and prison guards.

He saw his situation through God’s eyes verses limited human eyes.

Paul encouraged people by the way he responded when he was put into less-than-desirable situations. He demonstrated his faith, and encouraged others to experience God’s provision and comfort found in suffering.

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

You may not be in a literal prison, or even experiencing physically suffering, but you may feel trapped or discouraged.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED A POST FROM PHILIPPIANS, SEE LINKS BELOW 🙂

– Want to Know a Secret – (Introduction) Philippians [1] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mp

– Really?? There Can Be Joy In Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Ch.1b) [3] , http://wp.me/p5nZpi-no

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Would you like to have a personal/intimate relationship with the Creator of the Universe?? Take a look at the tab, The Cornerstone…, in the menu for more info.
If you would like to receive notifications when new posts are published, click on the FOLLOW button in the sidebar. Or if you are viewing from your mobile device, scroll down the page and you’ll see the FOLLOW blog via email button 🙂
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