Really?? There Can Be Joy in Suffering?? – PHILIPPIANS (Chapter 1b) – [3]

April 30, 2015May 18, 2015buildafoundation Leave a comment

Continuing on from Philippians (Chapter 1a), http://wp.me/p5nZpi-mF…

ARE YOU IN PRISON?

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

Remember: The way you respond when you find yourself in conflicts at work, in your friendships, in your marriage, with your finances, with your teachers, your family members, etc. has to power to restrain you, or set you free. Your response reflects what you believe, and of who you believe in.

WHAT KEPT PAUL GOING IN ADVERSE SITUATIONS?

Paul, “I live in eager expectation and hope that I will never do anything that causes me shame, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, and I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ whether I live or die. And while I live that means fruitful service for Christ.“ – Phil. 1:20,22

WHAT FUELED PAUL TO PUSH THROUGH HIS SUFFERING?

I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. – Phil. 1:25

AN EXAMPLE OF JOY IN SUFFERING

Between 1942 and 1945, a Jewish man named Viktor Frankl, spent time in four different Nazi concentration camps. His family died, he suffered horribly, and he spent years watching everyone around him suffering and dying. Out of this horrific experience came the book, Man’s Search for Meaning.

Here is a few quotes to ponder from Frankl’s book.

“Suffering is of itself meaningless. We give our suffering meaning by the way we respond to it.”

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances — the freedom to choose how you will respond to situation.”

“You can’t control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you feel and do about what happens to you.”

TRANSFORMATION/STRENGTHENING

Allow your suffering to transform you. Allow your suffering to strengthen your faith in God.

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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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Heal My Illnesses Lord…

March 31, 2015March 31, 2015buildafoundation 1 Comment

Lately, there seems to be more and more people who have been diagnosed with cancer. More and more people who are battling various strains of the flu, cold viruses, and a variety of other diseases. More and more people generally feeling “not quite right”.

The breakdown of the physical body was never God’s intention. When Adam and Eve lived in Eden, all was perfect. They were physically strong and healthy. It was not until they gave into the serpent’s, Satan’s, temptation – choosing to eat the fruit God commanded them not to, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” – that life, as they knew it, began to crumble.

…their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. – Genesis 3:7
…they hid from the Lord God – Genesis 3:8
women would feel the pain of their pregnancy, and in pain you will give birth. – Genesis 3:16
men would now be working in pain all their lives, to get food and survive – sweating from dawn to dusk – Genesis 3:17
Then, the Lord God banished them from the Garden of Eden… – Genesis 3:23

Thankfully God, because of His love for us, put into motion a means by which we can be saved. And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife. – Genesis 3:21 This verse foreshadows Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for all humanity, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16

< If you would like to know how you can have a personal/intimate relationship with God, our creator, the creator of everything, take a look at my tab in the menu – The Cornerstone… http://wp.me/P5nZpi-bJ >

THERE IS HOPE – for there will be a time when God will be among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. And He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. – Revelation 21:3-4

Until that time comes, God has given us many verses in the Bible. When we pray back the Word of God, we are praying according to His Will. And God promises, …that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. – 1 John 5:14

< For more on praying and seeking God’s will, see my post, I Pray, Does God Hear Me, Does God Answer Me?? – (Part 1 of 3) – http://wp.me/p5nZpi-hK >

Below are some verses to get you started. Pray one, or all of these, throughout your day and experience for yourself hope, healing, encouragement, and comfort.

May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace. – Numbers 6:24-26

**For more encouraging boards see my tab – The Mortar… – http://wp.me/P5nZpi-7R**

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