TMG
Hello, Crossroads Family!
On the first page of Paul’s letter to the Philippians in my Bible, I’ve written two things in the margin:
1. Joy. Joy is the theme of the letter. “Rejoice in the Lord!” is Paul’s amazing perspective while writing this letter from prison in Rome. When we know the Lord, we find reasons for joy. The main reasons are who He is and what He does!
2. How to live with frustration. The joy expressed in the letter is remarkable because there is clear frustration in Paul’s life: frustration with his circumstances; frustration with people’s attitudes toward him and his ministry; some frustration with division in the church he was writing to and which he loved.
Frustration is such a common and ongoing part of life on earth, isn’t it? I hope you’ll remember that when you run into some frustration today. It’s nothing new! It’s probably not worth blowing up about! Philippians explains how Paul overcame it and lived peaceably despite it. If we ever tell someone that when they become a Christian everything will be a bed of roses, happiness, prosperity, and no problems, we won’t be telling them the truth. Those things all still exist in the life of a Christian. Yet, there is a deep, abiding joy that allows us to live with peace of heart and mind.
Below are some verses I jotted down this morning as I read through Philippians. Some are comforting and tell of God’s love; others exhort us to live up to the joy that’s ours in Christ. I hope they encourage you as they did me!
Philippians 1:6
“I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Wow! If true (which I believe it is), what an amazing reality for you and me! God will complete the work He begins in us, so don’t give up hope!
Philippians 1:20
“… according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything …”
Are we involved in anything — activities, habits, attitudes, speech — that bring shame to Christ? I’m sure none of us at Crossroads would want that to be true of us.
Philippians 2:13
“It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”
Another amazing truth that gives hope and joy and allows us to persevere with confidence through life’s challenges and frustrations!
Philippians 2:21
“For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus.”
Oof! That hurts, doesn’t it? If I understand the statement correctly, it’s a statement Paul was making about his Christian friends in Rome. Again, a chance for us to pause and take stock: Am I seeking the interests of our Lord today, or am I seeking my own interests? How can I change direction if, in being honest with myself, I realize I’m living for myself and not for Christ and His honor?
Philippians 3:12,14
“I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which I was also laid hold of by Christ Jesus” (v. 12). “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (v. 14).
We press on! We press on in love ; in fellowship with Christ and those who know Him ; in spiritual growth!
Philippians 3:20-21
“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory ….”
Most of us would like to change some things about our body! Here’s a promise that goes so much deeper than that! God promises to one day give us a body like the body Jesus had when He had risen from the dead! What will that be like? What will we be able to do for God in bodies like that? What will worship be like in a body like that?
Philippians 4:5
“Let your gentle spirit be known to all men.”
Do people know about your gentle spirit?
Philippians 4:7
“The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
I love to be reminded that God is guarding me in many different ways, including the guarding of my heart and my mind through periods of frustration.
Philippians 4:11-13
“I have learned ; I know how ; I also know how ; I have learned ; I can do ….”
Read verses 10-14 of chapter 4 and see what Paul had learned and was learning. These are brave affirmations we can share in when we fix our hearts on Christ. We can learn ; we can know how ; we can do ; we can press on in life ! God is helping us !
Going on at Crossroads
Immerse tonight, 7 pm
Connect with God. Build community. Grow your faith. That’s what’s happening on Wednesday nights at 7 at the church. Everyone is welcome! Bring a friend who needs some positive connection with people tonight. (We finish at 8:00.)
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Forrest who has recently become engaged to Hannah Clardy! Some of you have met Hannah when she has visited Crossroads. We rejoice with Forrest and Hannah ! Let’s commit to praying for them as they prepare to take this next step in their lives!
Thanks!
Thanks to everyone for being so prompt in paying for your church and children’s church t-shirts! Thanks to those who are working on projects at our new church building. Pray for our elders who will meet this Sunday morning after the worship service. May God give us wisdom, guidance, a will to work, and knowledge to know how to involve the entire congregation.
Sunday worship, 10 am
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Take time to read or re-read Acts 1-2 in preparation for Sunday’s worship. We’re going to have a great time together, and I hope you’ll be there!
— Tom
Leave a Reply