Philippians__1
Scripture Philippians 1:29-30 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.Observation-What does it say? Philippi is a city on the Egnation way, an east and west highway in the northern part of Macedonia. Because of it’s geographical location, Philippi was subject to various ideas and schools of thought influencing and disrupting the church. Therefore, in opening his letter to the Philippians, Paul encourages the church to work on their unity. Part of the need for unity is to live a life worthy of the church. Paul also encourages us in our suffering. Our life in Christ is not only believing, but also suffering.Understanding-What does it mean? Something I never want to do again in my life is go through a police academy. The five and a half months of intense learning and training were some of the worst months in my life. But, whenever I think of my time spent in that classroom, in the PT field, and at the range, I laugh and smile, knowing it was some of the best time in my life. I made some great friends, and most importantly, I grew as a person. Like anything difficult to complete, whether it be a marathon, a college degree, or climbing a mountain, the joy is not only in the outcome, but in seeing how far we have come. Some of the worst or hardest times I’ve ever gone through in life are often the times I look back at with the most joy. When I think of suffering, Job almost always comes to mind. In everything Job lost, he grew closer to God and his dependency on God grew as well. In our own suffering, the joy comes not only in knowing that some day we will be with Jesus, but joy also comes in knowing that we are separating ourselves from this world of sin and pain. As we all know, life is not pretty or well put together. At the worst times we will have car accidents, or loose a job, we might even find out we have a disease with a grim outcome. But as we learn to trust in God and to suffer with Him, we can sing like David did in the wilderness.
O God, You are my God; I shall seek You ]earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh [c]yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You. So I will bless You as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul is satisfied as with [d]marrow and fatness, And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips. Psalm 63:1-5
Life Application Jesus, teach my heart to know that your love is better than life. When I am low and hurting, I know your word restores my life and my bones. Send your peace on my heart when everything seems to be falling down around me. I love you, and I know in suffering I am being drawn closer to you.
-Tyler Galloway