What has happened to you?
This week, we've sat down on hard ground at the Riverside.
We've considered the possibility that God has purpose in our pain. We've considered how our faith is increased when we see other men and women courageously exhibit faith when they are persecuted. We've considered how we respond when people actually want to bring harm to us because of our faith. And we've considered how personal opposition can actually bring joy.
What has God been showing you at the Riverside? What has he been speaking to you? What comfort has he been bringing?
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known through the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become more confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice. Philippians 1:12-18
- Do you believe that a good and loving God can use "what has happened to you" for good and noble purposes?
- Are you willing to trust him with these hard and painful things? Are you willing to trust, even though you may not see his good purposes on this side of heaven?
- If you will trust God with "what has happened to you," are you willing to tell others about it?
- What can you do today, this weekend, to choose joy in spite of "what has happened to you" in the past and in spite of the challenge you are facing right now?
Over the weekend, take some time and prayerfully read back through our passage this week. Consider these questions, and journal. Take time to be still and listen for God to speak to you. Journal what he says.
How is at the Riverside for you? What would you like to see more of? Less of? I'd love to hear from you! And, if at the Riverside is good for you, maybe you have a friend or three who would like it too. Subscribe by putting your email up-and-to-the-right. Thanks so much!