A Place of Discovery

HE ALSO WORKS IN THE MOST UNLIKELY PLACE But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel , (Philippians 1:12 NKJV) W e only see a glimpse of life, but God sees the whole picture. Being in difficult situation (or solitary in jail) like Paul, may feel like hell sometimes. But God works in all circumstances! Instead of regretting the hours he had to spend in prison, Paul used the opportunity to share the good news of salvation to the prison guards and writing letters to exhort and encourage the fledgling churches in Asia and Europe. He spent more than two years in prison (Acts 24:26-27: 28:30). I believe these are some of those most productive and fruitful years of Paul's life in such an unlikely place. Where are you now? Do you feel restricted to exercise your gifts, to enrich your life and others for the furtherance of the Gospel? Think of Paul! God can work in you and through you...

STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ , (Philippians 1:9-10 NKJV) Paul's prayer reveal to us that the sign when God is in us is GROWTH. 1. Our knowledge and insight (discernment) will be coated more and more with love. 2. Knowledge puffs up (1 Cor 1:8) but Love (keeps it in balance and) builds up, purify and sharpening our discernment, directing and empowering us to tirelessly striving the excellent. And, 3. Love guards our intention and keep offenses away, sincerely seeking the best of (and for) each and every one as God would. May this prayer be the prayer of all our hearts! ~ plt270814

GOD IS WORKING IN US being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; (Philippians 1:6, 9 NKJV) Our God is a faithful and mighty God. He longs to give us all the He has so that we can become like Him. Once He starts to work in us, He will bring it to completion. The question for us perhaps: do we aware that He is still w orking in us? How open are we to let God work in our lives? He will work in us only as far as the room we give him to move. He dispenses His grace freely but not loosely. He will give only when we are ready; that we ask from Him. Therefore, although He is Emmanuel who is with us, we need to "consciously" ask Him for help, tell Him that we need Him. Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still. http:// www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/ t/hthineow.htm ~ plt250914

I THANK GOD UPON EVERY REMEMBRANCE OF YOU I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy , (Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV) The Philippians Christians are the exemplary community of Christ followers. Paul have many good things to say about them... Would there only sweet experiences that He have iin Philippi? There may be much more good experiences but I would believe that as a matured person Paul also has learnt to take the lesson from each encounter he has with the believers in the Philippi, the good and the bad. To see all these experiences in the light of God's grace. How did Paul do it? He didn't explain it in his letter. I believe he did it not only out of courtesy (the Bible only records what's genuine and authentic) nor that he chose to think positively (Norman Vincent Peale's theory of positive thinking in the 20th century was unknown to him). God didn't put Paul in a perfect 'sh...