Philippians 1:19-21
Paul realized the power of prayer in various situations. He experienced firsthand the promise of Jesus and he can see the possibilities available through God. Even if he is not set free physiclly, his faith allows him to be free from the fear and frustration of imprisonment. He prays that God will be exalted in his life.
To exalt means to honor, to praise, and to glorify. Matt Hannan, the pastor of New Heights Church in Vancouver, Washington, defined "exalt" as "magnify." When we magnify something, we bring it near or closer, as when we look through a microscope or telescope. We want to bring God close to us so we can show Him to our children.
When we meet together, we receive hope and courage to continue on in the place God has set us. Daily we find that God gives us strength. We realize that our lives are in Him.
The good news we share with our children is that God's love will bring them close to Him. Jesus has made a way to bring us all back to God so that we no longer have to be separated from God. We are not ashamed to live as a godly example to those around us, for He will give us all the courage we need.
Showing posts with label Philippians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Philippians. Show all posts
Friday, September 2, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thanking God
Philippians 1:1-3
That first Tuesday morning when I started this devotional study with friends and co-workers who were also fellow parents, I could look around the table and honestly say with Paul, "I thank my God every time I remember you." As parents, we support each other in many ways. We pray for each other during our devotional times. We encourage one another, sharing parenting ideas and concerns about the children in our care.
As Christian parents, we're in this together. God encourages us to support and uplift one another, regardless of our situation. We learn from one another. We speak joy into each other's lives by sharing the triumphs and trials in our daily circumstances.
Perhaps you are the only Christian in your neighborhood or community. Think about how you can thank God for your neighbors or other parents with whom you come in contact, those with whom you share life. A friend once said, "you have been given to them,a nd they have been given to you." Every time you think of your friends and fellow parents, thank God and ask Him to help you speak His joy into their lives.
That first Tuesday morning when I started this devotional study with friends and co-workers who were also fellow parents, I could look around the table and honestly say with Paul, "I thank my God every time I remember you." As parents, we support each other in many ways. We pray for each other during our devotional times. We encourage one another, sharing parenting ideas and concerns about the children in our care.
As Christian parents, we're in this together. God encourages us to support and uplift one another, regardless of our situation. We learn from one another. We speak joy into each other's lives by sharing the triumphs and trials in our daily circumstances.
Perhaps you are the only Christian in your neighborhood or community. Think about how you can thank God for your neighbors or other parents with whom you come in contact, those with whom you share life. A friend once said, "you have been given to them,a nd they have been given to you." Every time you think of your friends and fellow parents, thank God and ask Him to help you speak His joy into their lives.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Serving.... or not
I spent a fair amount of time last year in Philippians, and determined one of Paul's major themes was service. With our church's emphasis on service this summer, I'd like to keep Philippians current in my thinking. Right now I'm working on a study in Malachi. Last night I noticed it seems to have a theme of "how not to serve." I'll have to give that some more thought, and see if that concept is really there.
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