Pondering Philippians: Chapter 1, Verses 12-18

Have you ever experienced something so painful that you swore nothing could be worse? Maybe you’re there now?

Whatever trial you currently find yourself facing, according to Paul, there is something worse. Your pain could be in vain. When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he wanted them to know that there was a purpose behind his suffering.

Let’s face it. Everyone has pain. Maybe you are just entering a very dark season. Or, maybe, you are finally able to see some light. Either way, you need to know that your pain has a purpose.

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 throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. – Philippians 1:12-13

Painful Purpose #1: Point a lost world to Christ

Your pain can be used to advance the gospel. When you hurt, there is a lost world watching.They are looking to see if your mountaintop faith works in the valley. Paul, in the midst of suffering, was very quick to point others to Christ. Sometimes, when pain comes, it is easy to have a big ol’ pity party and invite all your friends. If you do this, however, you are the guest of honor and it is all about you.

Paul reminds his readers that even his pain is all about Christ.

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. – Philippians 1:14

Painful Purpose #2: Encourage fellow believers.

Even in pain, you do not walk alone. Other Christ-followers walk the path beside you.

When your fellow believers see you continue to praise Christ in the midst of your pain, it gives them strength to carry on. They see you trust Him for deliverance and they have the courage to do the same.

Paul says that it was because of his very imprisonment that other believers were empowered to preach the gospel. Talk about purpose!

There is no avoiding pain. This is a fallen, broken world and it hurts.

Don’t let your hurt be in vain.

Use the devastation to advance the gospel. The world is watching and they need to see Him.

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Stacy Edwards is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom. You can follow Stacy on Twitter (@sjedwards.)

Pondering Philippians : Chapter 1, verses 1-11

There is something you need to hear. Are you ready?  God. is. not. finished. with. you. He just isn’t.

I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6

You may look at your life and see mistakes and missed opportunities. The Creator, however, sees the creation that He smiled upon and deemed very good. He sees the end from the beginning and you are somewhere in the middle and He is not through.

You have been knocked down and face flat in your own sin. It would seem that you have taken yourself right out of any good plan He may have had for you. Oh, but you could not be more wrong. For He is the God who picks up the fallen and the broken.  He puts together what the world has shattered and there is beauty in the cracks.  And there will be beauty when He is through.  Give Him time. He is not finished with you.

You may be in a valley so deep that you can not see your way out. That is okay because He sees you. The trial is terrible and the fire is hot, but He is bringing you through.  The Potter is gently molding the clay. He still counts tears and redeems pain. His timing is not yours and you do not understand His ways, but He has begun a good work in you. He is not finished.

But He will finish.  He will leave nothing incomplete and that includes you.

Do not give up.

God is not through.

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Stacy Edwards is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom. You can follow Stacy on Twitter (@sjedwards.)

If you have children in your life you are probably familiar with the cartoon, Arthur. Marc Brown is the author and illustrator behind the Arthur books. I read an article about him and learned that his children’s names are hidden in the illustrations on each page of those books. Every page is a little tribute to them. Fascinating, huh?

No one loved Jesus like Dr. Glenn Weekley. He performed my wedding and dedicated two of my children. In fact, my second child’s dedication was his last Sunday in the pulpit. We had no way of knowing that the Lord would call him home just a few days later. He was once asked  how he was able to come up with sermon ideas week after week, month after month and year after year. His response was, “It’s simple. You just take a passage of Scripture and run to the cross.”

Sometimes, we make Bible study so complicated. We think we can’t do it right unless we have an expensive journal, colored pens, five different highlighters and a degree on the wall. Here is the simple truth. From Genesis to Revelation, it’s all about Jesus. Just like Marc Brown, God has written His child’s name on every page. He is there in every story. He is the fulfillment of every promise. He is hope. He is freedom. He is life.

So, when you next open those fabulous pages, look for Jesus. It’s His story.

Here are some links to help you focus on Him this week.

• That’s My King by Dr. S. M. Lockridge (This is a very short video, but it is POWERFUL. As Bro. Glenn used to say, “If that don’t light your fire, your wood must be wet.” Just try and not shout “amen.” I dare ya.)
• First and Last by Priscilla Shirer (I had the privilege of seeing this live and it still fires me up! Watch this video and be amazed at “who your daddy is!”)
• Was Jesus Dead, or Just Mostly Dead? by Dr. Stephen Drake at Always a Pastor (This is such a great post regarding the claim that maybe Jesus wasn’t really dead.)
• It’s Friday, but Sunday’s Coming  (Prepare for the chills that will run up and down your spine. Just try and stay in your seat when watching this.)

You, my friends, are adored and prayed for and so very loved.

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Stacy Edwards is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom

Ministry is messy.  People are broken and in desperate need of the Healer.

When I say ministry – don’t tune me out.  I don’t mean that it’s only messy for pastors or missionaries or Sunday school teachers.  Every Christ follower is called to a life of ministry: loving others, serving others, sharing the gospel.  The great commission is for all of us.  And it’s messy.

People are filled with shame, bitterness and disappointment.  They have tried to find their satisfaction in the things of this world and have been left with an emptiness that they simply do not know how to fill.

It’s really not that hard to understand.  The world has a lot of shiny things to offer.  For those not filled with the Holy Spirit, the glitter looks good even it if it isn’t gold.  The Bible says it this way…

A person who is full tramples on a honeycomb,
but to a hungry person, any bitter thing is sweet.- Proverbs 27:7

There are only two options: you are either full or you are hungry. The key, however, is that only God can truly fill us.

When we spend time in prayer, in Bible study and communion with God, we allow Him to fill us.  Then we are not interested in what the world offers – no matter how sweet it may appear.

Sadly, we often get too busy, too preoccupied, too tired to spend that time being filled.  We then wander out into the world hungry and, suddenly, everything seems sweet and desirable. We attempt to fill ourselves with material possessions, man’s praise and mundane pursuits.  Then, instead of feeling full and satisfied, we are left with the bitter aftertaste of disappointment and discouragement.

We need to fill ourselves with the Word and godly things.  It’s a dangerous thing to go out into the world with an emptiness inside.

We need to love our families well.  Fill them with love, respect and an understanding of who they are in Christ. Do not let them look to the world for their identity.

Be filled.  Then tell others how they can be filled, too.

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Stacy Edwards is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.

I have a great fear of dentists. I have never had a bad experience. In fact, I’ve never had so much as a cavity. Yet, right now? I have this one tooth that is giving me a bit of a fit. With my over-active imagination and a little help from WebMD, I’m pretty sure I need a root canal. And I’m terrified. Sure, I’ve have four c-sections and one emergency appendectomy which almost killed me, but a needle in my mouth just seems barbaric and painful. Did I mention I’m afraid?

Sometimes, God calls us to fearful things.  He leads us to walk on stormy seas and to risk all that we have in obedience to Him.  He does not, however, tell us the what and then leave us to figure out the how.  So, what is a person to do when God sends us out to confront our fears?

Then the Lord said to him, “Go back to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you.” – Genesis 31:3 HCSB

Go back home.  Those must have been scary words for Jacob.  Surely, he still remembered why he left home. His brother, Esau, was intent on killing him for stealing their father’s blessing.  Jacob had fled for his life and had no reason to believe anything had changed in Esau’s heart.  What was Jacob’s response? Honest obedience.

In the face of great fear and distress, Jacob does four things.

1. He calls upon God. (Genesis 32:9)  Whether we are dealing with fear, disappointment or sadness, there is only one place we should turn.
2. He remembers his place before God. (Genesis 32:10)  We are deserving of nothing good from God’s hand.
3. He admits his fear to God. (Genesis 32:11) We must go to God with our feelings.
4. He remembers the Word of God. (Genesis 32:12)  In our times of fear and distress, we must remember the promises of God.

There is no way around it – sometimes God calls us to face the fearful things in our lives.  But, look back at God’s words to Jacob.  He instructs Jacob to face his fear and He promises to be with him in the very same breath.

You do not face your fears alone. Whether God has called you to the mission field, to face a scary illness or loss or to stand for Him in the face of opposition – He goes with you.

And, next week, He and I are heading to the dentist.

You, my friends, are adored. I pray your weekend is full of things that remind you of that truth.

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Stacy Edwards is a trucker’s daughter and a pastor’s wife. She is a freelance writer and a homeschooling mom to four fabulous little girls. Stacy blogs at Servant’s Life where she uses her words to point others to the hope and encouragement found in Christ. If you need her, she’s probably hiding in the bathroom.