DAYS! Everything seems to be going wrong. You are facing challenge and adversity at work or school or home. Or maybe you say the wrong thing. Or you say the right thing at the wrong time. Nothing is going right. It happens to all of us. Fortunately, not all the time. It even happened to the Apostle Paul. He
was in prison. The government was looking to put him on trial and possibly
execute him for his faith. Now that’s really a bad day!
What was Paul's response?--To be joyful and to uplift others. Paul had an attitude of thankfulness and a spirit of joy. He also took time to write a letter of encouragement to those facing adversity. What a response! That's precisely the situation when Paul was writing the Philippians. And he writes them that he has THEM in HIS prayers. It is also a prayer for each of us and a great lesson on how to deal with challenge and adversity. Paul writes:
(scripture of the week)
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is
best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and
praise of God!" (Phil.1.9-11)
(prayer of the week)
Lord, facing the greater challenges, help me to know your love and grace in a greater way. Help me to take the time to encourage someone today. With the Apostle Paul I pray “that our love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is
best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and
praise of God!" Amen.
Have a great week! –Pastor TJ
(quote of the week)
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one come to you without leaving happier”—Mother Teresa
Listen to recent sermons by Dr. TJ Jenney at http://inspiresundaymessages.blogspot.com/
Check the latest leadership blog by Dr. TJ http://www.drtj.us