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Take 2 -- because I just accidentally closed out of this page while copying and pasting the Scripture for this afternoon's post... and, unlike the blog page, this side of the site doesn't auto save.* ;p ;p
What!!?? A second Sermon Summary this week?? Yeah, well stranger things have happened, right?? LOL
Not much to report since yesterday except for the fact that I was walking into the grocery store as my mother was walking out earlier. We spoke, she waited for me to shop, (which was about 5 minutes) and then I ended up going home with her. I stayed and visited with my parents for about an hour. As it turned out, my timing to leave was just as good as my timing at the store. The older couple who had been staying with them supposedly had an appointment in town today. From what I can gather, they either stayed over last night ahead of it, or will be staying tonight and going back to my uncle's place in Warner tomorrow. They are just waiting on an apartment here in Concord for a little while. In the meantime, they are "waiting to hear back" from a relative in Laconia so they can stay there until their apartment is ready. Personally, I feel like that's a lie. Who knows?? But, whatever. I got to spend some unexpected time with my parents this afternoon, so it's all good.
In reviewing my notes for this post, the expression, "Attitude of gratitude" came to mind as Pastor Matt's opening statement was "I thank God when I think of you...". (Phil. 1:3) At the same time, the old Disney movie, "Pollyanna" popped into my head.* After her accident, she makes a game of finding something positive in every day. That's the kind of life Jesus invites us into. A life of positivity in the midst of trouble.
As indicated above, our Scripture is from Philippians 1. Let's look --
Philippians 1:3-11
New International Version
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
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Paul thanked God every time he thought of the Church at Philippi due to their obvious and abundant love for God and generous and effective ministry to those around them. He encourages them by his confidence that the Father will keep them securely in His love until Jesus' Return.* He mentions as well about his prayer is that their love will continue to abound, their wisdom increase, and their righteousness would be proven out in the Gifts of the Spirit displayed in their daily lives.
Pastor Matt's insight here into Paul's heart included the fact that, although his body was not always in perfect health, and in spite of the fact that he was in prison much of the time for sharing the Gospel, he was still grateful for the ability to do so. He recognized that, in Christ, his body was just as it needed to be. In his brokenness, he could still celebrate the healing of others, have joy in worship, and appreciate warm hospitality from fellow Believers and friends. This is what can happen when we allow the Holy Spirit to breathe and act in and through us. Paul displayed humble service and the willingness to hearing of weakness in others. It was at this moment that Pastor Matt shared the fact that there was a House Church in the Midwest who were joining us online.
He went on to say that we should be open to celebrating each other's God-given uniqueness and quirkiness, as there is beauty in diversity. As Christians, we don't have to worry about taking the charge in this on our own. The Holy Spirit will flow as we allow and move with Him. It is important to remember that love is the mark of growth in God. We are His Ambassadors through time as we mark it while He is beyond time.
Grab a small snack as you contemplate this message and commune with God.
-- God Bless!!
Footnotes:
I've put in a request on the Feedback page that they set up the Forum pages to auto save, but no results yet... and that was at least 6 months ago!!
Speaking of Pollyanna, I just recently discovered that the girl the story was based on was from Littleton, NH!! How cool is that!!?? (Littleton is one of New Hampshire's smaller cities, located about 2 hrs. north on the highway. It's on the western side of the White Mountains.)
Verse 6, speaking of Paul's confidence that God will finish what He started in the heart of the Believer is one of many which support the truth of Eternal Security. I recently finished a blog post on that subject, be sure to look for it on the Reflections page.
Music -- Never any rights, I promise!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bOgOBFy9sE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzT26YVEr24
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaiQ8KiyM8k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoHrBNTfzIs
