Family Bible Study

You know, I put off reading this for so long because of a fear that I’m just now realizing I have habitually: I’m afraid God won’t speak to me.  But yet again He has come through.  I need to start logging these instances.

Several things struck me in this first chapter of Philippians:

1. Paul’s love for the believers. I thought it was sweet that he said he always has joy when he prays for them.  It made me think of the love God has given me for my students this year.

2. The fact that God will complete His good work in the believers. I should apply this to my students also.  Sometimes I get so caught up in all that they are NOT.  It causes me to: stress out, worry about them, get frustrated, reprove them.  When I instead focus on God and what He’s doing, it causes me to: love them, encourage them, laugh with them, instruct them.

3. Because of Paul’s chains, the brothers in the Lord were encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. Funny.  I would have thought chains would have had the reverse effect.  Seeing chains as a consequence might make me afraid to say anything at all.

4. Paul said “to live is Christ.” I ought to have such a strong connection between the two.

5. In the second to last verse, we’re given the promise that we will indeed suffer for Christ. So why do I live life trying to avoid any kind of suffering whatsoever?  It’s not like I can avoid it, nor should I.  It’s good for me; everything given to me by God is a good thing.