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The world is a dangerous place - not because of evil people, but because of people who don't do anything about it. - Albert Einstein
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 GOOD from BAD
The Book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison. His
trial had probably already taken place, and he seemed to be waiting for
the verdict. It appears that he expected to be released but was
uncertain about it. Paul, no doubt, did not enjoy being imprisoned.
Nevertheless, it is interesting to note his attitude in Philippians
1:12. Here he said, "Now I want you to know, brethren, that my
circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel"
(NASB). One would have thought that Paul's imprisonment would have
hindered the gospel. Instead, it did the opposite; it caused the
"furtherance" (NKJV) of the gospel. How did this happen? How did bad
turn into good? Paul gives us an answer in the text.
The Gospel Spread
First, in verse 13, he said, "So that my bonds in Christ are manifest
(become well known, NASB) in all the palace, and in all other places."
Paul's imprisonment had given him the chance to preach the gospel in
Rome. It had given the gospel the publicity during his trial that it
would not otherwise have gotten.
Paul always seemed to make the best of whatever circumstance he found
himself in. Note his attitude on another occasion when he was unjustly
arrested (Acts 16:23-40). What happened to Paul was very bad. An event
like this would cause most people to want to "give up," especially if,
like Paul, their tribulation was for doing right instead of for doing
wrong. However, Paul made the best of this bad situation. He saw it as
a chance to preach the gospel in other places.
Today, we must learn to make the best out of adversity. We must use
adversity for whatever good that we can. The problem may be sickness,
persecution, or loss of loved ones. Whatever the adversity may be, we
can always gain from it. Also, like Paul, we should take advantage of
all kinds of situations and teach others. Who would have thought that
Paul could have turned his difficult situation into an opportunity to
teach others?
The Influence of Paul
The second reason that Paul gave to indicate how his imprisonment had
helped further the gospel is found in verse 14. This verse says, "And
many of the brethren in he Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much
more bold to speak the word without fear." Paul's courage inspired
others to boldly proclaim God's Word. You might say that Paul's good
traits "rubbed off" on others. Courage is sometimes contagious. Often
one person standing up in a complacent world and doing what is right
can inspire many others to do right. Many people want to do what is
right, but they need a leader to get them started. Paul was such a
person; we can be also. However, it takes courage to do this, and
sometimes a person must stand alone. Certainly, all of us have more
influence on others, for good or bad, than we realize.
Summation
Many bad things happen to us. However, the Christian can use
tribulation to his advantage. Romans 5:3 tells us that tribulation
(generally looked upon as bad) produces patience (which we need).
Tribulation can be a stumbling block or a stepping stone. It is up to
us to turn adversity into advantage. Paul's outlook in Rome helps us to
see this clearly.
- J. Mike Johnson |
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God's
Creation
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 The BIBLE
Our word "Bible" comes from the Greek biblia, which means "books." Such is a rather simple and unassuming name for what is arguably the greatest book ever written. It is hands down the best selling book in all of history, and its popularity has not declined over the past two thousand years. But what is the Bible? What message does it contain? What are we supposed to do with it?
The Bible is a collection of 66 books written by approximately 40 authors over a 1,500 year period (ca. 1400 BCE - 100 CE). It is commonly divided into two large sections: the Old and New Testaments. The Old Testament represents 39 books from Genesis to Malachi; it describes the creation of the universe, the earliest history of man, God's choice of Israel as His people, and the history of Israel and God's messages to Israel. The New Testament represents 27 books from Matthew to Revelation; it represents the story of the life of Jesus Christ and the beginning of His church, along with messages sent to the earliest churches.
The Bible claims to be the unique revelation of the God of the universe to mankind. The God who reveals Himself within its pages claims to be the sole God of the universe (Deuteronomy 4:35), and His Son, Jesus Christ, claims to represent the singular truth and way to God (John 14:6). While in times past God directly communicated with certain people of His own choosing, and through them revealed His will to mankind (2 Peter 1:20-21), the Bible gives no indication that He is still choosing such people today. The Bible indicates that within its pages man will find everything he needs to serve God according to His will (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
It is important to remember that the Bible itself is not God, and the Bible does not, by itself, represent faith. The Bible is best understood as a road map, the guide to life -- our instruction manual for our operation, so to speak. God would have us to understand His Word (2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 3:18), but it is not enough only to know what God has said. We are also supposed to understand what the Bible teaches so that we can apply its lessons to our lives (Hebrews 5:14, James 1:22-25). The Bible directs us to God and His Son Jesus Christ, and provides the way by which we can have faith in them and be their servants (Hebrews 11, Luke 17:7-10).
God has revealed His Word, the Bible, so that if you seek after God you may find Him and understand what He would have you to do (John 4:20-24, Romans 10:17).While many things in the Bible are difficult to understand, and you may require assistance in understanding them (cf. 2 Peter 3:16, Acts 8:31), know for certain that you can read and understand the Bible. God waits for you to open up His book so that you can understand how He would have you to to live, and we wait to assist you in any way you may need!
- Ethan R. Longhenry
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 Work's Bad Rap
Why do so many want to never have to work?
Symptoms abound that show Americans don't like their work. Each week
thousands exclaim "It's Friday!" In those two words is the promise of
time away from the salt mine. During the week employees discuss dreams
of retirement and how to speed up the process. Retirement, of course,
means never having to go to work again.
Then there are those who play the lotteries. No one likes paying taxes,
but many gladly pay a few bucks to their state government as they try
to woo Lady Luck.
An article on SavingAdvice.com, however, states the case bluntly:
"Don't waste your money." A typical state lottery, says the article,
has odds of winning at 1 in 18 million. A person is six times more
likely to be killed by a lightning strike, and three times more likely
to die in a car crash on the way to purchase that ticket. Such
facts, however, don't seem to dim the pursuit of a financial windfall.
People go to great lengths to never have to work again. Wouldn't life be simpler if we could make peace with our jobs?
Paul believed that a new view of work is possible. He said this to Christians at Ephesus:
"Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to
the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to
Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing
service, as to the Lord, and not to men" ( Ephesians 6:5-7, NKJV).
Paul's exhortation to servants in Titus 2:10 adds one more dimension to
this new view of work: "... that they may adorn the doctrine of God our
Savior in all things." The way we go about our daily employment
displays our view of God. A Christian has the opportunity on the job to
show the good difference God can make. Our faith is not just for Sunday
mornings; it shapes the attitudes we bring to the workplace.
Let us no longer view our jobs as a ball and chain that keeps us from
enjoying life. It's a new mission we've received. Through our work we
can show the devotion we have to the Lord who will one day lead us to
eternal rest ( Revelation 14:13).
- Tim Hall |
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The deterioration of every government
begins with the decay of the principles
upon which it was founded.
- Charles-Louis De Secondat
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