ENDURING THROUGH SUFFERING

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“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

You cannot view this verse in isolation you need to consider the previous verse first.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Philippians 4: 11

Philippians 4:13 is not about how one can literally do anything we put our minds to simply because we are in Christ. Paul has a specific context in mind here—and it is not about attaining your personal goals and aspirations, developing a healthy conception of self-worth, nor is it designed to be a coping mechanism to deal with the grit and grime of life. Truthfully, the passage isn’t even about finding the secret of contentment in all things, despite insistence from many that this is the focal point of this passage. This interpretation does have more validity to it due to the following passage.

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” Philippians 4:11-12

Paul undoubtedly affirms learning contentment in all circumstances. However, the overarching point of Paul to the Philippians in this passage is not contentment, but one of enduring through suffering, particularly, suffering brought on through no fault of our own.

Job a model of faithfulness in suffering

The Letter to the Philippians is one of Paul’s epistles written from prison, which means that as he pens this letter, he is chained to a Roman guard waiting for his trial before Caesar. In the midst of Paul’s expression of gratitude for their financial support, he takes the opportunity to encourage his people that Christ Himself is the source of all comfort, hope, and faith. The simple reason why Paul encourages them in this manner is they have been appointed, not only to eternal life but to suffer for the sake of Christ, which in particular for them means they will experience the same things Paul has (Philippians 1:29-30). Paul is not only referring to being jailed for Christ’s sake, but to enduring physical persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).

It is in light of this that Paul then ministers to those in Philippi by highlighting the hope of the gospel, the resurrection, and the object of their faith: Jesus Christ. He is all-sufficient and provides for our every need by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible teaches us how to embrace suffering for the glory of Christ because it is the means by which we enter His Kingdom.

Adapted from articles by Grayson Gilbert on Suffering. Click on embrace suffering and you will connect to another great article by Grayson Gilbert.

MORE ON THE METAVERSE AND CHURCH

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On this podcast Christian Post reporter Leonardo Blair poses a fascinating question: Will the Metaverse end the megachurch? His answer is yes!

Blair joins Billy Hallowell on this podcast to discuss this issue. He explains what the metaverse is more broadly, how the churches are using it – and his prediction of what might happen to metaverse complexes amid the increasing turn to the use of technology by churches. They maintain that there are benefits for the metaverse as well as negatives.

https://player.edifi.app/embed/index.html#/episodes/What-Is-the-Metaverse-and-Is-It-Poised-to-Obliterate-Megachurches/4838533

FINNISH CHRISTIAN LEADERS NOT GUILTY OF HATE CRIME

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Dr. Päivi Räsänen, a medical doctor and member of parliament, and Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland who were put on trial for teaching what the Bible says about homosexuality were cleared of all charges. I have posted previously about this case and am delighted to be able to report a positive outcome. This is a big win for religious freedom.

The district court in Helsinki has announced its verdict in the trial.  All charges were dismissed. The unanimous, 28-page decision, stated that “it is not for the district court to interpret biblical concepts.”  Furthermore, the defendants had sought to “defend the concept of family and marriage between a man and a woman.” Though some people might find that offensive,  “there must be an overriding social reason for interfering with and restricting freedom of expression.”

“I am so grateful the court recognized the threat to free speech and ruled in our favour. I feel a weight has been lifted off my shoulders after being acquitted. Although I am grateful for having had this chance to stand up for freedom of speech, I hope that this ruling will help prevent others from having to go through the same ordeal,” said Päivi Räsänen after her victory.

MORE DETAIL ON EVENTS PRECEDING JESUS RETURN

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Will Jesus set foot on earth before the Second Coming? What does the Bible really tell us? In fact, Jesus arrives on earth an entire year prior to His return to fight Armageddon. Is this the acceptable year of the Lord described in Isaiah 61:2? In this Nelson Walters video, he examines four proofs that categorically prove Jesus is on earth prior to mounting his White Horse and leaving Heaven to fight Armageddon. What is the meaning of Jesus’ robe dipped in blood and how is it related to this concept? How are the Days of Noah involved? And does Satan know about Armageddon prior to Jesus riding the white horse to earth with the Saints? Is there a second Exodus with Jesus leading the Jews back to Israel from captivity?

LOVE OF GOD NEVER CEASES

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All of God’s promises are great and there are so many we will never exhaust them. But the following verse is such comfort it is worth putting it up somewhere to remind you. It is a popular verse so perhaps you have already done so.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-26

REINTRODUCING AMERICANS TO JESUS

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A group of private investors has launched a massive multi-million dollar ad campaign to reintroduce Americans to Jesus.

“He Gets Us” will reach people via TV, radio, digital ads, billboards, and experiential platforms. With a $100 million budget, it’s expected to start conversations among a wide array of people.

“Our focus is getting Jesus into the places where people are consuming a lot of media right now,” said Jason Vanderground, president of the marketing firm Haven, and one of the creators of the campaign.

“He Gets Us” follows nationwide research last year showing many adults in the U.S. aren’t sure what they believe and that many have negative views of Christianity.

Haven founder Bill McKendry says the campaign is targeting that audience. “‘He Gets Us’ is disrupting misconceptions by pointing out how Jesus identified with the marginalized, how He didn’t favor the powerful, how He often offended the religious by associating with social outcasts,” he said.

Dr. Ed Stetzer, the executive director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, says the research also shows that many people have a positive view of Jesus himself. “The hope of the ‘He Gets Us’ campaign is they might actually dig a little deeper,” he said.

The campaign’s ads focus on current issues like anxiety and crisis pregnancies.

“We looked at Jesus’ life and we looked at what the American public is going through right now and just said, ‘What are the things that are most relevant to people?‘” Vanderground explained.

In addition to the ads, the campaign also provides opportunities for people to chat, text and read passages of Scripture in an organized reading plan.

“The main goal is just to increase the respect and the personal relevancy of Jesus,” said Vanderground.

Stetzer says the campaign’s wide reach could lead to large numbers of people both seeing its ads and responding.

“We want to encourage people in this moment, a time of confusion and division,” said Stetzer. “Maybe this is an opportunity–not to vent everything we have an opinion about on social media–but to talk to our friends and neighbors about Jesus, who’ve seen these ads.”

The campaign is set to run through the end of 2022. It has to be good that Christian businessmen who do not want to be known are prepared to invest so much money in making Jesus known to people in a way that is relevant to them and who would not get to know Him any other way.

DENZEL WASHINGTON’S RESPONSE TO WILL SMITH’S SLAP

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Denzel Washington’s instant reaction to Will Smith’s Slap Is a convicting reminder to us all: ‘The Only Solution Was Prayer’

The actor knew the importance of turning to the Lord in the heat of the moment. Rather than join in panic, ignore the problem or take another worldly approach, Washington decided to act upon our Ephesians 6:18 mandate.

“Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”

Like the others around him, he could have remained seated in shock and awe. He could have whispered and wondered while disengaging from what was happening around him.

But Washington took a different route and decided to pray alongside Smith.

In reality, it was a simple act of obedience. But, in practice, Washington’s immediate, level-headed, and God-focused response to the crisis now poses a convicting reminder to us all.

As he explained: “The vast majority of us will never behave in a manner that garners international rebuke nor will we be witness to one, yet we all face trials, tribulations, and problems in our everyday lives. And when we do, what’s our first response?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s often much easier to rage, judge, yell, ignore, or flee. Yet we’re called to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” We’re called to seek the Lord not only when we face these situations but when others, too, are in the midst of turmoil.”

A MOVIE GOD WILL USE: “FATHER STU”

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This movie because it contains a lot of strong language will offend and be criticised by many Christians. However, strong language is an essential part of the redemptive story and the movie is aimed at reaching the unsaved. I am sure God will use it for His purposes. Mark Walhberg’s motives and inspiration are good.

“If this is a movie that really changes people’s lives and motivates them and inspires them to do great things — you know, all I really gotta do is convert one person, and I get to go through the pearly gates,” he explained. “So If I can continue to do that in a major way, remaining humble and just doing it for all the right reasons, then I would much rather have that be my legacy than being the biggest box office star in the world.”

Mark Wahlberg says God was behind his new film ‘Father Stu,’ In an interview with Faithwire he speaks out against culture’s lack of grace.

Now a believer, Wahlberg has experienced redemption in his personal life and believes our culture could benefit from equal doses of grace and forgiveness.

“This movie has a very clear message that we are not going to give up on people,” he said. “We are not going to turn our backs on people because of mistakes that they’ve made. We are going to tell people and encourage people that nobody is beyond redemption and that we support you, we love you, we accept you for who you are.”

Part of why cancel culture is so toxic is because, as Wahlberg said, “there’s nothing worse than when somebody realizes that people don’t care,” because it causes them to “lose hope and have no faith.”

“You cannot give up on people,” the A-lister continued. “And people are so quick to turn their backs on people. And negativity as a whole has just been amplified in a way that it’s really hard to remind people of the importance of loving and supporting people.”

Wahlberg himself is evidence of that redemption. After a wake-up call of his own many years ago, when he spent a little more than a month behind bars, Wahlberg began to focus on his own Christian faith and, as a result, “all these little good things started to happen” in his life.

If you live in the USA make sure you take your unsaved family and friends to see the movie which debuts in theatres nationwide next week, just in time for Easter. Those living outside of the USA will need to wait a little longer but please pray that God will use the film mightily for His purposes.

FALSE PROPHETS AND TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS

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Some of the most popular preaching in America presents a message of positive thinking. The alternative Gospel of Joel Osteen and the prosperity preachers, Copeland, Hinn, Hagan, Meyer, Hickey, Price, Roberts Hagee, Tilton, Koontz, and sadly many others, forgo the cross and advises us to merely “do our best.” At its heart, this is pure legalism of the worst variety. In this message, Dr. John MacArthur examines the alternative gospel of the prosperity preachers and explains why legalism-lite is still legalism. This message is from MacArthur’s 2010 West Coast Conference, “Christless Christianity” and is an end-times sign.