Breakout Begins!

I would be lying if I didn't tell you how excited I am about our Breakout series starting this Sunday, June 1. This series will cover several areas:

First, we'll be working our way through Philippians, one of the great letters of the New Testament. You'll be amazed at the ways God speaks to us when we systematically work through His word. So come eager to experience what God will apply. I've been reading through the entire letter everyday, and can't wait to share what God has been putting on my heart.

Second, as individuals this series will help empower us to break free from sin and give our lives freely to God. The theme of the letter is joy, and we'll uncover the heart of the joy-filled Christian life.

Third, this series will set the stage for our church to breakout, break free, and break loose on London! I'm praying seriously that God will take our church to the next level over the next two months. I'm praying that we...

• Breakout of our comfort zone and start bringing our friends and family to worship.
• Breakout of our worship and share God's love with the world.
• Breakout of our theatre as we fill all 350 seats.
• Breakout into Connections Groups and break into real community.

I can't wait to worship with you on Sunday. It's going to be awesome!

The Breakout Challenge, Day 2

For day 2 of the Breakout Challenge we go to a paraphrase of Philippians.

Philippians 1 (The Message)

The Message (MSG)

Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Philippians 1

1-2Paul and Timothy, both of us committed servants of Christ Jesus, write this letter to all the followers of Jesus in Philippi, pastors and ministers included. We greet you with the grace and peace that comes from God our Father and our Master, Jesus Christ.

A Love That Will Grow

3-6Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God's Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.

7-8It's not at all fanciful for me to think this way about you. My prayers and hopes have deep roots in reality. You have, after all, stuck with me all the way from the time I was thrown in jail, put on trial, and came out of it in one piece. All along you have experienced with me the most generous help from God. He knows how much I love and miss you these days. Sometimes I think I feel as strongly about you as Christ does!

9-11So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover's life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.

They Can't Imprison the Message

12-14I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I'm in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they've learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.

15-17It's true that some here preach Christ because with me out of the way, they think they'll step right into the spotlight. But the others do it with the best heart in the world. One group is motivated by pure love, knowing that I am here defending the Message, wanting to help. The others, now that I'm out of the picture, are merely greedy, hoping to get something out of it for themselves. Their motives are bad. They see me as their competition, and so the worse it goes for me, the better—they think—for them.

18-21So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

And I'm going to keep that celebration going because I know how it's going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose.

22-26As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it's better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We'll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.

27-30Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people's trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they're up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.

Philippians 2

He Took on the Status of a Slave

1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.

9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

Rejoicing Together

12-13What I'm getting at, friends, is that you should simply keep on doing what you've done from the beginning. When I was living among you, you lived in responsive obedience. Now that I'm separated from you, keep it up. Better yet, redouble your efforts. Be energetic in your life of salvation, reverent and sensitive before God. That energy is God's energy, an energy deep within you, God himself willing and working at what will give him the most pleasure.

14-16Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I'll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You'll be living proof that I didn't go to all this work for nothing.

17-18Even if I am executed here and now, I'll rejoice in being an element in the offering of your faith that you make on Christ's altar, a part of your rejoicing. But turnabout's fair play—you must join me in my rejoicing. Whatever you do, don't feel sorry for me.

19-24I plan (according to Jesus' plan) to send Timothy to you very soon so he can bring back all the news of you he can gather. Oh, how that will do my heart good! I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I'm hoping and praying to be right on his heels.

25-27But for right now, I'm dispatching Epaphroditus, my good friend and companion in my work. You sent him to help me out; now I'm sending him to help you out. He has been wanting in the worst way to get back with you. Especially since recovering from the illness you heard about, he's been wanting to get back and reassure you that he is just fine. He nearly died, as you know, but God had mercy on him. And not only on him—he had mercy on me, too. His death would have been one huge grief piled on top of all the others.

28-30So you can see why I'm so delighted to send him on to you. When you see him again, hale and hearty, how you'll rejoice and how relieved I'll be. Give him a grand welcome, a joyful embrace! People like him deserve the best you can give. Remember the ministry to me that you started but weren't able to complete? Well, in the process of finishing up that work, he put his life on the line and nearly died doing it.

Philippians 3

To Know Him Personally

1 And that's about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don't mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don't mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry—so here goes.

2-6Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they're interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ's praise as we do it. We couldn't carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God's law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God's law Book.

7-9The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I've dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn't want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God's righteousness.

10-11I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.

Focused on the Goal

12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

17-19Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.

20-21But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.

Philippians 4

1 My dear, dear friends! I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God.

Pray About Everything

2I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn't want his children holding grudges.

3And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you're right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.

4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Content Whatever the Circumstances

10-14I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles.

15-17You Philippians well know, and you can be sure I'll never forget it, that when I first left Macedonia province, venturing out with the Message, not one church helped out in the give-and-take of this work except you. You were the only one. Even while I was in Thessalonica, you helped out—and not only once, but twice. Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

18-20And now I have it all—and keep getting more! The gifts you sent with Epaphroditus were more than enough, like a sweet-smelling sacrifice roasting on the altar, filling the air with fragrance, pleasing God no end. You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus. Our God and Father abounds in glory that just pours out into eternity. Yes.

21-22Give our regards to every follower of Jesus you meet. Our friends here say hello. All the Christians here, especially the believers who work in the palace of Caesar, want to be remembered to you.

23Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves.

The Breakout Challenge

Here it is.
Real simple.
We start our series "Breakout" this coming Sunday.
The best way to prepare...

Read the letter to the church in Philippi ever day for the next week.
Read it like the way it was meant to be heard- all at once, in one sitting.
It takes 10-15 minutes tops, and that's reading slowly.
It will prepare your heart and mind to breakout and be transformed this June and July.

I'll be sending it out in a different translation/paraphrase everyday this week to aid your study.

Philippians 1 (English Standard Version)

English Standard Version (ESV)

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Philippians 1

Greeting

1Paul and Timothy, servants^[a] of Christ Jesus,

To all the^(A) saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the^(B) overseers^[b] and^(C) deacons:^[c]

2^(D) Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

3^(E) I thank my God^(F) in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5^(G) because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began^(H) a good work in you^(I) will bring it to completion at^(J) the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you^(K) in my heart, for you are all^(L) partakers with me of grace,^[d] both^(M) in my imprisonment and in^(N) the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8For^(O) God is my witness,^(P) how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9And it is my prayer that^(Q) your love may abound more and more,^(R) with knowledge and all discernment, 10so that you may approve what is excellent,^(S) and so be pure and blameless^(T) for the day of Christ, 11filled^(U) with the fruit of righteousness that comes^(V) through Jesus Christ,^(W) to the glory and praise of God.

The Advance of the Gospel

12I want you to know, brothers,^[e] that what has happened to me has really^(X) served to advance the gospel, 13so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard^[f] and^(Y) to all the rest that^(Z) my imprisonment is for Christ. 14And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold^(AA) to speak the word^[g] without fear.

15^(AB) Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16The latter do it out of love,^(AC) knowing that I am put here for^(AD) the defense of the gospel. 17The former proclaim Christ^(AE) out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

To Live Is Christ

Yes, and I will rejoice, 19for I know that^(AF) through your prayers and^(AG) the help of^(AH) the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20as it is my eager expectation and hope^(AI) that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full^(AJ) courage now as always Christ^(AK) will be honored in my body,^(AL) whether by life or by death. 21For to me^(AM) to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23^(AN) I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is^(AO) to depart and^(AP) be with Christ, for that is far better. 24But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25^(AQ) Convinced of this,^(AR) I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your^(AS) progress and^(AT) joy in the faith, 26so that in me^(AU) you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.

27Only^(AV) let your manner of life be^(AW) worthy^[h] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you^(AX) that you are standing firm in one spirit, with^(AY) one mind^(AZ) striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is^(BA) a clear sign to them of their destruction, but^(BB) of your salvation, and that from God. 29For^(BC) it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also^(BD) suffer for his sake, 30engaged in the same^(BE) conflict that^(BF) you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 2

Christ’s Example of Humility

1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from^(A) love, any^(B) participation in the Spirit, any^(C) affection and sympathy, 2^(D) complete my joy by being^(E) of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from^(F) rivalry or^(G) conceit, but in^(H) humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4Let each of you^(I) look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5^(J) Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,^[a] 6^(K) who, though he was in^(L) the form of God, did not count equality with God^(M) a thing to be grasped, 7but^(N) made himself nothing, taking the form of a^(O) servant,^[b](P) being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form, he humbled himself by^(Q) becoming obedient to the point of death,^(R) even death on a cross. 9^(S) Therefore^(T) God has^(U) highly exalted him and bestowed on him^(V) the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus^(W) every knee should bow,^(X) in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and^(Y) every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is^(Z) Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Lights in the World

12Therefore, my beloved,^(AA) as you have always^(AB) obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13for^(AC) it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for^(AD) his good pleasure.

14Do all things^(AE) without grumbling or^(AF) questioning, 15that you may be blameless and innocent,^(AG) children of God^(AH) without blemish^(AI) in the midst of^(AJ) a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine^(AK) as lights in the world, 16holding fast to^(AL) the word of life, so that in^(AM) the day of Christ^(AN) I may be proud that^(AO) I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17Even if I am to be^(AP) poured out as a drink offering upon^(AQ) the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19I hope in the Lord Jesus^(AR) to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. 20For I have no one^(AS) like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. 21For they all^(AT) seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22But you know Timothy’s^[c](AU) proven worth, how^(AV) as a son^[d] with a father^(AW) he has served with me in the gospel. 23I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24and^(AX) I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also.

25I have thought it necessary to send to you^(AY) Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and^(AZ) fellow soldier, and your messenger and^(BA) minister to my need, 26for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. 27Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. 29So^(BB) receive him in the Lord with all joy, and^(BC) honor such men, 30for he nearly died^(BD) for the work of Christ, risking his life^(BE) to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Philippians 3

Righteousness Through Faith in Christ

1Finally, my brothers,^[a](A) rejoice in the Lord.^(B) To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.

2Look out for^(C) the dogs, look out for^(D) the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3For^(E) we are the circumcision,^(F) who worship^(G) by the Spirit of God^[b] and^(H) glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4^(I) though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5^(J) circumcised on the eighth day,^(K) of the people of Israel,^(L) of the tribe of Benjamin,^(M) a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6^(N) as to zeal,^(O) a persecutor of the church;^(P) as to righteousness under the law,^[c] blameless. 7But^(Q) whatever gain I had,^(R) I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of^(S) the surpassing worth of^(T) knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I^(U) have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having^(V) a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but^(W) that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10^(X) that I may know him and^(Y) the power of his resurrection, and^(Z) may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may^(AA) attain the resurrection from the dead.

Straining Toward the Goal

12Not that I have already^(AB) obtained this or^(AC) am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do:^(AD) forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for^(AE) the prize of the upward^(AF) call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are^(AG) mature think this way, and if in anything^(AH) you think otherwise,^(AI) God will reveal that also to you. 16Only^(AJ) let us hold true to what we have attained.

17Brothers,^(AK) join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk^(AL) according to the example you have in us. 18For^(AM) many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you^(AN) even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19^(AO) Their end is destruction,^(AP) their god is their belly, and^(AQ) they glory in their shame, with^(AR) minds set on earthly things. 20But^(AS) our citizenship is in heaven, and^(AT) from it we^(AU) await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform^(AV) our lowly body^(AW) to be like his glorious body,^(AX) by the power that enables him even^(AY) to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 4

1Therefore, my brothers,^[a] whom I love and^(A) long for,^(B) my joy and^(C) crown,^(D) stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Exhortation, Encouragement, and Prayer

2I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to^(E) agree in the Lord. 3Yes, I ask you also, true companion,^[b] help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,^(F) whose names are in the book of life.

4^(G) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.^(H) The Lord is at hand; 6^(I) do not be anxious about anything,^(J) but in everything by prayer and supplication^(K) with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And^(L) the peace of God,^(M) which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9What you have learned and^(N) received and heard and seen^(O) in me—practice these things, and^(P) the God of peace will be with you.

God’s Provision

10I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length^(Q) you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be^(R) content. 12I 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^(S) hunger, abundance and^(T) need. 13I can do all things^(U) through him who strengthens me.

14Yet it was kind of you^(V) to share^[c] my trouble. 15And you Philippians yourselves know that^(W) in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia,^(X) no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. 17^(Y) Not that I seek the gift, but I seek^(Z) the fruit that increases to your credit.^[d] 18I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied,^(AA) having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,^(AB) a fragrant offering,^(AC) a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 19And my God^(AD) will supply every need of yours^(AE) according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20To^(AF) our God and Father be^(AG) glory forever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings

21Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.^(AH) The brothers who are with me greet you. 22^(AI) All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.

23^(AJ) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Walk Hard

Series: Connections Gives Back
May 25, 2008

Last Sunday we started our mini-series on Connections Gives Back. We began looking at this foundational passage for the church, and for Christ-followers, Micah 6:8, “What does the Lord require of you? To do justly, to love mercy, to walk humble with you God.” A mission for all the people of God to guide and direct our lives- corporately as the church and individually as brothers and sisters in Christ. We got started on the first part- do justly (Notice I didn’t say we finished, because really, we’ve only scratched the surface in looking at the call to justice). Today we move on to mercy and walking with God.

Read the whole sermon at cccsermons.blogspot.com or listen at connectionschurch.ca

Remember the 8th

I'm talking about the 8th commandment, "Do not steal."
Yesterday my bike was stolen (this is one of my few pictures to remember her)
RIP: 2002-2008
I can't believe she's gone.
She was beautiful, and served me well for 6 years.
The years flew by.
She was in great condition.
Sure her rims were a bit out of true, she had a couple of scratches, but she was still in excellent shape.
Someone else obviously liked her looks as well.
Cut my lock in broad daylight.
I was surprisingly not mad, considering my insurance deductible is $1000 so it's not worthy submitting as a claim. But I was still pretty upset.
I walked around the area for about 15 minutes to see if the thief dumped her.
I prayed prayers I don't think I've ever prayed before.

First, I honestly prayed to love my enemy.
If I meet this person I will tell them about Jesus.

And then I prayed, in love, that God would smite this person something fierce.
Really.
I pray they will wreak on my bike and get hurt pretty bad.
I pray they will get boils and go bald.
I pray they will be plagued with digestive problems.

And I pray they will repent of this sin, turn their life around, and come to Jesus.
If they do that, I don't even care if I get my bike back.

So if you see an incontinent, bald, boiled and bandaged person riding a silver and black Diamond Back, fully-suspended mountain bike...

Don't bother telling them to give the bike back, tell them to give their life to Jesus.
He'll work the rest out I'm sure!