Monday, December 19, 2011

More like YOUR words...

My blogger name is mythoughtsandYourWords; meaning the things i think about being my words- but then what does God have to say about it- Your Words. This blog will be more like a YourWords blog.

This morning I read Philippians 1 and 2. I love reading this book, especially since Crosswave (youth discipleship team that uses the arts to proclaim Christ in churches and to others) is reading it as well. While I was reading these 2 chapters, several verses popped out at me.

Phil. chapter 1: 7-11
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. 8God 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.

Again, this is Paul writing to the saints in Philippi. The phrase that really spoke to me and stood out to me was "God can testify how I long for all of you WITH THE AFFECTION OF CHRIST JESUS". say what? yes- Paul longs for the saints with the affection of Christ Jesus. Just that little phrase blows me away. 1- that God would give us that much affection for others by HIS doing, and 2- it's the affection of Jesus Christ-MY Lord and Savior and Faithful Friend.

The other part of chapter 1 that stood out to me was verses 21-26
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.

Many times I think about Christ coming back and when is he coming back. One time I thought- wouldn't it be great if Christ came back before exams, or before my project? But back to the verses- when we hear a little taste of what Heaven will be like- for Christians- we long to be with Christ and we long for that perfect place and to be with Christ forever and ever. Paul says that while he yearns to be with Christ, he feel it's more necessary to be in the body here on earth. What a great example of how life is not all about me. It's also encouraging to know that my life here on earth is a blessing to others. With the phrase in mind- "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" makes perfect sense when I think about my life. The reason I'm living IS for Christ to be known and when I die, I know that I'll be with Christ forever! no second guessing.