Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

October 8
Monday


BE COACHABLE

READ:
Philippians 4:10-19
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I have learned in
whatever state I am,
to be content,
__Philippians 4:11
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Casey Seymour, a successful soccer player and coach, notes that everyone on his team hates the 10-by-100 drill that ends practice. Before the men can leave the field, they must run 100 yards 10 times at full speed with minimal rest. If they don't beat a prescribed time, they have to do it again.

The players hate it--until the day of the game. Then they find that they can play at full capacity for the entire match. Their effort has been rewarded with a championship!

The apostle Paul used metaphors of training and competition in his letter. While he was a missionaary to the Gentiles, he submitted to the instructions and drills of God amid great suffering and hardship. Twice in Philippians 4, he said, "I have learned" (vv.11-122). For him, and for each of us, following Jesus is a lifelong learning process. We are not spiritually mature the day we are saved, any more than a schoolboy athlete is ready for professional soccer. We grow in faith as we allow God through His Word and the Holy Spirit to empower us to serve Him.

Through hardship, Paul learned to serve God well--and so can we. It's not pleasant, but it is rewarding! The more teachable we are, the more mature we will become. As members of Christ's team, let's be coachable. __ Dave Egner
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Oh, it's hard to learn the lesson,~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~As we pass beneath the rod,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~That the sunshine and the shadow~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~Serve alike the will of God. __ Anon.~~~~~~~~~~~
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God's work in us isn't over when we receive Christ
it has just begun.

**************Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 4:10-19*********

10 But I rejoiced in the
Lord greatly that now at last
your care for me has
flourished again; though
you surely did care, but you
lacked opportunity. 11 Not
that I speak in regard to
need, for I have learned in
whatever state I am, to be
content: 12 I know how to
be abased, and I know how
to abound. Everywhere and
in all things I have learned
both to be full and to be
hungry, both to abound and
to suffer need. 13 I can do
all things through Christ
who strengthens me.

14 Nevertheless you have
done well that you shared
in my distress. 15 Now you
Philippians know also that
in the beginning of the
gospel, when I departed
from Macedonia, no church
shared with me concerning
giving and receiving but
you only. 16 For even in
Thessalonica you sent aid
once and again for my
necessities. 17 Not that I
seek the gift, but I seek the
fruit that abounds to your
account. 18 Indeed I have all
and abound. I am full,
having received from
Epaphroditus the things
sent from you, a sweet-
smelling aroma, and
acceptable sacrifice, well
pleasing to God. 19 And my
God shall supply all your
need according to His
richees inglory by Christ
Jeuss.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This letter was written to Philippi, a congregation dear to Paul. This
community of believers had been established by Paul in response to
the "Macedonian vision" (Acts 16), which prompted him to venture
onto European soil for the first time with the message of Christ. The
church contained several key people--Lydia (the seller of purple
cloth), a young woman delievered from demons, and the Philippian
jailer. Paul's mission had borne eternal fruit. __WEC