Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

January 6
Sunday



RIPPLE EFFECT

READ:
Philippians 1:3-11
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I pray... that you
may approve the things
that are excellent.
__ Philippians
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As a kid, one of my favorite pastimes was skipping stones across the surface of a smooth lake. Inevitably, ripples would flow from the impact of the stone.

It's like that with choices. Every choice we make creates a ripple effect on our lives as well as on the lives of others. The choices we have made throughout life determine where we are and what we are becoming.

Choices are also telling. What we really want, love, and think show up in the choices we make.

It's no wonder then that Paul urged us to make "excellent" choices-- choices that emanate from a heart fully committed to Jesus. He stated that when our love abounds in knowledge and discernment, we are able to understand what is best, so that we may "approve the things that are excellent" (Phil. 1:9-10). Excellent choices are the proof of a life that is deeply committed to Jesus and His ways, and they have the ripple effect of filling our lives "with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (v.11).

As a friend of mine wisely told me, our lives are not made by the dreams we dream but by the choices we make. Let's make excellent ones!
__ Joe Stowell
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Do a deed of simple kindness,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Though its end you may not see;~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~It may reach, like widening ripples,~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Down a long eternity. __ Norris~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Make an excellent choice
and watch the ripple effect of blessing.

*************Today's Bible Reading __ Philippians 1:3-11************

3 I thank my God upon
every remembrance of you,

4 always in every prayer of
mine making request for
you all with joy, 5 for your
fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now,

6 being confident of this
very thing, that He who has
begun a good work in you
will complete it until the
day of Jesus Christ; 7 just as
it is right for me to think
this of you all, because I
have you in my heart,
inasmuch as both in my
chains and in the defense
and confirmation f the
gospel, you all are partakers
with me of grace. 8 For God
is my witness, how greatly
I long for you all with the
affection of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray, that your
love may abound still more
and more in knowledge and
all discernment, 10 that you
may approve the things that
are excellent, that you may
be sincere and without
offense till the day of
Christ, 11 being filled with
the fruits of righteousness
which are by Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of
God.

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

As Paul wirtes this letter, he is under house arrest in Rome, awaiting
trial before Caesar. This adds to the impact of his words, for in
those conditions he writes, "For to me, to live is Chirst, and to die is
gain (Phil. 1:21), and "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be
content" (4:11). These are great words of trust and confidence for
anyone in challenging times. __WEC