The halfbaked Bard

Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. Phil:3:1. As a final statement. A final reminder. Rejoice. Rejoice is a word that resonates in this epistle again and again. Circumstances should not define you. Fears shouldn't tell you how you are. Uncertainties shouldn't proclaim your destiny. But joy. The joy of the Lord should be your strength. The abounding joy that the Lord promises. The peace that passeth all understanding. The joy that we belong to our Father. The joy that I am His very own possession and He holds me close to His bosom. That I am safe in the arms of Jesus. Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ. I am His. If this rules my heart always, I will greet every sickness, every disappointment with a smile. I will face uncertainties boldly for I know my Father is in control of my life. And I am in the center of His palm. Yes He will not leave me. Nor will He forsake me. Image credit: https://www.magnific.com/premium-ai-image/jesus-little-girl-are-s...

Phil:2:15-16 You shine like the stars in the universe as you hold the word of life . In this crooked and depraved generation  Stand blameless and pure  As children of God without fault Stand out shining The key is to hold out the word of life Because that is the difference Because that brings the difference The Word of God Jesus Christ in you In comparison to the prince of the earth Ruling and controlling This crooked generation  Retorting back will not work Not will behaving the same way sort out. Only the Word of life. Image credit : https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-to-find-the-ten-brightest-stars-in-the-night-sky-180985148/

For it is God who works in you, to will and to act in order to fulfil His good purpose. Phil:2:13 God's idea is to fulfil His purpose in you, which is His good purpose. In order to fulfil that, He will work in you. To will and to act. He will create in you a desire and equip you to act accordingly. To create in you a desire to know Him and equip you to read the word and understand it - He will act. To live in faith, despite evidence to the contrary - He will give grace. God will do it. We just have to trust Him. Image courtesy: https://www.monergism.com/reformation-theology/blog/it-god-who-works-you-both-will-and-work

Phil:2:6-11 Christ was exalted when He humbled. He humbled Himself In obedience even until death Therefore the Father exalted Him And His name above all else. He made Himself nothing. Therefore the Father exalted Him. That at the name of Jesus Every knee should bow In heaven, in earth and under the earth And every tongue confess That Jesus Christ is Lord To the glory of God the Father. In true humility, there would be exaltation God would cause it, because He resists the proud. But if you dream to be exalted, while you humble, Then that is not the true humility intended. That is only a shortcut you desire, to exaltation. In true humility, there is servanthood. There is selflessness. There is only absolute giving Not what would I gain. When Jesus humbled Himself . He was only mindful of me. He was only thinking of me. He was only thinking of redeeming me. Back to His bosom. The lost me. He was only willing. To be separated from the Father Out of His love for me. He was only...

Phil:2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Man's innate nature is self centredness. To project oneself. To do things to gratify his own nature. To highlight himself. To focus the limelight on self. Whatever good deeds or sinful act you do, it focuses on your own self. But Paul admonishes to do nothing out of selfish ambition. Infact he encourages to do things considering others better than yourself. Like Jesus. Paul sites the example of our Saviour - to have the attitude of Christ, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. He considered us more important than His privileges and positions. He considered to share His position with us. While we were still His enemies. Jonathan loved David as himself. Despite knowing the truth that David is going to take the throne that was supposedly his. To serve; to help; to do things for my own brother even if I have...

Phil:1:27 Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Live a life that is worthy of the precious gospel you have received. Live your life with love, with peace, with joy, with kindness, with humility - as you have received a treasure. Reflecting the One who called you. Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God For I will yet praise Him My Saviour and my God. Ps:42:11 Worrying and fretting is not living a life worthy of the gospel. Where is the smile? Where is the excitement that you are expected to have because of the gospel.  He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil:1:6. He has got it in control. He has got the whole world in His hands. So when disturbing thoughts come (for they will come for sure), I will focus on His beautiful face, my Saviour who loved me and think of the ways He had led me this far. How from the fiery hell He has save...