Focusing on self will bring disunity. It's crucial that our actions create motion that will progress the church as a whole. Pastor Ed reminds us today that we are here to serve one another, so that we can progress God's word together. We're not here to achieve our personal agendas. Though it's ok to have things that you wish to accomplish in the church. It's crucial that the spirit of unity take precedence over all else. The balance will be difficult at times, but know that this is God's garden. It will grow.

Many churches have fallen apart because of disunity. Whether it's basic disagreements taken too far, or gossip gone astray, disunity can occur and lead to division. Pastor Ed tells us Paul warned the Philippians to be cautious of wrecking their church over petty things, and that today, we too must be cautious. The enemy will do all that he can in order to wreck the church. The simplest way for us to allow him to do so, is by not standing united. In your church, strive to take part and bring others in.

There is a common misconception that to become a Christian means to you will be blessed and find a joyous life. Though blessings and joy will come, it's important to understand that with Christianity comes a responsibility which may cause much strife from the world. Pastor Ed tells us, that as Christians we need to stand up for morality and God. Doing this we will make enemies. Jesus represents a way of life which the world will hate. In following Him we risk much, including our lives.

We need to be aware of the fact that we are representing something greater than ourselves. Our actions are judged by those around us. Today, Pastor Ed asks whether or not others are seeing Godly examples from us. Paul told the Philippians that they needed to live as citizens of heaven. Through this they came to understand that the things they did would represent the entire Christian community. If you claim to the world that you are a Christian, know that the world looks to you for an example of Christ.

What is your number one priority in life? For many of us, we get distracted by our jobs, families, and education and begin to make idols out of these things. But in today's message, Pastor Ed encourages us to take a cue from the Apostle Paul. It's clear in the book of Philippians that Paul, despite his circumstances, put Christ at the center. He strove to magnify the Lord. When we do this, everything else will naturally fall into place. The Lord will direct our paths, and take care of our every step

How do you rise up against humiliation and defeat? It takes knowing where our security comes from—it comes from being confident in Christ. Today, Pastor Ed explains that like the Apostle Paul, we can rise above our troubling circumstances when we're secure in the Lord. Further, we can have vindication and victory in Him when we're equipped with prayer and support from the Body of Christ. When Jesus is magnified at the center of our lives, then we can rest in the confidence of God!

We all need reminders in our day to day lives on how to overcome adversity. We haven't been promised to coast through life without experiencing any trouble, but we have been given Jesus who will help us through any trial we face. And in today's message, Pastor Ed teaches that what keeps us going as Christians is our desire to glorify God no matter our circumstances. Regardless of what we may experience in life, we should pray that the Lord would be magnified in our lives.

What do you do when you experience heartache and trials? Some people are tempted in difficult times to become wearied and give up. But in today's message, Pastor Ed reminds us that God can use the darkest night and make it bright. He can take our disappointments and sadness and use it for His glory. But, first, we have to give it to Him. The Lord will redeem our suffering for our benefit and for the advancement of His Kingdom. What suffering do you need to offer to Jesus today?

What does it mean to love others? The Apostle Paul prays in Philippians that the Church would abound in love. But what does this mean? In today's message, Pastor Ed explains that love is an action--a giving of ourselves purely to others. It means not giving to others with strings attached or looking for something in return. Further, to love others is to recognize their needs and cause others not to stumble. The world will know us by our love, so we need to be pure, blameless, and transparent!

In today's message, Pastor Ed asks us: when people bump into you, what spills over? That is, when we're having a bad day and people push our buttons, do we respond in love or do we respond in anger? We must ask that God would fill us with more and more love each day, and that He'd cast out our anger. What spills out of us is what we're filled with, so we need to be sure to fill ourselves up with the Love of God. We all need to ask that the Lord would give us more of His ever increasing Grace and Love.