Paul's life shows us one clear fact about who God chooses to use on a regular basis: broken people.  We're all broken, but if you want to be rebellious and live on your own, He can't use you.  If you humble your broken life before the LORD, He can bring healing and restore your life for His purpose.  We may not view ourselves as broken, but gifted and Paul could relate.  He's already mentioned all his stellar character traits, but He's learned how we cannot serve God as we must through our own strength....no matter how strong we are.  Are you ready to make your life count for a purpose you cannot fulfill apart from Him?

There's some actions in life which seem to matter more during certain moments than they do at others.  It's easy to say your vows at the altar, but it matters most when you and your spouse are in a time which is worse, not better.  Jesus believed in this; He tells us our ability to love those who don't love us matters more than the ability to love those who love us.  Am I able to follow the principles of God's Word when it matters most?

As humans, it seems one of our greatest struggles is the need to understand.  We want to know they why and what about everything, but it seems like we figure things out when we can look back.  Why does it take so long for us to understand?  The Apostle Paul knew why God placed him where he was and saw all he could achieve within the purpose of his call.  We need to have the same ability: to understand what God has assigned to all of us, so in every situation we can we can see the purpose of our placement.

It's easy to take prayer for granted.  We can begin to pray from memory the same things we prayed the day before and the weeks before that.  Prayer can become routine and lack feeling and power.  Paul mentions several times in Philippians how he is praying for them, and He mentions those prayers.  They were more than prayers for a good day and for their lives to go smoothly.....Paul said powerful prayers.  Real prayer possesses power and being able to speak with a living God and see His answers brings joy to our lives.

Joy - most people know what takes it from their life, but many don't know where to actually find it. So many people want it, but so few seem to be finding it.  Maybe you've given up on possessing joy because it seems temporary.  The struggles you face seem to keep joy from ever adhering to your life. So, the search is on....where do you find genuine joy and possess it?  Our new series from the book of Philippians will help you find, possess and keep genuine lasting joy!

You've probably heard some bold claims in your life: "Home of the world's greatest....." or maybe, "Bet you can't eat just one!"  Bold claims get our attention, but do they deliver?  Do they live up to our expectations or fall flat?  Does the result live up to what was stated?  Every Christian should be bold about the Truth of Scripture, simply because it is true! In a world where there is so much misinformation and false belief, the Believer can live according to and relate to others, God's Word.....and we should do it boldly!

Would you ever deprive yourself of what is best for you?  Probably not, but you might be and not even realizing it.  You make decisions every day and if you're like most people, you do what appears to be obvious.  What's obvious is establish through past experience, present circumstances, and even desired outcomes.  Yet, making decisions this way may be the worst decision you could make. While trying to do it all, you are robbing yourself of the best decision maker and facilitator for your life.

Whenever you're about to make a decision, it is natural to want to consider the options.  You may weight the good with the bad to find out what may be the right course of action to take.  This seems to be a bit of a guessing game.  You probably don't know all the available options, and you don't know what will come of the choices you make.  Admittedly, you won't see all that needs to be seen to make the best decision, but God does.  Maybe it is time to stop doing what seems obvious and following reliable instructions.....from God, Himself.

Whether we like it or not there is going to come a time that we have suffering in our lives.  How we handle and endure those sufferings builds our character.  When our character is strong and grounded, we as believers produce hope.  Our personal lives should always be showing character that produces hope in Christ.

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, you may be a control freak.  It's true!  Yet there is so much you're not able to control, but it doesn't keep you from trying.  From people to situations, you want everyone and everything to be just as you want it.  Many times, we are so focused on controlling what we cannot and neglecting what we can.  You have a certain level of control over your life, so its time to start taking care of what you can and trusting God with what you can't.