Philippians 2 ~ in The Spirit

The earliest Christian icon of St Paul is found a mere mile from St. Paul's Basilica Outside. The Walls and the roof of St. Tecla catacombs began in the First Century AD.

Yesterday, our Post were the activities of Paul after his truly wonderful education, at the feet of Gamaliel:

Acts 22

4 I persecuted this Way to the death,

binding 

and delivering to prison 

both men and women, 

as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness.

From them I received letters to the brothers, 

and I journeyed toward Damascus 

to take those also who were there 

and 

bring them in bonds 

to Jerusalem

 to be punished.

Blithely, Paul relates his activities in the realm of the Spanish Inquisition and Crusades.  In fact, Paul is so honest he goes further.

Acts 22:20

 

 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him. 20 And when your witness Stephen was murdered, I was right there, holding the coats of the murderers 

and cheering them on.

Why was Paul busy holding the coat/robes during the fervent stoning death of Stephen?  Paul and the organizers didn't trust the truly murderous religious not to steal/tear/borrow the better cloaks of the religious crowd. Perhaps, they merely intended to organize the traffic jam of coat/robes on the way home.

Probably, it was to prevent looting. The passage does not suggest the Romans arrived to issue citations and questioning.

Job 20:5-7 

The triumph of the wicked has been brief 

and the joy of the godless momentary 

Though his arrogance reaches the heavens, 

and his head touches the clouds,

he will perish forever, like his own dung;

 those who had seen him will ask, ‘Where is he?’

What kept Paul in the joy of the Lord as his strength? 

Why wasn't Paul a seed on the ground to be filled with the cares of the world?

Proverbs 30:9

Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying,

 ‘Who is the LORD?’

 Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the Name of my God.

Philippians 4:11-12

 I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. 

I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. In any and every situation I have learned the secret of being filled and being hungry, of having plenty and having need.

What was the Light Paul had seen?

Paul writes of Living Abundantly in the Holy Spirit.

Philippians 2

So if there is any encouragement in Christ,
any comfort from love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any affection and sympathy,

Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted Him 

And bestowed on Him the Name that is above every name,

 so that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.




12 Therefore, my beloved,
as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work 

for His Good Pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation,

Among whom you shine as Lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the Word of Life,

So that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith,
I am glad and rejoice with you all.
18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.


19 I hope in the Lord Jesus 

to send 

Timothy to you soon,
so that I too may be cheered by news of you.
20 For I have no one like him, 

who will be genuinely concerned

 for your welfare.

21 For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 

But you know Timothy's proven worth

How as a son with a father he has served with me in the Gospel. 

23 I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 
and I trust in the Lord

that shortly I myself will come also.

25 I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, 26 for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill.

27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious.

29 So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men

For he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me.

Paul definitely upgraded in the Power of God.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, 

"There is no need for us to defend ourselves before you in this matter."

Abba, Father!

WE PRAY 

BLESSINGS 

Because every time, in Church,

we pray

"Be with us now, and in the hour of our passing"

You, Father,

answer

Prayer!

Thank You, Father.

WE PRAY

for

THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL

To be 

the Voice

of LOVE

Joy, Peace, Patience,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

gentleness

and

SELF CONTROL

And ask You

for appropriate leadership.

Yesterday, worldwide leaders

condemned the erratic and unfaithful Sermon

given by Bishop Budde.

Let's pray

for the departure

of what

 is not

good.

Worldwide leaders said, 

"The Sermon represents a church

not led by Jesus Christ and His Teachings

and Word. 

A broken down

liberal refuge institution seeking only donations."

We pray the Blessing

of Growth

upon the Church

Proclaiming

The Entire Word of God

and the 

Growing Portion

of the Episcopal Church.

Not the portion with 

lack

of His Message

and Love.

God Bless Them.

We Pray

for Leadership

in The National Cathedral

Shining

The Light of Love Peace and Joy

upon

The Teachings of Jesus Christ.

God of Love

God of Encouragement

God of the Bible. 

The safety 

of those

helping the earth 

to heal.

Let evil and practicing evil

depart 

far 

from us

and our children.

With Your Help

We will act justly

 and to love mercy

 and to walk humbly with You, our God.

Gentle rain for California

putting out the fires

speedy insurance

claims

and fast rebuilding

realizing the standard building codes

even of Reagan

were safe.

Peace

Dwell in me,

Dwell in us,

Dwell in those we Love,

Help us to seek You first.

And we will finish well, 

in Jesus Christ. 

Help us seek and find 

and bring,

to become,

 more Heaven

to this earth.

They ALL SAY

THE GRAHAM MINISTRY

SAMARITAN'S PURSE

IS 

DOING INCREDIBLE
SHAKE NORTH CAROLINA
SHAPE NORTH CAROLINA

Love and Mercy and Work.

GIVE TO

 SAMARITAN'S PURSE

Please.

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

And in Jesus - This Hope.

Faith and Love - we will rise up Believing Jesus.

Amen

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yes The Lord Fulfills His Purpose

Thank You Jesus The Lord