Philippians 3-4 and Colossians 1, July 8th

Hello hello hellooooooooooooooooooo


So chapter 3 of this book is Paul telling the Philippians people that it's okay that they are not perfect. No one is perfect and we don't need to be because Christ was perfect. They need to imitate Paul and more so Jesus to spread his gospel among the people. He tells them to keep their eyes on the goal and await their citizenship in heaven because there, God will make 'our lowly body to be like his glorious body'.
The main point to get out of this chapter is that we cannot and will not be perfect. Ever. So stop trying. Instead, focus of the perfect life Jesus lived and strive to be like him every single day.

Phew okay, now that the pressure of being perfect is off, let's go on to the last chapter of this book...
In chapter 4 we've got some really awesome and really well-known verses. I'm going to start off with my favorite- one that I find myself praying out of habit (thank you Missionettes.) The verse is Philippians 4:6-9.
So we hear this verse all the time (at least I do, my mom repeats it to me every time I worry), but what does it really mean to us as believers? What should we take from it? It means that worrying is a sign of doubt in God's wisdom and plan. We need to trust him and stay connected with him so that we know what we are doing is all a part of his plan. And if we ever do get worried, we are supposed to give those fears right to the Lord, because his power and grace and goodness will overcome it. There is no reason to fear when we have such an amazing, loving God. God's peace 'passes all understanding', we can't even begin to comprehend it, but we can dwell in it, and feel it, and know that we belong in it.
And doesn't that make you feel awesome?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WOOOOO!
The next part of that verse tells us what to dwell on- anything that is true, noble right, pure, lovely, etc. You know why Paul tells us to dwell on these things? Because they are GODLY and they will not cause ANXIETY. Thank you, Paul. Thank you.

The first chapter of Colossians is basically Paul telling the Colossians that he has been praying for them and for their faith to grow and not be wavered. Then he talks about Christ and who he was and is; how he is the beginning and the end, the head of the body, he is the firstborn of creation, etc. Paul then does something that seems to be somewhat contradictory. He says that he rejoyces in his suffering. I know that's a very small part of the chapter, but I don't think we realize how much strength it really takes to say that. I rejoice in my suffering. I don't know about you guys, but I sure as heck don't rejoice in my suffering. I'm such a whiner. And that's something that I will admit I need to work on (my mom agrees). But he's glad that he can share the gospel through his sufferings, and that's why he rejoices. It takes a very strong person to do that.
So how strong are you? Can you rejoice in your sufferings if it means you have a chance to share the good news?