December 6, 2015:  SOAP #2194:

Scripture:  Philippians (NIV) 1:12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

Observation:   Paul takes the same attitude Joseph had when he revealed himself to his brothers in Egypt. (Genesis 45:8)   Paul, traveling with Silas, had been beaten and placed in stocks in the inner jail when they first came to Philippi.  Now Paul was in prison again. We who live at the end of the 20th century can truly appreciate how that Paul’s prison time served to advance the gospel.  It seems that he only had time to write letters while in prison.  It is those prison letters that we enjoy today as part of the New Testament.

Application:   Two things I can learn from Joseph and Paul.  First:  The difficult times I go through may later prove to be the most profitable times.  Second:  I must be careful that my attitude does not become bitter.  Bitterness could have hindered Joseph from being open to God’s revelation of dreams.  Bitterness could have hindered the Holy Spirit from using Paul to write the letters we enjoy today.

Prayer:   Holy Spirit, watch over my attitude in good times and bad.  Forgive me for times I have let my attitude hinder my usefulness to you.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!