Seeing "Good"

This week at chapter, the devotional was based on Romans 8:37-39. The verses read:

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[a] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


We often feel that everything is "out-of-control" and "too difficult to handle," but we all must remember that we cannot give up. Because we are God's children, none of us have been abandoned in difficult times. There is nothing that can separate us from the love of Christ. Even though it's sometimes hard to believe and understand that this is true, we must be like the Apostle Paul.  Paul was imprisoned in Rome for preaching God's Word, and he often wrote to God's people at Philippi and reassured them that good would come out of it.  Even in jail, Paul saw God's good in his circumstances.


Remember, you are never abandoned! See God's good in all situations!

Unity, Humility, and Joy

<sup>This week we began chapter with a passage from Philippians, chapter 1:3-6. Philippians is one of Apostle Paul's letters. He wrote it to his church in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. He not only thanks the Philippians for their support and partnership, but he encourages them to exhibit unity, humility, and joy in all circumstances.
The passage reads:




3</sup> I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.


As we study Philippians in the coming weeks, we must remember to be "confident" in God's plan for us. As a chapter and a strong sisterhood, let us remain joyful, humble, and united in Christ!


Anyone is always welcome to come to Bible study on Tuesday nights after chapter to discuss and help each other learn the book of Philippians!

Our Different Gifts

Last night at chapter, I shared my favorite Bible passage, Romans chapter 12. I often look to it when I am questioning and wondering about the gifts God has given me and how I am supposed to use them in my daily life.

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. ⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b]do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.


God has given us a purpose and each of us a different gift to fulfill his purpose.  Whether it be encouraging or giving to others, each of us is to use our gifts in this world to show God's light and glorify Him. Don't be discouraged when it seems that others have "more gifts" or "better gifts" than your own. God has a plan for each and every one of us!


So be encouraged by these verses. Remember that we are all given a purpose and a gift, and we must never feel useless. We are here to do God's will and glorify him with everything we have!