GraceinChrist

It is one of the great causes of concern / stress when circumstances in life are changed out with our control! 

When circumstances are changed out with our control – people often react by attempting to return the circumstances back to a familiar norm, they often fail, increasing still further their anxiety. 

With that in mind an American Bible teacher many years ago phrased the serenity prayer: 

               ‘God give me the courage to change the things I can change 

               The serenity to accept…

Joy as a Pattern – Perspective on Suffering (v1) 
Joy as a Passion – Path to Worship (v3) 
Joy as a Purpose (v8 to 10) – Pursuit of God and knowing God 

I am reminded of the experience of Mary Magdalene (John 20) overcome by: 

Grief 
Sorrow 
Tears 

Staring into the tomb (John 20:11ff) 

From the experience of grief and sorrow there emerges an encounter with Jesus Christ! 

The most encouraging and exhalative experience of Christ; Grief that gives way to a vision of Glory. 

The same is true of the 2 on the…

“for me to live is Christ to die is gain” (1:21) 

We saw how for those who were: 

led by the spirit and 
obedient to the Spirit 

That 1:21 is a great assurance and comfort that when lead and guided by the spirit of God we can look at our current circumstances with the assurance that he ‘leads is in the paths of righteousness for his name sake.’ 

Therefore the path no matter how difficult it is, it is for: 

For his glory 
For our good 
For others blessings 

So it was for: 

David in the Valley of Elah 
Daniel in…