Paul's Afflictions

Paul's afflictions:  He endures with praise, joy and trust in the Lord!

In Colossians:
"... we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding." 
"We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me."
"...I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.  My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

In Philippians:
"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly."
"...I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain..."


I  have to question myself when I read Paul's heart as he endures persecution.  I truly pray that I will never have to face such terrible things.  Yet, I know that if Paul hadn't gone through what he did, his reliance on God, faith in God's promises, and love for God would not have been nearly as wonderful!  As Philippians 4 promises, God will give me the strength to endure whatever comes my way if I am living in the Him and doing his will.  Rather than concentrating so hard on hoping for no life threatening situations in my life, I need to concentrate on living this short life COMPLETELY for the LORD!  Whatever trials come my way, God's grace and love is sufficient.  To die is gain if it is for the Lord.  He gives and he takes away.  This life of mine is only existing so that I may spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  Oh, how I have been failing in this!


Lord, give me courage to be bold for you!  Set my heart on FIRE!  Keep the Devil far from me, that I would  trust in your promises and leave no room for his lies.  Father, you know my heart and where I fail.  Strengthen me, I pray!  You are the Almighty!  Nothing can thwart your plan.  You knit me together in my mother's womb.  You discern my going out and my lying down.  Before I speak a single word, you know it completely!  All the days ordained for me were written in your book before even one of them came to be.  Search me, O God, and know my heart.  Test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  You are the most important thing in my life.  I am sorry for where I have not proven this to be true.


(Reference Psalm 139)