Philippians 3:7-11
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
// God is
in the affliction.
Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Micah 7:7
“But as for me, I watch in hope for Yahweh,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me.”
1 Samuel 30:6b
But David found strength in Yahweh his God.
Romans 8:26
…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:34
…Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Jesus Prays for His Followers : John 17
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin.
// God’s love is
.
Isaiah 41:10,13
“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
“I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
And says to you, ‘Do not fear;
I will help you.’”
Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
// God is
your afflictions.
Matthew 10:29-31
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s knowledge. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
The Father Gives Good Gifts : Matthew 7
// God works
things together for our
.
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Hebrews 12:10
…God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Psalm 119:71
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
John 13:7
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
// Afflictions remove
.
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
Colossians 3:2
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
Paul’s Thorn : 2 Corinthians 12:7b-10
// Afflictions can be an
to prayer.
// Don’t
yourself.
Philippians 3:7-11
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
1 Peter 1:3-9 GNT
Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Because of his great mercy he gave us new life by raising Jesus Christ from death. This fills us with a living hope, and so we look forward to possessing the rich blessings that God keeps for his people. He keeps them for you in heaven, where they cannot decay or spoil or fade away. They are for you, who through faith are kept safe by God’s power for the salvation which is ready to be revealed at the end of time.
Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him.
My Next Step With Jesus: