Finding Joy in the Struggle, P2 | Philippians 3:17-4:1

It’s stunning that the greedy person is on the same list as the homosexual; that the gossiper is on the same list as the hater of God; that the habitual drunk is on the same list as the murderer. This entire list is like the McDonald’s menu. Mix and match any items you want – and it all ends up costing the same price. So, here’s the question: If everyone is on the list; if everyone can be found somewhere on this list, and the result is the same, then what different does it make – aren’t we all doomed? Find out in part 2 of finding joy in the struggle.

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Wrestle Mania | Genesis 32:24-32

When the chickens come home to roost, being optimistic is almost impossible. How often Jacob had thought of the very moment that now came upon him. Would he survive? Would he have a future? He wanted to be flush with hope, but the regrets had piled so high they seemed to hide even the possibility of hope. Yet, God used this precise event to produce usefulness in Jacob. It is at the Jabbok River that he left behind the immaturity of the past and, at last, took a huge step toward spiritual adulthood. Your Jabbok may be just ahead.

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Finding Joy in Curly’s Law | Philippians 3:8-11

In the 1991 movie, City Slickers, Curly, played by Jack Palance, said: There is only one thing in life that really matters. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else means nothing. Mitch, played by Billy Crystal, asked: What is that one thing? We waited with bated breath and eager anticipation for the answer. Who doesn’t want to know the one thing in life that really matters? Curly answered: That’s what you’ve got to figure out. Paul figured it out! Paul discovered the one thing in life that really mattered – and you can too!

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Preparing for Take-Off, Part 2 | Genesis 31:1-55

When we work for God, His purpose is going to be accomplished. This makes it essential to continue following Him in perfect obedience no matter what. God did not spell out every detail to Jacob, nor does He spell out every detail to us. God requires that we, too, walk by faith. That means believing without always knowing.

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Finding Joy in Genuine Worship | Philippians 3:3

From the beginning of our lives, we are indoctrinated with the philosophy that achievement is the key to reward, honor and happiness. This is true academically, athletically and behaviorally. This is also true in the business world, the entertainment industry as well as the halls of government. If this is true in the physical/material world, then it makes sense that it would be true in the spiritual/immaterial world. That’s what the believers at Philippi thought. What do you think?

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