March 2, 2021

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,

Circumstances of Life 

"For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

That you may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God."  

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  (Philippians 1:8-12)

Circumstances

I.   Circumstances of the Lord as our example.

       A.  In the life that He lived here on the earth and in His recorded miracles, all things had a purpose or message.

       B.  In His teaching through truth in parables; earthly stories with  Heavenly meanings.

       C.  In His death, shed blood, burial, and glorious resurrection, that we might have hope.

II.   Circumstances of our lives.

       A.  Works for good. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,..." (Romans 8:28)

       B.  Produces perseverance.  "... knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ..."  (Romans 5:3)

       C.  Not a cause of anxiety.  "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:7)

       D.  Test of purity.  "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" (I Peter 1:7)

       E.  To be responding with thanksgiving.  "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  (I Thessalonians 5:18)

       F.  We are to be overcomers.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.  (Philippians 4:13)
    

III. Circumstances are a tool for God's will.

       A. Sometimes it's not where we want to be, but where God wants us.

       B. Reveals our faith in its weakest moments.

       C. Forces our flesh to face itself in its fallen state.  Most of the time it is better to change the attitude than the circumstance.

Pastor Fred Birch,

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."  (Galatians 6:9)