Our rejoicing is in the LORD, not in ourselves.

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 

Php 4:5  Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 

Php 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Php 4:9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

We are studying excerpts on 'emotion' in Watchman Nee's book- The Spiritual Man and truly he gives us a lot to consider.

Searching the scriptures- once again we are brought back to these verses that have been laid upon my heart for the last few months.

We are to rejoice IN THE LORD always.  We aren't told to rejoice in our life's circumstances be they wonderful or wretched, we aren't told to rejoice in ourselves at all! Our rejoicing must be outside of our self and focused on the LORD. Always we can rejoice in the LORD for all He's accomplished and continues to accomplish in us and our lives. If our circumstances are so horrific we can't rejoice in anything about them at all, we can still CHOOSE to rejoice in the victory that is CHRIST'S.  I know, easy for me to say, but truly it isn't easy to say. I know firsthand the temptation to give in to despair as things all around me seem to crumble apart. I can't even say I haven't given  into that despair at all, I'd be lying. I can only PRAISE and THANK God that the despair didn't lead me away from Him and all there is to rejoice in Him.  We are to rejoice IN THE LORD, we can't forget that, not ever! Our rejoicing as our heart longs to break in a million pieces for the tragedies in our lives, must be a rejoicing in the LORD.

Truly we are NOT to worry. We need to NOT worry, but to trust in the LORD. It is SO easy to get caught up in the CARES OF THIS LIFE!

Luk_21:34  And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Luk 8:14  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. 

Luk 10:41  And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 

Luk 10:42  But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. 

Mar 4:19  And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. 

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 

1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

1Pe 5:9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 

1Pe 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 

1Pe 5:11  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

As we read the following excerpt let's keep all the above verses in mind. All by the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen!

'Two reasons can be offered why many walk according to their emotion. First, since they do not understand what walking according to the spirit is nor have ever sought to so walk, they will naturally walk according to the movement of emotion. Because they have never learned how to deny the agitation of their emotion, they are simply swept along by it and do those deeds which they ought not do. Their spiritual sense verily raises its objection, but these individuals so lack spiritual power that they completely disregard its objection and heed their feeling instead. The latter beats stronger and stronger in them until they are completely carried away. They do what they should not; and after having done it they repent for having so done. Second, even those who have experienced the dividing of spirit and soul and who recognize the stirrings of emotion as being soulish and instantly resist can nonetheless walk after emotion. This is due to the success of “spiritual” counterfeit. Before anyone becomes spiritual he is overwhelmed by his powerful emotional feelings; but after he becomes spiritual his emotion often pretends to be his spiritual sense. Outwardly these two are difficult to differentiate, because they appear to be nearly identical. For lack of knowledge, the saints can be deceived. And as a consequence they exhibit many carnal actions. We should remember that in walking after the spirit all our actions must be governed by principles, since the spirit has its own laws and principles. To walk by the spirit is to walk according to its laws. With spiritual principles everything becomes sharply defined. There is a precise standard of right and wrong. If it is “yes” it is “yes” whether the day is clear or cloudy; if it is “no” then it is “no” whether exciting or depressive. The Christian’s walk should follow a distinct standard. But if his emotion is not handed over to death, he cannot abide a permanent standard. He will live by the whim of his vacillating feelings and not according to a definite principle. A principled life differs enormously from an emotional life. Anyone who acts from emotion cares neither for principle nor for reason but only for his feeling. Should he be happy or thrilled he may be tempted to undertake what he ordinarily knows is unreasonable. But when he feels cold, melancholy or despondent he will not so much as fulfill his duty, for his feeling fails to go along. If God’s children would pay a little attention to their emotion, they would note how changeable it actually can be and how dangerous it therefore is to walk by it. So often their attitude is: if the Word of God (spiritual principle) agrees with their feeling, they observe it; if the Word does not, they simply reject it. What an enemy emotion can be to spiritual life!

All who desire to be spiritual must conduct themselves daily according to principle. One quality which characterizes a spiritual person is the great calm he maintains under every circumstance. Whatever may happen around him or however much he may be provoked, he accepts it all calmly and exhibits an unmovable nature. He is one who is able to regulate his every feeling, because his emotion has been yielded to the cross and his will and spirit are permeated with the power of the Holy Spirit. No extreme provocation has the strength to unsettle him. But if one has not accepted the dealing of the cross upon his emotion, then he will be easily influenced, stimulated, disturbed, and even governed by the external world. He will undergo constant change, for emotion shifts often. The slightest threat from outside or the smallest increase in work shall upset him and render him helpless. Whoever genuinely desires to be perfect must let the cross cut deeper into his emotion. If the Christian would simply bear in mind that God does not lead anyone who is in turmoil, he might be spared many errors. Never decide on anything or start to do anything while emotion is agitating like a roaring sea; it is in times of great emotional upheaval that mistakes are readily made. Our mind too becomes undependable in such periods because it is easily affected by feeling. And with a powerless mind, how can we ever distinguish right from wrong? Again, during that time even our conscience is rendered unreliable. As emotion pulsates, the mind becomes deceived and conscience is denied its standard of judgment. Whatever is decided and performed in such circumstances is bound to be improper and will be something to be regretted afterwards. A believer should exercise his will to resist and to terminate such fomented feeling; solely when his emotion is no longer boiling but returns to perfect calm can he decide what he should do. '

Some emotions of our Savior.

The Emotions of Jesus -

Mar 1:41  And Jesus, moved with COMPASSION, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 

Jesus- MOVED with compassion.   (Compassion Definition- sympathy for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help)  (Sympathy Definition- the ability to enter into, understand, or share somebody else's feelings)

Luk 7:13  And when the Lord saw her, he had COMPASSION on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 

Mat 20:34  So Jesus had COMPASSION on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. 

Mat 9:36  But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with COMPASSION on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. 

Mar 1:41  And Jesus, moved with COMPASSION, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. 

Mat 14:14  And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with COMPASSION toward them, and he healed their sick. 

Mar 3:5  And when he had looked round about on them with ANGER, being GRIEVED for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. 

Anger (Definition - a strong feeling of grievance and displeasure)

Mar 10:14  But when Jesus saw it, he was much DISPLEASED, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 

Joh 11:33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was TROUBLED

Joh 13:21  When Jesus had thus said, he was TROUBLED in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. 

Mat 26:38  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding SORROWFUL, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. 

Emotions have their rightful place, without them we couldn't claim such a things as happiness, pleasure, joy, etc. 

Without emotion does the following verse make sense?

Rev_21:4  And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

What about these verses?

Rev 19:6  And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Jud_1:24  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy

Emotions are not something that will ever be done away with, not ever.

I don't know if any of you have ever watched the tv show Star Trek, but on this show there is portrayed an alien race called- Vulcans. These Vulcans are a people that have learned to CONTROL their emotions. Throughout the various movies and shows in this Star Trek franchise there has come up time and again people who mistake the Vulcans control of emotion for having no emotions, and time and again people are reminded that they do have them, they've just learned to control them because their distant ancestors were so violent they almost destroyed themselves. The reason I bring this up is because we are not to rid ourselves of emotions, the Bible doesn't tell us to never feel joy again. Jesus does not tell us to get rid of all our anger, but rather to have it controlled.

Eph_4:26  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath

Mat_5:22  But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…

Yes, we are to put away anger and malice and such and all that would harm others or us, but we aren't to deny we have emotions.

The Vulcans on the show do come across as cold and emotionless, but that isn't what our Savior would have us be. Yes, we need to have control over our emotions having them all in moderation, and in subjection to the will of God. But we are not to do away with our emotions.  Let's read what Watchman Nee says about the 'Function of Emotion.'

'The Function of Emotion

Our emotion emits joy, happiness, cheerfulness , excitement, elation, stimulation, despondency, sorrow, grief, melancholy, misery, moaning, dejection, confusion, anxiety, zeal, coldness, affection, aspiration, covetousness, compassion, kindness, preference, interest, expectation, pride, fear, remorse, hate, et al. The mind is the organ of our thinking and reasoning and the will, of our choices and decisions. Aside from our thought and intent and their related works, all other operations issue from emotion.

Our thousand and one diverse feelings manifest its function. Feeling comprises such a vast area of our existence that most carnal Christians belong to the emotional type. Man’s sensational life is most comprehensive, hence highly complicated; to help believers understand it, we can gather all its various expressions into the three groups of

(1) affection,

(2) desire, and

(3) feeling.

These groups cover the three aspects of the function of emotion. Should a saint overcome all three, he is well on the way to entering upon a pure spiritual path. To be sure, man’s emotion is nothing but the manifold feelings he naturally has. He may be loving or hateful, joyful or sorrowful, excited or dejected, interested or uninterested, yet all are but the ways he feels. Should we take the trouble to observe ourselves we will easily perceive how changeful are our feelings.

 Few matters in the world are as changeable as emotion.

We can be one way one minute and feel quite opposite the next.

Emotion changes as feeling changes, and how rapidly the latter can change. He therefore who lives by emotion lives without principle.

The emotion of man often displays a reactionary motion: a time of activity in one direction will sometimes produce an opposite reaction. For example, unspeakable sorrow usually follows upon hilarious joy, great depression after high excitement, deep withdrawal after burning fervor. Even  in the matter of love, it may commence as such but due to some emotional alteration it may end up with a hatred whose intensity far exceeds the earlier love'

More tomorrow by the grace and will of our Lord, Jesus Christ!  Amen.

Emotional Impulses

Emotions.  Have you ever heard of something called- EQ?   I hadn't until last year or so.  The following is one definition for EQ-

EQ reflects a person's ability to empathize with others: identify, evaluate, control and express emotions ones own emotions; perceive, and assess others' emotions; use emotions to facilitate thinking, understand emotional meanings.

From <https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=eq&*>

We truly are caught up in emotions. Not only our own but others. We set supposed standards that make some people have a Good or High EQ and others to have a Poor or Low EQ.  We say those who can empathize with others and their emotions, and comprehend their own emotions as well are people with a good/high EQ and those who can't empathize with others or recognize their own emotions have bad/low EQ. We stress emotions in so much and hold them up as good things because we CAN'T HELP but have them. We think those who AREN'T ruled by their emotions are lacking somehow, and maybe they are, or maybe it's us who are lacking the ability to control our emotions.  If we let our emotions RULE us isn't it just as bad as having no comprehension of the emotions in others and having very little of our own? 

I think this part of Watchman Nee's book does need thorough study- based on GOD'S WORD.

If we are ruled by our soul and not our spirit- we are most likely ruled by our emotions. NOT everyone, this isn't an absolute but it is easy to comprehend  that our emotions being in control of us is a very bad thing. 

The 'IMPULSES OF EMOTION', surely just that statement says so much.  A person- a complete stranger gives us a dirty, mean look for no reason we can comprehend and instantly we are filled with EMOTIONS.  What emotions? Do we get upset because we don't deserve such treatment? Do we get sad, depressed? Or does it simply not affect us at all? Do we NOT feel any emotions?

I could relate many scenarios about our possible emotional responses to situations, but I won't. I don't know you, and you most likely don't know me. I can tell you though -my emotions rule me way more than they should. Maybe I need this study more than you, if that's true then please skip this.  I need to comprehend more, I need the Holy Spirit guiding me, I need my spirit rued by the Holy Spirit not by my soulish self.

More tomorrow- by the GRACE and MERCY of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

*******

'The Believer and Emotion

Although a Christian may have experienced deliverance from sin, he shall continue to be soulish— that is, powerless to overcome his natural life—if he fails to experience additionally the deep work of the cross wrought by the Holy Spirit.

(Rom_6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? )

A limited description of the life and work of soulish Christians has been given earlier. Careful study of the soulish reveals that the conduct and action of such ones stem principally from their emotion.

While the soul possesses three primary functions most soulish or carnal Christians belong to the emotional category. Their whole life appears to revolve largely around the impulses of emotion.

In human affairs it seems to occupy a greater area than mind and will: it apparently plays a bigger role in daily life than do the other parts of the soul. Hence nearly all the practices of the soulish originate with emotion.

Excerpt - The Spiritual Man - by Watchman Nee

Emotion

Before we delve further into the book-  'The Spiritual Man' and what Watchman Nee has to say about emotions and the believers and the function of emotions read this-

Heb_4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

We need to remember that our Savior had FEELINGS like we have FEELINGS. Our Savior experienced EMOTIONS like we experience EMOTIONS. Our Savior was never consumed by his emotions, his feelings, he never let them rule over him.  Truly if we read the following about emotion and disagree I can't comprehend why. 

Go ahead and read the excerpt and by the grace of God we will study it tomorrow. All through the love of our Savior, our Lord, Jesus Christ now and forever!

*******

'The Believer and Emotion

Although A Christian may have experienced deliverance from sin, he shall continue to be soulish— that is, powerless to overcome his natural life—if he fails to experience additionally the deep work of the cross wrought by the Holy Spirit.

A limited description of the life and work of soulish Christians has been given earlier. Careful study of the soulish reveals that the conduct and action of such ones stem principally from their emotion.

While the soul possesses three primary functions most soulish or carnal Christians belong to the emotional category. Their whole life appears to revolve largely around the impulses of emotion.

In human affairs it seems to occupy a greater area than mind and will: it apparently plays a bigger role in daily life than do the other parts of the soul. Hence nearly all the practices of the soulish originate with emotion.

The Function of Emotion

Our emotion emits joy, happiness, cheerfulness , excitement, elation, stimulation, despondency, sorrow, grief, melancholy, misery, moaning, dejection, confusion, anxiety, zeal, coldness, affection, aspiration, covetousness, compassion, kindness, preference, interest, expectation, pride, fear, remorse, hate, et al. The mind is the organ of our thinking and reasoning and the will, of our choices and decisions. Aside from our thought and intent and their related works, all other operations issue from emotion.

Our thousand and one diverse feelings manifest its function. Feeling comprises such a vast area of our existence that most carnal Christians belong to the emotional type. Man’s sensational life is most comprehensive, hence highly complicated; to help believers understand it, we can gather all its various expressions into the three groups of (1) affection, (2) desire, and (3) feeling.

These groups cover the three aspects of the function of emotion. Should a saint overcome all three, he is well on the way to entering upon a pure spiritual path. To be sure, man’s emotion is nothing but the manifold feelings he naturally has. He may be loving or hateful, joyful or sorrowful, excited or dejected, interested or uninterested, yet all are but the ways he feels. Should we take the trouble to observe ourselves we will easily perceive how changeful are our feelings.

 Few matters in the world are as changeable as emotion.

We can be one way one minute and feel quite opposite the next.

Emotion changes as feeling changes, and how rapidly the latter can change. He therefore who lives by emotion lives without principle. The emotion of man often displays a reactionary motion: a time of activity in one direction will sometimes produce an opposite reaction. For example, unspeakable sorrow usually follows upon hilarious joy, great depression after high excitement, deep withdrawal after burning fervor. Even  in the matter of love, it may commence as such but due to some emotional alteration it may end up with a hatred whose intensity far exceeds the earlier love'

Excerpt - The Spiritual Man - by Watchman Nee

Distracted Hearts

Mat_6:21  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Mat_19:21  Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Where is your treasure? I've asked this before in other studies, but it bears asking again- constantly. Most people know their net worth- they know how much money they have, how much property they possess, what their assets are and they can tell you all about it. People generally know the things they possess and could list them. Here in the United States we are required to file income tax and that right there allows us yearly to know what we are worth in monetary terms.  If we know what treasures we possess here on earth, we know whether or not we've committed them all to heaven for God's use, or if we've selfishly left God out of that part of our life altogether choosing to keep our financial business and religious business separate.  If we keep them separate though- doesn't that mean our financial treasures/assets are all kept here on earth and not in heaven? We aren't to lay treasures up here on earth but we do so all the time, forgetting they can be stripped from us at any moment. 

Are we truly laying our treasures up in heaven?

*Excerpt-

'In both his walk and work, heavenly attraction should always be greater than earthly gravitation.

The child of God should learn to live for the Lord’s service, but even more so for the Lord’s receiving him.

 May our spirit be uplifted daily, looking for the return of the Lord. May the things of this world so lose their power over us that we do not in the slightest wish to be “worldly”; nay, we even delight in not remaining “in the world.”

May our spirit daily ascend… May we so seek the things above that not even the best work on earth can distract our hearts. May we henceforth pray in spirit and with understanding, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22.20) '  The Spiritual Man- By Watchman Nee

Things Above.

Special prayer.

Jesus had a special prayer- remember the following?

Luk 22:44  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 

Heb 5:8  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

*

 'Such prayer usually leads us to seek “the things that are above” (Col. 3.2), and this is one of the requisites for preservation.' The Spiritual Man- by Watchman Nee

Col 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 

During His special prayer Jesus' mind was on the most heavenly of things- His own death and the salvation it would bring to all humans.  When we pray to our Heavenly Father instantly our mind is on the truth of our Heavenly Father's existence.  The EXISTENCE of heaven, the EXISTENCE of our place in heaven.

If our AFFECTIONS are on things in heaven, we cannot lose our heavenly treasures.  If our AFFECTIONS are on earth we risk losing them.   Does this mean we cannot love others? No, not at all. We are supposed to love without end, love unconditionally, love deeply as our Savior loves. His heart breaks for those lost to Him-  He said this-

Luk_23:34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

Mat 23:37  O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 

We will love others, and our affection for them will be fierce but if we believe in our Savior and salvation then we know that the salvation of others is the most important of all the loving we could do.  Our affection for others must be based on their salvation through Jesus Christ.  Our affection for others must be one of the things that are above. Ultimately we long for our loved ones to know salvation as we know salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord and one day we will all be in our heavenly home.

More on this tomorrow by the grace, by the mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!

Amen!

We Can't Understand.

'Nonetheless, under guidance of this kind the believer learns that the purpose of God for him is an alteration in his course. Previously everything was going forward; henceforth it is to ascend. It does not signify there is no more work; what it does mean is that that work can be concluded at any time. God continually has employed such circumstances as persecution, opposition, plunder, etc., to cause saints to comprehend that He wishes them to have the spirit of rapture rather than to make progress in the work on earth. '  Excerpt - The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee

Php 3:2  BEWARE of dogs, BEWARE of evil workers, BEWARE of the concision. 

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have NO CONFIDENCE in the flesh. 

Php 3:4  Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 

Php 3:5  Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 

Php 3:6  Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 

Php 3:7  But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 

Paul tells us plainly that having confidence in the things of the flesh is NOT gain for Christ. He gladly would count ALL the flesh attributes people would have him believe were important a LOSS. Give all prideful flesh things up knowing those things are NOT things of Christ. Paul had EVERYTHING a man could ever want! He was a pillar in his community! And yet in the eyes of Christ all that had to be given up. Paul had to be stripped of the prideful things of the flesh all of them.

Php 3:8  Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 

Php 3:9  And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: 

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Php 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 

Php 3:14  I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

Php 3:15  Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 

Php 3:16  Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 

Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. 

Php 3:18  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 

Php 3:19  Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 

Enemies of the cross of Christ-

Those whose God is their BELLY.

Those whose glory is in their SHAME.

Those who MIND EARTHLY THINGS.

Php 3:20  For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 

Php 3:21  Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

Is your conversation in HEAVEN?

Is your conversation where you look for YOUR SAVIOR- the LORD JESUS CHRIST?

It is all well and good for us to labor here on earth in the way we believe God has planned for us, having faith that as we live our lives we are doing God's will, but when things change drastically for us and not always in a very good way- perhaps we are being nudged down a different path. Perhaps it is a preparation for the future. Maybe we've been tossed into a burning vat of molten lava to refine our otherwise un-refine-able attributes. The pain so intense we barely imagine being able to survive it, our sanity rocked so much we live in fear of it slipping away completely, these things are refining fires of the fiercest magnitude. And we are allowed to endure so much in order to get us to look upwards away from ourselves and towards Jesus Christ our Lord, our SAVIOR.  We are being transformed here and now, and transformation isn't always easy.

 Pro_3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

We simply cannot understand.

We hate that, but we cannot understand.

Admitting that we can't understand has us admitting to the truth of living by FAITH.

Rom_1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

May we live through faith by the grace and mercy of our LORD and SAVIOR, now and FOREVER!

Amen.