When we lose our song

Finding joy in my purpose!

…my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. (Acts 9:15)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere… (Acts 1:8)

Hopeful–not what I see…unseen

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)

• When stuff gets in the way…look for the unseen

  Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1)

• God is with me…God is good

  …everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. (Philippians 1:12)

• God is using me

  For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. (Philippians 1:13-14)

• Joseph

  You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. (Genesis 50:20)

Joyful and free–not competing and comparing

It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. But others preach about Christ with pure motives. They preach because they love me, for they know I have been appointed to defend the Good News. Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice. (Philippians 1:15-18)

• Not competing and comparing
• Joyful and free

Peace–not fear

For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance. For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. (Philippians 1:19-20)

• No fear about our future

• Peace–double-fisted faith

  …the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t… (Daniel 3:17-18)

The beauty of a joy-filled witness

Hope–birthplace of spiritual sight

Joyful and free–not preoccupied with others

Peace/no fear–double-fisted faith

Reflection Question: To be a more beautiful witness, do I need to focus more on hope, joy and freedom, or peace?