FYI -

I've written three articles today - or at least tried.  If you're like me all the nutty stuff going on here and around the word is very distracting to say the least.  Also, if you're like me you've got your own issues and problems that work really hard to distract you from your Christian duties.

Not wanting to buy into all the doom and gloom I decided to just encourage you and the best encouragement is His encouragement.  In my writing today I came across a passage that lifted my heart and moved me to prayer.  It is my simple hope that many of you will consider it and pray about  it.

It's not an easy thing but as Richard Baxter wrote concerning our Christian duties:

"Doing it as you can is the way to be able to do it better."

So with that said, consider:


Philippians 2:1-18 ESV
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, [2] complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

[3] Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. [4] Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

[5] Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, [6] who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, [7] but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men. [8] And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 [12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 

[14] Do all things without grumbling or questioning, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. [17] Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 

[18] Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Yours In Christ,
Michael (Sheepdog) Sanders