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Philippians 3:10 - Adversity and a Deeper Relationship With God.

Philippians 3:10 - Adversity and a Deeper Relationship With God.

Philippians 3:10 (AMP)  [For my determined purpose is] that I 
may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and 
intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and 
understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and 
that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from 
His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so 
share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into 
His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]. 

  What is God's goal in adversity? His basic objective is to 
draw us closer to Himself. He does not glory in pain or sorrow, but 
He uses these things to teach us about His love and faithfulness. 
  The moment adversity comes, our vulnerability increases, and 
we wonder where God is. Pain, disappointment, and trial drive us to 
the Lord and to the cross, where we discover our personal need for a 
Savior, not just for our soul's salvation but for the entire span of 
life. We are struck with a defining thought: I need God. We need His 
fellowship and His presence, or we will collapse. 
  Later, there will be time enough to ask God to show you what 
you can learn from the pain you have suffered. God always has 
something in mind when He allows us to face difficulty. He has a plan, a 
purpose, and a goal, not just for this situation alone, but for your 
entire life. In times of difficulty, God is your immovable strength 
(Prov. 18:10). 
  What are you to do when adversity strikes? The Book of Hebrews 
encourages us by saying, "Do not cast away your confidence, which has great 
reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the 
will of God, you may receive the promise" (Heb. 10:35, 36). 
  When adversity strikes, the first thing we should do is turn 
to God. The second step is to affirm our commitment to Him that we 
will remain focused on Him and not on our circumstances. We see both 
of these portrayed in the lives of the men and women of the Bible. 
  Joseph's life is a study of faith, trust, and victory amid 
adversity. As a young man, he learned how God could take the cruelest act 
and turn it into a wondrous blessing. Sold into Egyptian bondage by 
his brothers, Joseph spent years bound and confined to a life of 
slavery. Even when it appeared that he would gain a reprieve from danger 
and heartache, adversity struck a second time as he was falsely 
accused of a crime. Back to the dungeon he went, only this time with a 
stiffer sentence. 
  We tend to think, "Poor Joseph!" But Joseph was rich in God's 
presence. He understood this principle about adversity and knew that God 
had something wonderful in mind for his life. 
  Adversity was a tool in Joseph's life. God used it to shape 
His servant for service. Joseph landed in a key leadership role that 
ultimately led to the preservation of the nation of Israel. Had he escaped 
from prison and gone into hiding, the entire nation of Israel would 
have missed God's blessing. And without the training that came as a 
result of severe disappointment, Joseph may have become proud and self 
reliant. Instead, God used this young man's life to change the course of 
history. 
  People often ask, "What is the quickest way through seasons of 
adversity?" Many times there just is no quick solution to the trials we 
face. There is one sure way through the difficulties of life, however, 
and that is through obedience and surrender of selfish feelings and 
desires. 
  Adversity has a way of pushing us beyond ourselves where we 
find God waiting to gather us in His arms. It also stirs us to pray 
like nothing else can. And it is in prayer that we find shelter from 
the storms of life. Held under the canopy of God's presence, we 
discover a sense of security and hope that we thought had evaded us. 
  Even when life seems emotionally and spiritually dark, He will 
be your very light. You can be sure that God will use the trials 
you face to shape your life so that you reflect His love and care to 
others. 
  Never forget that God knows the future! He understands the 
advantage of adversity and how it can be used to strengthen your faith, 
refine your hope, and settle your heart into a place of contentment and 
trust. Without times of adversity, you would miss the powerful 
experience of God walking with you through the valley times of life. 
  Therefore, determine to keep the focus of your heart on Jesus. 
Don't let the negative talk of others sway you. Stay close to the Lord 
in devotion and prayer. Read His Word; He will guide you through 
the greatest difficulty, and then you will know what it means to 
live in a broad place of blessing. [Life Principles SB By Charles 
Stanley re Phi. 3:10, 11] 

This earth is the place of preparation for heaven. The time 
spent here is the Christian's winter. Here the chilly winds of 
affliction blow upon us, and the waves of trouble roll against us. But in 
the near future, when Christ comes, sorrow and sighing will be 
forever ended. Then will be the Christian's summer. All trials will be 
over, and there will be no more sickness or death. "God shall wipe 
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, 
neither sorrow, nor crying . . . : for the former things are passed 
away" (MS 28, 1886). 

SPECIAL LINKS ON THIS TOPIC:

IT'S IN THE VALLEYS I GROW
http://www.llerrah.com/dreams.htm

THE SCARS OF LIFE

http://daughtersoflight.wordpress.com/2008/07/22/the-scars-of-life/ 

GOD'S CAKE
http://www.smilegodlovesyou.org/cake.html

NOBODY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE EASY by Dwight Nelson
http://media.pmchurch.org/mp3/Sermon081122.mp3
http://media.pmchurch.org/wmedia/2008-11-22_Primetime-10.wmv