Philippians 2;1b. Day 7, Gift 7

Philippians 2:1a (Part 4)

SCRIPTURE

OBSERVATION

Tonight I’m focusing on

“if any comfort

from His love,

if any common sharing

in the Spirit,

if any tenderness and compassion”.

Philippians 2:1b

I just noticed the order of these words:

encouragement

comfort

common sharing

tenderness

compassion.

It’s almost the steps we go through when we first give our lives to Christ.

Many will encourage us in our new walk.

Then, as we become hurt or possibly confused by trials, we receive comfort.

Then, we learn unity.

Finally, as we mature, tenderness and compassion become definite parts of our very being. 

But first

we are in situations that require

encouragement and comfort.

That spells trials to me.

Then, as we receive encouragement and comfort, we begin to learn the value of unity because other’s united to encourage and comfort us!

Finally, we learn to show tenderness and compassion.

It’s a journey, a walk with Christ. 

APPLICATION

I can only say that I cannot imagine not having

ANY

encouragement

comfort from Jesus’ love,

or unity

in the Spirit,

or tenderness

and compassion.

Readers, today yet another dear friend –

who has survived breast cancer multiple times - told me that during a completed unrelated medical emergency, CT scans revealed a lesion on her kidney. 

As I type these words, I’m thinking, 

“Really, LORD?  Really?  How many friends diagnosed with cancer does this make in the last two months?  Six? Seven?  And two of them are terminal.”

But, then this Scripture popped into my head:

And I realized:

I’m focusing on

how very big the problem is,

and

it is huge.

No doubt about it.

BUT

I need to be focusing

on how very big my God is.

And He’s big.

Really big.

Really Really Big.

So, my dear friends, 

Hold on.

Hold tight.

And just be held.

Just. Be. Held.  

PRAYER

Father God,

You are huge.  

You are powerful.

You are wise.

Please take these big, painful, scary problems and squash them like a bug.

And, Father?  

Please encourage and comfort my friends.

Please bring unity to their families, friends, and doctors that they make work as a team to have the victory!

Please let Your love, tenderness and compassion be the rule in each of their situations.

In Your precious Son’s name I pray.

Amen.

Day 7, Gift 7

So, I’ve been doing a lot of cutting out felt and slow stitching on my grandbabies felt lunch.  It would make for boring pictures, so, I’m going to show you something I made a while ago. 

My husband and I were “shopping” in my gift tote.  Most of us have one.  It’s a tote filled with projects we’ve made throughout the year as gifts. 

My husband chose who would receive this tote. 

And I agreed. 

It’s a perfect choice.

He’s pretty smart, my man is. 

Here’s the post where I wrote about it.  It was a practice block for the $7.50 BOM held in Las Cruces, NM by Bernina Sewing and Design.  I had never made a Drunkard’s Path block before, so I made a practice block 

and then turned it into a tote.

So here you go:  Day 7, Gift 7. 

I’m linking up to

Midweek Makers atQuilt Fabrication Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts!

Oh, I have some exciting news to share in my next post!