Strength In Struggle

Philippians 1:27–30 NIV

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Phil 1:27-30

Intro/Hook

PP- Pic of Salmon swimming upstream

One of the greatest examples of life that pushes through struggles by using inner strength is Salmon Run. This is where Salmon swim against currents upstream to go back to their birth place in order to reproduce. They face many contest and dangers in order to keep the salmon life cycle going.

Video: Let’s look at a clip. Talk through the clip about salmon making the journey. The have an inner drive to fulfill their assignment. Only about two percent of all salmon hatched will live to adulthood.

Much of our life is swimming upstream. You have to know that there is a purpose behind the press. Swimming upstream is when you must press through seemingly insurmountable odds and have to face life’s lions and bears. Relationship struggles, health challenges, battling self-esteem, fighting for respect, facing the odds. You were born for this! Unfortunately, some don’t make it. But, many do! Just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

Just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

You are on a journey and many of the paths are upstream. Swimming upstream is when you must press through seemingly insurmountable odds and have to face life’s lions and bears. Relationship struggles, health challenges, battling self-esteem, fighting for respect, facing the odds. Some don’t make it, but ultimately many do! But just like the salmon, you have the instinct and power through Christ Jesus to make the journey.

I’m here to declare this morning that you have Strength in Struggle! Someone make a personal declaration, say, “I have strength in my struggle”.

PP-I’m beginning a new teaching series entitled, “Strength In Struggle”

I want to read a passage of scripture Paul wrote to the Philippian church, while he himself was in a herculean struggle.

PP- (NIV)

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose (antikeimai - hostile, an adversary) you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Paul gives us some instructions as to how to act or respond when you’re going through a struggle, a contest in life. Your response can activating strength for that struggle.

Paul gives us some instructions as to how to act or respond when you’re going through a struggle, a contest in life. Your response is tied to activating strength for that struggle.

PP- Today’s Topic within this series is, “How To Act”

PP- Today’s Topic is “Instructions From Paul”

Ask the person near you, “when the struggle is real, when the battle is hotly contested, when things are falling apart, do you know how to act?

Most of us know what to do, but don’t know how to act!

Paul wrote this book Philippians while living in a rented apartment in the city of Rome. He wasn’t there as a tourist. He wasn’t there on a business trip, he was there under house arrest awaiting his chance to voice his innocence, and clear his name before Caesar.

27 Only be sure as citizens so to conduct yourselves [that] your manner of life [will be] worthy of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ, so that whether I [do] come and see you or am absent, I may hear this of you: that you are standing firm in united spirit and purpose, striving side by side and contending with a single mind for the faith of the glad tidings (the Gospel).

28 And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

It all started months ago when Paul travelled to Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals. He was going to give the Jewish leaders an offering he had raised from the non-Jew churches in Asia while he preached the gospel. Paul was having tremendous success converting many non-Jews to Christianity. Success awakens “haters”, people who try to throw “shade”. These people were jealous of Paul began to start trouble for him. But, they not only wanted to discredit him, but also to send him to the executioner.

29 For you have been granted [the privilege] for Christ’s sake not only to believe in (adhere to, rely on, and trust in) Him, but also to suffer in His behalf.

30 So you are engaged in the same conflict which you saw me [wage] and which you now hear to be mine [still].

New Testament Background Commentary: A New Dictionary of Words, Phrases and Situations in Bible Order Place and Time of Writing

Paul wrote Philippians during his first imprisonment at Rome (ca. AD 60/61–64), when he lived in semi-confinement in his own rented house for two years, and it was from there he would more naturally have been expected to be released.

Paul wrote this book Philippians while living in an apartment house in the city of Rome. He wasn’t there as a tourist. He wasn’t there on a business trip, he was there under house arrest awaiting his chance to voice his innocence, and clear his name before Caesar. It started when Paul went to Jerusalem for one of the religious festivals. He was going to give the Jewish leaders an offering he had raised from the non-Jew churches in Asia while he preached the gospel. While there, some people who were jealous of Paul began to start trouble for him. They not only wanted to discredit him, but send him to the executioner.

This is what they said in Acts 21:28-30...

PP- (NIV)

28 shouting, “Fellow Israelites, help us! This is the man who teaches everyone everywhere against our people and our law and this place. And besides, he has brought Greeks into the temple and defiled this holy place.”

29 (They had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with Paul and assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.)

30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut.

After this the Jews and their leadership decided they wanted him killed for desecrating their temple and speaking against their traditions, these charges were untrue. The Jewish leaders decided that Paul should get the death sentence!

Paul had to appeal to Caesar or he would have been executed. While in Rome awaiting trial, in a rented apartment under house arrest, Paul writes Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Out of all of these letters, the one to the Philippians seemed to be the most intimate.

When reading Philippians you cannot forget that he was under extreme stress! He was struggling to keep his dignity, reputation, and life!

I want you to feel the struggle of the stress he was enduring in :

PP- (NIV)

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

This scripture informs us that he was facing the threat of execution.

Out of his struggle for his life came instructions to the saints in Philippi on how to deal with their struggle for maintaining their Christian position even in the face of persecution, trials, and tribulations!

Philippians, like the other prison letters was written under pressure, stress,. He was struggling to stay alive! Reading this book through the lens of incarceration changes the way you read it.

Out of his struggle for his life came instructions to the saints in Philippi on how to deal with their struggles!

It is important to understand that the struggles you have, is essentially not about only destroying you. It is more about, discrediting the Faith of the gospel! When the enemy attacks you, the target is your faith! To dislodge you from your faith makes you powerless! Your strength is in your faith in God!

PP-Philippians 1:27 (NIV) — 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

PP-Every contest, struggle, fight you have, is really aimed at dismantling your faith! (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)

The night Jesus was to be arrested, he looked Peter in the face and said,

Luke 22:31–32 NIV

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

When Jesus was at the Garden of Gethsamane, That is what he told

Luke 22:“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”

PP- (NIV) — 31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you (plural) as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you (singular pronoun), Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

The struggle is not solely to take you down, it’s more about your faith! Jesus made some powerful statements about a faith filled person.

(NIV) — 20 He replied, “...Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

(NIV) — 6 He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.

Three Essentials for Victory in the Struggle to protect the faith

Philippians is believed to be the apple of Paul’s eye by some theologians, and at the very least one of Paul’s favorite churches he helped to birth!

You know how it is when you have something that your favorite. We like to pretended that all things are equal, and that all people you know are your best friend, but let’s be real, authentic, we have favorites!

We treat our favorite things and people differently. Jesus had Peter, James, and John.

Grandparents don’t like to admit it, but sometimes they do have a few of the grandkids they are close to. Especially he ones who come over all the time. THe ones who they had to pick up off the ground when knees were scraped. The grandchild that had a serious surgery that required that someone had to look after them for 30 days and grandma was there feeding them soup and crackers. The grandchild that needed extra care when they had a stomach ache.

It’s no surprise that the grandparent would have a special affection toward the child that needed them. It’s not that they don’t love the other grand kids that live 800 miles away and only get to see them maybe once a year. But the ones that grandma had to bathe, feed, pick up from school because they got sick, have a uniquely favorite place within the heart of the that grandparent that is not announced to everybody! Its a secret within the heart.

Three Essentials for Victory in the Struggle to protect the faith

Every contest, struggle, fight you have, is really aimed at dismantling your faith!

Three Essentials for Victory in the Struggle to protect the faith

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Battle Stations! (Philippians 1:27–30)

How can a group of Christians fight this enemy? “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:4, NASB). Peter took up a sword in the Garden, and Jesus rebuked him (John 18:10–11). We use spiritual weapons—the Word of God and prayer (Eph. 6:11–18; Heb. 4:12); and we must depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the power that we need. But an army must fight together, and this is why Paul sends these admonitions to his friends at Philippi. He is explaining in this paragraph that there are three essentials for victory in the battle to protect “the faith.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Battle Stations! (Philippians 1:27–30)

How can a group of Christians fight this enemy? “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (2 Cor. 10:4, NASB). Peter took up a sword in the Garden, and Jesus rebuked him (John 18:10–11). We use spiritual weapons—the Word of God and prayer (Eph. 6:11–18; Heb. 4:12); and we must depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the power that we need. But an army must fight together, and this is why Paul sends these admonitions to his friends at Philippi. He is explaining in this paragraph that there are three essentials for victory in the battle to protect “the faith.”

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 4488 πολιτεύομαι

politeuomai

How can a group of Christians fight this enemy? “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh” (, NASB). Peter took up a sword in the Garden, and Jesus rebuked him (). We use spiritual weapons—the Word of God and prayer (; ); and we must depend on the Holy Spirit to give us the power that we need. But an army must fight together, and this is why Paul sends these admonitions to his friends at Philippi. He is explaining in this paragraph that there are three essentials for strength in the struggle to protect “the faith.”

PP- 1. Act Right!

(NIV) — 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel

Illustration: Get a Pic of My Grand Mother.

the body politic organized for the general good . He is saying, “Behave the way citizens are supposed to behave.” in our case, act like you are from our city, the Kingdom of God!

My grand mother used to warn me when I was young before we entered any store, to Act right! What she was saying was, you are a Ward. Act like Ward’s act. Be respectful, follow directions, make her proud.

PP- “Conduct” is translated from a Greek verb “politeuomai” (pa-low-too-ooh-my-ee). This is related to our word politics. Politic originally implied citizenship and commonwealth -a state or nation in which the people possess sovereignty; republic the body politic organized for the general good. He is saying, “Behave the way citizens are supposed to behave.” in our case, act like you are from our city, the Kingdom of God!

A part of protecting of faith is to act like we are children of the most high God!

We do not behave in order to go to heaven, as though we could be saved by our good works; but we behave because our names are already written in heaven, and our citizenship is in heaven.

PP- (NIV)

20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,

If I’m convinced of this, then I’ll act like who i am.

It is worth remembering that the world around us knows only the Gospel that it sees in our lives.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Battle Stations! (Philippians 1:27–30)

We do not behave in order to go to heaven, as though we could be saved by our good works; but we behave because our names are already written in heaven, and our citizenship is in heaven.

It is worth remembering that the world around us knows only the Gospel that it sees in our lives.

One of the greatest weapons against the devil is a godly life. And a people that practices the truth, that “behaves what it believes,” is going to defeat the enemy. Paul says that this is the first essential for victory in a struggle, fight, or battle.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Battle Stations! (Philippians 1:27–30)

The greatest weapon against the devil is a godly life. And a local church that practices the truth, that “behaves what it believes,” is going to defeat the enemy. This is the first essential for victory in this battle.

Act right, you are a king’s Kid!

(NIV) — 2 You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.

Paul told the Christians that they were his letters of commendation. People are reading you to determine whether or not the gospel is true!

The Old Covenant was written on stone, the New Covenant is inscribed on human hearts!

PP- 2. Act Together -

The word translated “striving together” gives us our English word “athletics.” Paul pictures the church as a team, and he reminds them that it is teamwork that wins victories.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Battle Stations! (Philippians 1:27–30)

The word translated “striving together” gives us our English word “athletics.” Paul pictures the church as a team, and he reminds them that it is teamwork that wins victories.

Keep in mind that there was division in the church at Philippi. For one thing, two women were not getting along with each other (Phil. 4:2). Apparently the members of the fellowship were taking sides, as is often the case, and the resulting division was hindering the work of the church. The enemy is always happy to see internal divisions in a local ministry. “Divide and conquer!” is his motto, and too often he has his way. It is only as believers stand together that they can overcome the wicked one.

Throughout this letter, Paul uses an interesting device to emphasize the importance of unity. In the Greek language, the prefix sun- means “with, together,” and when used with different words, strengthens the idea of unity. (It is somewhat like our prefix co-.) At least sixteen times, Paul uses this prefix in Philippians, and his readers could not have missed the message! In Philippians 1:27, the Greek word is sunathleo—“striving together as athletes.”

The word translated “striving together” gives us our English word “athletics.” Paul pictures the church as a team, and he reminds them that it is teamwork that wins victories.

Keep in mind that there was division in the church at Philippi. For one thing, two women were not getting along with each other (). Apparently the members of the fellowship were taking sides, as is often the case, and the resulting division was hindering the work of the church. The enemy is always happy to see internal divisions in a local ministry. “Divide and conquer!” is his motto, and too often he has his way. It is only as believers stand together that they can overcome the wicked one.

Throughout this letter, Paul uses an interesting literary device to emphasize the importance of unity. In the Greek language, the prefix sun- means “with, together,” and when used with different words, strengthens the idea of unity. (It is somewhat like our prefix co-.) At least sixteen times, Paul uses this prefix in Philippians, and his readers could not have missed the message!

PP- In , the Greek word is sunathleo—“striving together as athletes.”

“sun” is a Greek prefix equivalent to “co”

This is why Golden State is such a force to contend with, they play together passing the ball as one!

Standing together doesn't mean that we have the same preferences in all things. It doesn’t mean we like the same things, it simply means we are one in Spirit!

PP- 3. Act Confidently - “without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 4769 πτύρομαι

ptyromai

ptyromai - afraid. be intimidated. This particular verb only occurs here

Another way to protect the faith is to exercise it!

Confidence is two-fold sign:

The enemy will lose! When you act confidently, this will prove to them that they will lose.

I Will Win! “…but that you will be saved and that by God” Not only will the enemy lose, but the enemy will lose to me! God is the one who will make the winning possible.

Politeuomai - to live as a citizen. Polis is the root word here meaning city or town.

Act like you are a citizen! Act like you belong. You are a part of the kingdom of God!

Act like you know where you come from and what you are a part of!

By Jade Blue; Updated April 24, 2017

Salmon and other fish swim upstream because they must make the journey for reproductive purposes. Salmon and a number of other fish, including coho and rainbow trout, follow a familiar scent that leads them back to the location of their birth. This is where the circle of life begins and ends for each species.

Stand firm in one Spirit-

Scientists indicate that salmon and other types of fish are naturally predisposed to the journey upstream. According to an article in USA Today, scientists state that home odors are embedded in the minds of certain fish. Home odors are smells that are unique to each body of water. When the fish reach maturity and wish to spawn, or reproduce, they are instinctively drawn back to the place of their birth by the home odors. Their bodies prepare for reproduction as the reach the home odor source.

When fish mature, they feel an instinctive need to reproduce. Certain groups must travel upstream. During upstream spawning, large numbers of males and females congregate to fertilize a number of eggs, which guards against predators wiping out an entire species. Upstream waters are calmer, creating the perfect environment for embryo growth. Most species require a lengthy gestation period. On average, it takes three to four months for salmon eggs to hatch. Downstream waters are more active, increasing the risk of eggs being swept away.

Adults die within a week of spawning, leaving the young to fend for themselves after hatching. Their decaying bodies create a nutrient-rich environment for the growing embryos. Young fish have yolk attached to their throats, eliminating the immediate need for a food source. After a month or so, they feed on insects, which are in greater abundance at gentler upstream bodies of water. They eat larger items after migrating to larger bodies of water.

Swimming upstream for spawning purposes simplifies migration. Younger fish who do not possess the strength to swim great distances follow the currents downstream. Larger food sources are available, allowing them to increase in size and prepare for their own spawning journey in the future. Thus, salmon and other fish swim upstream for the benefit of future generations.

The Red Color

The fish don’t eat during their journey. They begin to digest their own skin, this is why their color turns red.

Their Trip

The round trip (leaving to go to the ocean and then returning), has taken 5 years. They cover about 7,000 miles. Their reward is death. The female thrashes out a nest. The male shadows her and then does his part. The odds of her offspring surviving is are so low, this is why she releases thousand of eggs to ensure that some will make the return run in 5 years.

Stand firm in one Spirit-

Striving together- does not necessarily imply that we are are struggling with the same problem. The qualifier to standing firm in one spirit is that you have something you’re struggling with, and we together stand firm.

The life of a Christian is not a playground; it is a battleground. We are Sons and Daughters birthed from the Gospel, we are servants serving the Gospel, and we are soldiers defending the Gospel.

(NIV) — 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Frightened -

(NIV) — 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

(NIV)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter to the Philippians A. Paul in Chains

Citizens of Philippi, a Roman colony, would certainly have been impressed by the news that the gospel had advanced among the palace guard in Rome and that members of the imperial service in the capital city had become Christians

tells us that for two years, he recieved visitors and proclaimed the gospel to the extent that Paul was convincing even some members of Caesar’s household to have faith in Jesus.

Citizens of Philippi, a Roman colony, would certainly have been impressed by the news that the gospel had advanced among the palace guard in Rome and that members of the imperial service in the capital city had become Christians

The Philippian church was established (). It had the episkopos - overseerers (leaders who direct the affairs of the church and who is held accountable for the church membership)and the diakonos - deacons ( care for the need and livelihood of the assembly as a whole.)

Phillipian 1:7-8 Paul testified that he had some serious struggles from time to time. but, he informed us that he nevertheless had GRACE. in verse 8 he also had the ability to have a heart for people, even through his personal struggles!

In order to exercise discernment, you must have a complexity before you! Discerning what’s best means that you can identify what is worst! Discernment can keep you out of the mouth of the enemy!

(NIV)

8 Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,

Philippians Was Among Paul’s Favorites

Philippians is believed to be the apple of Paul’s eye by some theologians, and at the very least one of Paul’s favorite churches he helped to birth!

You know how it is when you have something that your favorite. We like to pretended that all things are equal, and that all people you know are your best friend, but let’s be real, authentic, we have favorites!

We treat our favorite things and people differently. Jesus had Peter, James, and John.

Grandparents don’t like to admit it, but sometimes they do have a few of the grandkids they are close to. Especially he ones who come over all the time. THe ones who they had to pick up off the ground when knees were scraped. The grandchild that had a serious surgery that required that someone had to look after them for 30 days and grandma was there feeding them soup and crackers. The grandchild that needed extra care when they had a stomach ache.

It’s no surprise that the grandparent would have a special affection toward the child that needed them. It’s not that they don’t love the other grand kids that live 800 miles away and only get to see them maybe once a year. But the ones that grandma had to bathe, feed, pick up from school because they got sick, have a uniquely favorite place within the heart of the that grandparent that is not announced to everybody! Its a secret within the heart.

Paul calls this church in chapter 4 verse 1 his, “…joy and crown...”

Suffer - agōn - Fight, conflict, contention, intense race

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Conflict

1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7, “fight”; Heb. 12:1, “race”; hence, (c) “the inward conflict of the soul”; inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict,” Phil. 1:30; 1 Thess. 2:2, implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries; so Col. 2:1, “conflict,” KJV; RV, “(how greatly) I strive,” lit., “how great a conflict I have.

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Conflict

1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7, “fight”; Heb. 12:1, “race”; hence, (c) “the inward conflict of the soul”; inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict,” Phil. 1:30; 1 Thess. 2:2, implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries; so Col. 2:1, “conflict,” KJV; RV, “(how greatly) I strive,” lit., “how great a conflict I have.

(NIV)

Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words Conflict

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

(NIV)

7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

(NIV)

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

; , “fight”; , “race”; hence, (c)

“the inward conflict of the soul”;

inward “conflict” is often the result, or the accompaniment, of outward “conflict,” ;

, implying a contest against spiritual foes, as well as human adversaries;

so , “conflict,” KJV; RV, “(how greatly) I strive,” lit., “how great a conflict I have.

(NIV)

2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition.

8 times a form of the word “rejoice” appears in the Book of time is gives us the word joy.

We Have Been Given A Gift!

(NIV)

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,

(NIV)

22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

He has graced us with Suffering. When you are given a gift, it is no good if you can’t use the gift!

Grace means that you have been given smomething to use with all of the necessary parts needed to operate the gift.

WHat good is a remote controlled car, if you don’t have the batteries.

WHen God gave you the gift of suffereing, he gave you everything you need in order to come out sucessfully.

The end result of suffering for Christ is power!

(NIV)

12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Strength In Struggle

How To Act

Why Do Salmon & Other Fish Swim Upstream?

Biological Wiring

Reproduction

Survival of Young

Migration