Philippians 1:27-30

Philippians 1:27-30
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.

As I write this it is a bit ironic because my wife and oldest daughter are watching American Idol and the performer is singing "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkel.  He is singing about a fighter who is beaten and bearing scars, but he still remains standing.  As I hear those words, I read these verses...


"Don't be intimidated by your enemies..."
"For you have been given the privilege of suffering for him."
"We are in this struggle together..."


There are days, lately, that I have begun to feel a little bit more of the struggle and fight of being on the front line of "fighting together for the faith."  I am in no way saying that I have been persecuted like too many of our brothers and sisters around the world, but lately I'm simply feeling the struggle of living out my faith.


What does this struggle mean to you?  Have you felt the presence of the enemy in your life?  How are you in this struggle with?  Who do you look to as an example to inspire you?


Under the Mercy,
Jason