Even when we are going though the what might seem to be the hardest of times in our life, we can still be profitable for Christ! Its during these times that we can not only show others the peace, the strength, and the Love that God has given us, BUT its also a time that we can draw so much closer to Him!! Here are some of the things that should describe us during these times.

1) Forgiving 2) Joyful 3) Loving 4) Determined

Lets look at Determined !! Philippians 3: 7 - 11

verse 7 -- " But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ"

Paul was saying, All things that I had gained myself, (human works) were not profitable to Christ.

verse 8 -- " that I might win Christ"

Paul is saying, "im giving up all things that I have gained or accomplished on my own, to gain the only thing that matters! CHRIST!!!!

verse 9 -- " and be found in Him"

To be Christlike! Not by anything I have done, but by the righteousness that I recieve from my faith! From believing in HIM

verse 10 -- " That I may know Him"

That I may be closer to Him than I have ever been before! To have that personal relationship with Him in a day to day experience!

Paul knows Christ as savior! But even he realized he needed to be closer to him. Paul went through some of the hardest of times, but he never lost his focus of what Christ wanted him to be! And that was someone to spread the the Love of Christ! Even when Paul was cast into prison time and time again, he was content!!! He was content with each situation that he was in, as long as he had an opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ! We can be the same way. Even during the hardest of times, keep your head up. Look for God to open the door to others for you to share His love!

John 14 : 27 " Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID"

Love

Jody