Overcomers 4/10/21

Phil 1:21-26 Live for Christ - “ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.”

We see Paul’s desire for life and doing whatever is possible for our life in Christ.  We often get self focused in our struggle with habitual or addictive behaviors.  We live for our desires and follow that with guilt and regret.  We pursue what we want which is often not what God has in mind or wants for our lives.  We need to back away from the details of life and envision or meditate on what God may want for our lives.  Too often we focus on our self focus “little life” and miss the opportunity to seize the vision of God’s “Big Life”.  We see Paul’s focus on the Phillipians in his comment in vs 24 - more necessary for you - he is focused on others.  This is a key for your recovery.  We need to be reaching our to others for support and input.  We also need to be encouraging others in their struggles.  Look for ways to help.  Look how Paul and Silas leave Phillipi in Acts 16.  After being freed from jail and encouraged to leave town - he visits Lydia and encourages the disciples.  We need to get started focusing on others and not our desires.