Philippians 1:1

Well for some reason it will not let me comment on the very awesome blog: HisWords,MyThoughts so I guess I will take it to my own blog.

PHILIPPIANS 1:1
"This letter is from Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus. I am writing to all of God's holy people in Phillippi who belong to Christ Jesus, including the elders and deacons."

As mentioned in the HisWords,MyThoughts blog, holy people (saints) were set apart for God. That just amazes me! Not the fact that I can call myself a saint, but that God set me, little 'ol Dana,apart! I am a child of God! There is so much more than just being set apart for God, it isn't just a title that I can put on my college application letter. GOD CHOSE ME TO BE ONE OF HIS MANY CHILDREN! I am a part of a family that loves, forgives, and accepts me for who I am. I have heard this phrase over and over, and it is starting to stick with me. ~Iron sharpens iron~ and when I think I can do this all on my own, i realize I am nothing without Christ, I am nothing without my family, and I am nothing without community! In this environment of people, I am brought closer to God. I think this was Paul and Timothy's aim: to bring people to Christ and strengthen their faith and love for others.

Paul also really amazes me! He truly lived by: love God, love others. To write so many letters, spend so much time praying, visiting, and loving them with so much passion! It reminds me that God had a plan for him before he was even born. He knew the events to come, and chose to appear at that specific time in Paul's(then Saul's) life! The changes you see in Paul- how he went from working against God's people to preaching God's word, and bringing so many to Jesus!(Acts 9:1-31)It's comforting to know that God has a plan for me. I need to love and trust him with all of my heart, soul, and mind! I also need to love people more! On a radio show a woman said: Love is a death.. a death of self! I need to love people selflessly and not what I can gain from it! I think Paul mastered this himself and I aim to follow in not only his steps, but Christ's steps as well.

**Lord I pray that I will follow in the steps of your son, Jesus, to Love others selflessly. It is a struggle in a world that is all focused on what I can get for myself and not what I can do for others. I thank you so much for Paul and his story! What encouragement that brings me! Continue to change and mold me, Lord, to be the woman of Christ you planned and designed for me to be. In your name we give all glory to, Amen!**