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This morning I was reading Paul's letter from prison 
and thinking what I would tend to write about if I were in prison....   
...How bad it is.. 
How unfair it is.. 
The little indignities 
The injustice of it all.... 
How the guards are... 
...bla bla bla... 
complain, whine,  
let others know how much I am suffering for Jesus.... 
Hmm... 
BUT
Paul starts off with encouragement
and never actually goes anywhere else.
In fact he promotes those who put him in prison
and the Jesus they are talking about
(to try and make life miserable for Paul)
is actually bringing attention to Jesus
and he says that's a good thing!...
Paul writes to bless the believers there
words like;
vs 3 - I thank God
vs 4 - pray with joy
vs 5 - our partnership
vs 6 - good work in you
vs 7 - hold you in my heart
vs 8 - affection for you
vs 9 - abounding love
vs 10 - approving excellent
vs 11 - filled with righteous fruit
Wow...
What was Paul's 'secret'?
here are a few things that 'set it up'
to live life that way;
1:21   - to Live is Christ
         - to Die is Gain
                          Hmm...
1:29  - Suffering for Jesus is a privilege
Double Hmmm...  
maybe even Gulp!
2:19 - he does everything without grumbling or complaining
(because Jesus brings purpose and usefulness to every part of suffering)
4:11 - he has contentment in Jesus whatEver the circumstances
Interesting.
Paul chooses a perspective in the first 2
that makes it possible to 'live into' the last 2
AND
I want to live like Paul did.
So that from 'prison'
I couldwrite encouraging letters...
So that in a 'boring' job
or poor health 
or facing financial problems
or Not...
I can live beyond...
for myself
and others....
Lord,
THAT's how I want to live.
Remind me Lord
Teach me.
Set the bar.
to live out of Your 
Abundant Life.
In Every situation
That
the 'good news'
really is.
Yeah.
PJ