"When Life Give You Lemons"

Make lemonade! The idea behind this catchy (yet hard to follow) phrase is to make the best of a bad situation. Some people come by it naturally. They are always looking on the positive side, and try hard to turn a bad situation into a good situation. Others (like me) struggle to keep this thought in mind.

In our Wednesday night Bible study, we are going through the New Testament book of Philippians, and plan to continue until Dec. 17. Our schedule is simple:

7:00-7:10 Coffee, goodies, visiting

                7:10-7:55 Bible study

                7:55-8:00 Breakout groups for (prayer, application, life)

Feel free to come as early and stay as long as you want. Just come! If you are afraid of starting late…don’t be. Most people will miss a week or two during the study.

A quick over of the book includes: A letter written to the believers in Philippi that Paul met while on his second missionary journey who have supported Paul in his mission efforts before and are supporting him once again.

   In this letter, Paul writes about a variety of topics including his love for the people, the importance of living out the Christian faith, the example of Jesus to follow, and how to have joy and contentment in spite of circumstances.

    What stands out to me the most, is that Paul isn’t writing as a retired missionary living out the golden years by a lake. Paul is under house arrest for a crime that he didn’t commit (at least in part) and is awaiting trial that could result in his death. Instead of crying the blues or demanding justice, Paul is “making lemonade with the lemon that life has given him.” Paul is using this time in jail as an opportunity to share Jesus; Philippians 1:12-13 “Now I want you to know brothers, that what has happened to me has served to advance the gospel. Vs. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard that I am in chains for Christ.”

How many of us can say we would look at Paul’s situation the same way if it were us in his shoes? Not many, if any. Most can’t handle the lesser troubles we face in life. Paul may have been what I am not…an optimist. But he doesn’t claim that for his reasons to endure hardships. Paul looked to the Lord for his help.

Even when Paul went without his physical needs he gives God the credit for getting him through it. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

   When life gives you lemons (and you know they will), make lemonade. Not by sheer will power, but by God’s help. Ask him to help you to make the most of the situation(s) you find yourself in.

                                                                                                                                                Pastor Josh