The Christian's Point of No Return

The Christian's Point of No Return
Philippians 4:4-13, 19

Example of an airplane flying over the sea reaches what has become known as the point of no return - that is the plane has traveled more than half the distance of the flight in view and is now closer to the landing field than to the starting point. Now regardless of what may happen the pilot will have to go forward to his destination.

Every Christian life has many a point of no return - not only of length of life, but of each year and each day - He must go forward, no stopping, and no return.

In Christ, every year and every day can become a time of fresh renewal and the beginning of a still richer experience. Through faith in Christ every point of no return opens the way for larger and more useful service to God and His Church.

To take advantage of this opportunity, the child of God needs to learn from the past certain lessons that will lead to a stronger character for the journey ahead.

Paul in Philippians shows that he has mastered these lessons. Just before the text - he endures hardships then he declares "I have learned ... how to make ends meet." Because of experiences he has accepted certain truths which lead him to declare "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14. Since he rested on this assurance he could live in high hopes of reaching his goal - "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

These lessons he has passed on to us believers. He encourages us to make the best out of every point of no return. Urges us to follow principles for daily Christian living that we may have such times of spiritual renewal:

I. Delight in the Lord continually - verse 4
"rejoice in the Lord always"
Circumstances make this full of meaning. This voice from prison declares that he was making his own atmosphere in which to live and interpreting the incidents and accidents from a really Christian view point. He saw the guiding hand of God in all things, saw His control, and His sustaining grace and could get a push toward a richer life.

2 Corinthians 5:18 - "All things are of God" He must have lived in consciousness of the presence of God for he declared "The Lord is at hand" - Philippians 4:5

Sense of partnership - kept him aware of the cooperating and concern of the Holy Spirit.

It may seem idealistic to say "Rejoice in the Lord", however 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." In Christ, he learns to give thanks in the midst of circumstances. Rejoice calls for both praise and thanksgiving. Praise God for His character and His purpose, His faithfulness, and His provision.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord - Psalm 34:2. Delighting in the privilege of the Father - son - relationship - and soul's encounter with God.

The person who rejoices in God is living in Christ. Being in Christ creates a new atmosphere of praise and enables the Christian to be at this best for service among men.

II. Think about good things (verse 8) "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are pure."
Because of blunders, disappointments, failures, many assume an attitude of defeat. Serious conflicts with evil thoughts from Satan or other sources come to all of us. Don't fight them directly - tends to fix them in our consciences, but choose to meditate on the pure, healthful, and the good that God provides us. As these ideas permeate the mind, the Lord enables the believer to cast out the disturbing thoughts and displace them with incentives for spiritual rewards.

Set your affections on things above which allows one to live more and more in the light of Christian hope. The more he contemplates the greatness of God the more certain he becomes the most High rules in all the affairs of nations and men.

III. Learn the make ends meet ( Verse 11 - 12)
Paul met the Master and accepted him as Savior and Lord and settled it that he would take a positive attitude toward self-discipline and seek to make all areas of his life harmonize with the love of God in his heart.
Difficulties come mostly through lack of adjustments to life's loads and lots.

Must submit to the will of God - 1. his preferences 2. ambitions 3. purposes to seek kingdom advance

Must adjust agreeably regardless of temptation to self pity or to resent his lot in life.

IV. Trust in Christ for strength (verse 13)
I can do all things through Christ.
After conversion, He was first in Paul's thinking, and planning, work, and hopes - in his preaching Christ was the center and source.
This intimate knowledge of Him, daily fellowship increases confidence and hope.
In everything He offers His wisdom, power, and grace. Promises to never leave. Hebrews 13:5

Delights in the Lord continually
Thinks about good things
Learn to make ends meet
Trust in Christ for strength

Thoughts

I have spent the last few years running from myself. I constantly feel incomplete for whatever reason. I think it is because I start so many things and fail to finish anything. I spent my early 20s writing. I loved to write stories, poems, and basically anything that crept into my mind. Unfortunately, I began to believe I could "do" something with all of this which caused me to worry about what it sounded like and what would people think...that was the worst thing I could do. Instead of enjoying writing, I turned it into a source of stress and guilt - all because I couldn't just accept that I enjoyed writing and it gives me peace. So...I spent tonight reading over all the weird stories I have started from murder mysteries to very strange thoughts that I can't explain. I thought it would be nice to post the weird poetry of my youth!



The time of irrepressible desire consumes the essence of this presence.
Unlock the sorrow buried in your soul, once again allow passion and love to penetrate your being. Act as the liaison between good and greatness, accept your destiny, hold true to the mind, the heart, the body...remember the past, but do not continue to live in the darkness of what was. Be true. Once again allow the feeling, accept the challenge and love life.

Do not wish this life away, hold on to the present, live as though there will never again be another day. Rest when necessary, cry when appropriate, laugh always, dream..always a dreamer! I want to remember what happened in my life. I choose to believe it will tell me more about who I am.

My sweet love lingers in the everlasting peace of this life.
You are my angel sent by the sweetness watching my soul.
The prince of my kingdom, the missing link in my world.
With you, life proceeds with strength and dignity as we journey together, forever my love.

hope that the pain will end
see the light near
only you can set me free from the chains around me
see you there all alone
desire consumes consumption

The journey that I prepare to go on risks nothing, but needs everything. As I prepare myself to go back to my home, the uneasy feeling of dread overcomes me...He is the light at the end of the tunnel. The one who knows me..the only one I care to share my inner turmoil and thoughts with...

From my Solo Trip to Myrtle Beach sitting enjoying the ocean view...The only thing that exonerates my loneliness is hope..without hope there is nothing. My mind drifts into motion much like the waves of the ocean. The dam erupts as my every emotion displays itself on this page. Thought kept buried for months wanting to flow into words, but only time was to alleviate the pain consuming them to their solemn place. The sounds of the waves of the great ocean take me to a place that only I can visit, the place within my heart and soul that I dare to hide from the outside - a contentment of sorts needing relief from the pressures of my so-called life. As I sit here surrounded by God's beauty and nature's hypnotizing sounds is the first time I search for a peace that is so needed in my heart. Couples stroll along the bountiful beach in total consumption of each other, an innocent child embraced by his loving father..oh tranquility, tender love and affection. As I look to the light, I see the sun trying to make a comeback before it sleeps, the clouds part for the majestic light to penetrate the earth.

Without hope there is nothing, without love, there is no hope..only the small task of loving the one is too great for most mortal men. Love is free, it is pure.. you can be and do anything when you have the fortune of love.

Love speak to me, bring out what has been buried in you for so long, release your thoughts, your exterior wall is now crumbling as you long to find the passion in your soul of love and life beyond reality but peace in you - in your very being for to love yourself means capabilities.

Alone, all alone, I sit night after night, day after day
Sometimes I wonder why I am here...all alone, all alone
I feel people near, but I long to be...all alone, all alone
Why am I scared to be alone, when I all I really want is to be left alone...all alone, all alone
I am always alone..all alone
Life is meant to be lived alone...all alone
so wonder why I am the only one alone...all alone, all alone

The day he comes will be a blessed occasion full of joy and utter chaos
The end is near in the search for my one true love
to know him is to love
to love produces fear in my aching heart
only the love that watches over me in heaven
only she can make me see what is so real standing next to me
I want to wake up everyday in his arms
I want to love him all the days of my life.

The Magic of Love

The Magic of Love
by J.B. Jones

The magic of love...the soft slow dance of your spirit throughout my days. You are with me now more than ever. Through you..things can emerge from deep in my soul, to unlock the pain of years of repression and mourn your sad passing.

He said you impressed him in a bible study one night with a large group of people. You were the one his shy soul longed for as you spoke so confidently to the group. He saw in you the gift of God..God's gift...God's love. His first impression of you surprised me to say the least. He saw you as a loving kind, young woman able to do what he himself could not. It was you who unlocked his passions and fears to become the man he is today. Through your gentle touch and kind words, you touched many lives. It amazes me of your strength, but on the other hand, I saw insecurity and uncertainty. You must have been a vibrant person in your day. I regret only knowing the unsure side of you, however, sweet, stubborn, and fiercely independent..

Through you my love was created, by the fruits of your being..

Just some random thoughts I wrote shortly after my grandmother's death focusing primarily on my grandfather's memories of the first time he saw my grandmother.


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