{"id":7533,"date":"2020-10-16T12:53:07","date_gmt":"2020-10-16T20:53:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gracepointephrata.org\/fbc\/?p=7533"},"modified":"2020-12-10T10:22:17","modified_gmt":"2020-12-10T18:22:17","slug":"vantagepoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gracepointephrata.org\/fbc\/2020\/10\/16\/vantagepoint\/","title":{"rendered":"Vantage Point- An Introduction to Philippians"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column_text]We are all facing personal challenges that at times feel as if they are insurmountable. You may be frightened, unsure, worried, confused, overwhelmed, angry, sad, anxious. At the very least there is a level of uncertainty that is difficult for anyone to see beyond.<\/p>\n

Admiral James Stockdale spent seven-plus years in a North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp. He suffered isolation, brutality, and uncertainty. Stockdale\u2019s words encourage us to have a correct perspective on our current reality.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end \u2014which you can never afford to lose \u2014with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.\u201d \u2014 James Stockdale<\/p>\n

The Apostle Paul writes the letter of Philippians to give us God\u2019s vantage point on living the Christian life. Without the larger perspective from God, our minds will threaten to run off without us, devolving into despair.<\/p>\n

Today we begin a sermon series from the book of Philippians which will enlarge our perspective individually and collectively. This series will focus our vision on the Lord Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Let us confront the brutal facts of the present situation. Let us never let go of the knowledge that God is still in control and guides us into immense joy, \u2014even times of adversity.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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