THE COBLE STYLE: (Lifestyle...Calling...Purpose)

Greetings...are you living your life...with style?

"Therefore if there is any ENCOURAGEMENT IN CHRIST...if there is any CONSOLATION OF LOVE...if there is any FELLOWSHIP OF THE SPIRIT...if there is any AFFECTION AND COMPASSION...make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining in the same love, united in spirit intent on one purpose...Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with HUMILITY OF MIND...regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests...but also for the interests of others." (Philippians 2:1-4)

Well...that's a pretty tall order. The standard is high. I know in my flesh...in my self...I cannot do it. I must have an example of someone..that I can imitate. Now Gayle Erwin...who wrote the book on servanthood...literally...and the books on the Spririt and the Father...with The Spirit Style...The Father Style...and the one that started it all...The Jesus Style...lays out a convincing edict to love the Father...flow in the Spirit...and serve like Jesus.


Paul was pretty adamant...in Philippians 4..that we are to be anxious for nothing...that we are to pray...supplicate...and thank Him before we see any answers to our prayers. Paul then encourages us to LET/ALLOW our minds to dwell on
"whatever is true, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report/repute,
if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise."
(Philippians 4:8)

Again...this is a pretty tall order...if only we could see someone living the example.

Again...Paul tells us..."The things you have (1) learned (2) received (3) heard
(4) seen in ME (Paul...a human being).. PRACTICE THESE THINGS."
(Philippians 4:9) The cause and effect will be the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

Now...at the risk of embarrassing...or lifting up a human being...let me introduce you to Bruce Coble. If Bruce should happen to read this...he will of course deny what I am saying...because that's how he rolls....BUT...I think there is a validity to...finding an example...and practicing what the example does.

Of course JESUS is our ultimate example....but we are called to observe His followers...and imitate the JESUS IN THEM.

"For you have been CALLED for this PURPOSE..."
(I Peter 2:21) Many people are looking for a "calling" that they can live out in their walk with the Lord. Many people are looking for a "purpose"...that will give them a reason for living and feeling of self satisfaction. Well...hang on... here is the calling and purpose rolled into one.

"...since Christ also suffered for you...LEAVING YOU AN EXAMPLE...to FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS." ( I Peter 2:21)

1. Who committed no sin
2. Nor was any deceit found in His mouth
3. While being reviled...He did not revile in return
4. While suffering...He uttered no threats...BUT...kept
ENTRUSTING HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES RIGHTEOUSLY.

For years I have watch Bruce...live the life...aka lifestyle. In season...out of season. Is Bruce perfect? No! Does he sin...make mistakes...blow it? All the time! But does he keep going back to the cross...receive forgiveness...continue to walk and serve the Lord by serving the "least of these"? Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssss!

FINAL THOUGHTS...FINALLY

I could think of a lot worse people to imitate their faith. The next time you are at a cover dish dinner on the grounds...follow Bruce around...and welcome to the end of the line.

Love and Serving Kisses
Rodney "Imitating Jesus" Boyd