Sorry , this should have been posted yesterday, and I have no excuse..life is just coming at me fast..and I decided to play and take a break. Check out this study going on at Philter48 , click on the button “Philippians Study”. (easy huh?)
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.(ESV)
These verses are intense. I love Paul’s Kingdom-minded perspective. All for the Kingdom. In every case of what the world would say is trial and persecution in Paul’s life, was the finger of God moving HIS plan into action, to spread the gospel to all nations. Totally blows my mind. Paul could have whined and complained about all that was happening to him, but his Believing God was always in tact! He knew that God was good, and if HE allowed such things, then GREAT things of a larger magnitude was at stake. Can you think of anything greater than a lost soul coming to Christ?
Paul was imprisoned and his charge was following Christ, and telling others about HIM. Can you imagine the guards in the prison, knowing this, and still the man keeps going, and going, and going…(talk about energizer!)
I am convinced that without the mind of Christ, and Knowing the heart of God…this is where the rubber meets the road! Many claim to know HIM, but in the slightest discomfort, the whining, and complaining is unbelievable! Paul demonstrates a heart fixed on Christ, the author and perfector of his faith, and not the world.
Are we focused on the Kingdom? Are we all about ourself? or all about God? seems to me there is no middle of the road.
ponderings of a princess... 