Philippians 1:19-20

Philippians 1

verse 19,20  for I know that the through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death.

 

In verse 4 of this same chapter, Paul tells the Philippians of his prayers for them, now this verse is his prayer request for them to lift him up. Paul is asking for deliverance, he wants them to pray for it. It is not about life or death. His prayer is for his witness to be Christ no matter what happens.  Regardless of imprisonment or death, or freedom..Paul is asking that he continue to glorify Christ in his body.  

While studying through these two verses, again I am blown away at Paul’s faith.  He is not doubting that there will be deliverance. He is believing that it will either be worldly and temporal or heavenly eternal. Still deliverance.  His focus is on Christ, and how to glorify HIM.  

Just something to think about…remember Paul used to be Saul, who persecuted Christians. I am sure he saw many amazing things in those martyrs deaths.  Stephen..singing praise while being stoned…and I am sure the others had something of Christ about them while they died.  Now Paul is looking at the same thing for himself.  He wants Christ to be glorified in his body.  

Over at Philter48 , we have talked about different things this could mean, and purity is one of them..very interesting thoughts..go over and check the conversations out, join in where ever you choose, or just read..  I would love to hear your thoughts on these two verses, either here or over there in our Philippians Study Conversations.  Peace.  Christ be glorified in our bodies, whether we live or die…amazing, good stuff!

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Desire = suffering?

Today while reading Experiencing GOD Day-by-Day, by Henry & Richard Blackaby, something hit me differently than ever before in this passage.

Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone desires to come after ME, Let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow ME.”  

So many have been fed a gospel that is comfortable, and requires no suffering, then when these things happen, they walk away from God.  Sounding off about how HE did not fulfill HIS promises, and the Christian walk just doesn’t work.  If you feel this way..you have been misled!  This walk isn’t comfortable most of the time, and suffering is par for the course…really.  Jesus suffered to bring us salvation, and we, too, will suffer as we spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are not now nor will ever be greater than our master.  

Still desire HIM?  I hope you say yes.  Although at times, we cry out with pain, we have a constant friend who is closer than a brother, the Holy Spirt.  HE will guide us, comfort us, teach us, and intercede for us.  The benefits of knowing Christ, and making HIM known are far greater than any suffering.  Just look around you…this world is cursed, and its going to fall apart. You can’t stop it, you can try, but you can’t stop it.  All the petitions and phone calls to your congressmen and senators is not going to change the course that God has already laid out.  HIS plan does not have flaws.  

The one who truly desires HIM, is carrying thier cross(what ever that may be), and believing that HE is worth it!  I believe that HE is worth it.

Father God, please hear our cries for your mercy on us and the world around us. Please help us to walk in step with your Spirit, to deny ourself and pick up our cross. Life in this world is so temporal in comparison to an eternity with YOU.  Yes, YOU are worth it.  Help us to stand strong, help us to be lights to a dying world. Please unveil the eyes of the ones that are misled about you. Give them and us a hunger for your Word, and to believe with all our hearts its Truth.  Your princess who believes you are worth it, and we just are not home yet.

Blogged Bible Study – John 16 “why trouble?”

Since John 16 starts with “All this I have told you…” I really need to back up into the last part of 15 to get the whole picture.

15: 18-16:4  Jesus explains to the disciples that if the world hates them, it is because of HIM. They hated HIM to without reason.  And ulitmately the reason was because they did not know HIS Father who sent HIM. We are never greater than HE, so we shouldn’t be surprised when this happens.  HE gives this warning so the disciples and us do not stray away from HIM when it happens.  Constantly remembering what 15:1-17 has instructed, to abide/remain in HIM.

I found this interesting and worth taking a closer look;

John 16:1-4 “All this I have told you so that you will not go astray. They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they do not know the Father or me.  I have told you this, so that when the time comes you will remember that I warned you.  I did not tell you this at first because I was with you.”

All of this did take place for the disciples in their futures, it also is still happening around the world.  Believers are being persecuted and killed for thier faith…no other reason, they haven’t found a criminal act for such punishment. Although, in many countries, believing that Jesus died for our sin and rose again and it returning for us…is a crime.

Thinking of Americans…who have yet to face that type of persecution, we still face the wrath of professing believers, who believe they are doing what God wants them to do.  Spiritual Abuse is rampant in America.  Professing believers, persecuting other believers.  I have been extremely distraught over this at times.  I was asked to leave a church because of teaching preteens who they are in Christ, and attributes of God.  Why? I asked that many times.  Now I sit and look at these verses…Just because someone attends church, or is there every time the doors are open, does not make them a Christ Follower.  *sigh*  I see many people straying away from the faith, due to this activity that is not from God.  We have been warned.  Just like the disciples…

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Why so surprised at trouble in the world? Why so surprised when its directed at us?  We have been warned…Abiding/remaining in HIM is where peace lies, and its ours.  HE has overcome the world!  Another phrase of Christ that tells me the battle is won…its over the ending is finalized.  Again…we aren’t home yet!

There is much in this chapter about the sending and recieving of the Holy Spirit.  Sweet!  and through out this week I hope to touch on that. *sigh*  this is just one post.  Get in the word, read it, pray over it, ask and HE will help you to understand…its not just history, its for YOU.  Peace.

(this is the first of many posts on this chapter this week, please go here and read the rest, I am anxious to read them myself! )

B.U.S.Y. (but you said this yoke was light?)

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30  (I believe this is God’s word and it is truth.)

These verses have caused question in my mind so often before the Lord.  I sometimes find myself in business, to the point that my time with HIM suffers.  Although I seem to be about the Lord’s work, it is still too heavy for me.  I have been quoted scripture that HIS grace is sufficient for me, and it always is…but not all things of GOD are for me or you to do.  HE must be part of the decision making process, and we are required to spend time with HIM.  HE is never the corner we cut to make ends meet.  Our time with HIM is vital to how the rest of the day will come together.

Key to this scripture is to take HIS yoke and learn from HIM…do we know that HE is gentle and humble in heart? This requires relationship, and relationships take time to grow, spending time with the other.  Just my thinking that this is why the yoke is so heavy at times..those times the relationship is lacking.

While visiting http://PracticalBibleTeaching.wordpress.com I came across a post.  In the spiritual realm, the only thing the enemy wants from a believer as he cannot take your salvation, is to damage your testimony, and to keep you from spending time with the Father. so that your relationship does not grow, and leaves you powerless against him. Why the latter? How strong is our testimony if not spending time with HIM.  Dale Hill has given me permission to post this. However I could not get it to transfer…LOL yes its that good! 

So go here to read SATANS MEETING..(READ EVEN IF YOUR BUSY) satan called a worldwide convention with demons. This post will jerk your mind, cause you to take another look and get back to where we are to be in Christ.  Its imperative to the abundant life you have been called to. No relationship, no power…we need to stop living in defeat…