Philippians 1:22-26
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows. 25 Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith. 26 And when I come to you again, you will have even more reason to take pride in Christ Jesus because of what he is doing through me.
22 But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. 23 I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 24 But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live.
If you've been a Christian for any length of time, you've probably thought about this question: Why didn't God just take us to heaven when we got saved? In this passage Paul states that Heaven is far better than Earth. This is one of those "No duh" type statements. Of course Heaven is better. So if we're better off there rather than here, why aren't we there?
The answer lies in Verse 24. Our lives are not about us. We're not here because God wants us to suffer, but because there are so many more people out there that He wants to save. So what are you doing to accomplish your goal here on Earth?
One quick note, I find it interesting that Paul says in verse 25 "I am convinced that I will remain alive." Without knowing the future, He knew that God was going to rescue Him, because his job on this planet wasn't yet accomplished. Interesting.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:19-20
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die.
*Sigh* It seems like about once a week I get an e-mail, see a blog or look at a bulletin on Myspace that tells some sort of sad story, and then tells me I'm not a "REAL" Christian if I don't forward this on to 20 other people, plus my life's gonna suck forever. Nothing like a little guilt to make you want to stand up proudly for Jesus, right? Please don't send me any of those chain letters, I don't like them and delete them as soon as they show up. So don't do it. Ever. This means you. ... ... Sorry, back to the devo:
Galatians says "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the POWER of God..." So why are we afraid to share the good news? We need to be bold in standing up for Him. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, and it probably won't make your life any better (in fact Paul was in prison), but you will change a life, and that's worth it.
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:12-14
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. 14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear.
Have you ever noticed that tragedy is a catalyst? Something about going through hard times makes people focus on what's really important, and it draws them back to God. I remember after the 9-11 attacks that rocked our nation (I know I'm dating myself) that there were many people who turned to God. Many churches experienced a 10-20% increase in attendance following those attacks, because people were searching for answers. You've noticed this in your own life, when your parents start fighting, or when you have a test coming up in school, you pick those moments to cry out to God.
News of Paul being in prison got around. People looked to him as a pillar of the faith, and now he was being taken away. I'm sure this drove people to their knees, and when they were down there God spoke to them about people that they needed to be witnessing to. What the enemy meant for evil (removing Paul), God turned around for good (now there were many people talking about Christ). And this hadn't stopped Paul either, he was witnessing to everyone he had contact with. So the gospel was actually moving forward because of his chains. That's pretty amazing.
When you're going through hard times, do you expect God to turn it around for his glory?
-Jeff-
Matthew 5:14-15 The Beatitudes
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Have you ever hidden under your covers at night to read a book? I know I'm weird, and I may be the only one, but I can distinctly remember trying to convince my parents that I was sleeping, all the while slipping under my blankets with a flashlight. I was hiding because I didn't want my parents to know that I wasn't sleeping. Why do we hide as Christians? God has placed His light inside of us! God has allowed us to shine His light, and yet we try to cover it up.
Peak your head out from your bed and let your light shine a little today.
-Jeff-
Matthew 5:13 The Beatitudes
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
In the French fry of life, are you the potato or the salt? I'm afraid that too many of us try too hard to fit in, and therefore lose all effectiveness. God has called us to stand out from the world, and to provide flavor for it. If you've ever had a french fry without salt you know exactly what I'm talking about! But there's another thing that I hate even more than a bland french fry, and that's when you go to McDonalds and get the cold fries from the bottom of the tray, when every employee has walked by and thrown salt on it! I can feel it in the back of my throat right now! Ugh.
We need to be different enough to provide flavor for the world, but not so different that we're just obnoxious!
-Jeff-
Matthew 5:10-12 The Beatitudes
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Recently I was driving around town and happened to see a guy dressed as the statue of liberty selling something, auto insurance I think. What possesses someone to do that? First off, why do companies think this is a good idea? I think the reasoning is that if they humiliate one of their employees long enough, people will take pity on that person and go buy something from their store. And let's be serious now, don't you feel a little bad for them? I mean, I spent so much time feeling bad that I can't even remember what he was selling!
Obviously this person is doing this because he lost a bet of some sort. Or maybe for a paycheck, but if that's true it better be a good one.
My point is, what does the reward need to be in order for you to humiliate yourself? If I gave you a million dollars, would you tell people about Jesus? What about $10,000? $1,000? What about if I gave you Heaven? Would that be enough to endure persecution? Something to think about.
-Jeff-
James 5: 19-20
19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James closes his book with one last thought. In these two verses he sums up our responsibility as Christians, followers of Christ. So how do we save someone? What does it mean to wander from the truth? James is saying that if you or one of your friends is starting to move away from God, you need to talk with them about it. If one of your friends was about to walk in front of a bus, you'd do whatever you could to get their attention. Yet too often we let people who we call our friends run away from God and just shrug our shoulders as they go.
Is there someone in your life who needs some correction?
-Jeff-
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