Today's Word is challenging. Read it prayerfully and examine yourself. The question today is Lord, am I in Your perfect will?
Philippians 1:12-18 NIV
12 Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,
Reading this passage instantly took me to Acts chapter 21 when a prophet by the name of Agabus came to Caesarea. Agabus prophesied of Paul's imprisonment and many then began to beg Paul not to travel to Jerusalem. Paul responded much the way he does here in Philippians, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus". In our reading today Paul is already in chains and is rejoicing because the Gospel of Christ is being preached even more now that he has been imprisoned. Paul, who said to always be content, is living what he wrote. He says the chains have not stopped him from preaching but actually encouraged him to preach all the more vigorously. Our persecutions today don't even come near to what the Apostles face. Our fear is not being accepted not being jailed, beaten, or even killed. Paul is demonstrating the selflessness of a Christian. Paul said it is our reasonable service to offer our whole self to God and he is doing just that in these scriptures. What respect he had with Christians and non-Christians alike. He mentions that even the palace guard is aware of why he is in chains and gloried because that made them aware of Christ. Paul was fulfilling the plan God had for his live, are we? How might we respond if God asked for our lives? Well, He has asked for our lives. He has ask us to die to self and live for Him and when we do, what joy we have! The passage mentioned in the book of Acts is below.
Acts 21:10-13 NIV
10 After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 Coming over to us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’ ”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
12 When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.13 Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Are you in the will and plan of God? You can live out your destiny. Let the Spirit lead and see what God can do with your life.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
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