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My pastor is currently teaching out of Philippians, which as many of you here know is a book that is dear to my heart. I felt like sharing with you some of what I was reminded of today.
Phil 4:19-26
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance [Paul and Timothy are imprisoned as they write this] through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what shall I choose, I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
A little over two years ago, I was ready to take my own life. Every telephone pole, every cliff, every oncoming semi-truck was an opportunity that I was mustering the courage to use. But God yanked me back into His arms, and back into His peace, His rest, His Sabbath. And I no longer looked for opportunities to die.
For a time, though, as I was slowly rebuilding my faith and being washed in the Word, I still welcomed death. I did not seek it, but if a robber had come into the house and slit my throat, I would die peacefully and happily.
To die is gain. I was not necessarily hard-pressed, but I had a desire to depart and be with Christ. It was...it IS...better to die and be with Christ.
But Paul knows better. The church at Philippi needs him. The Macedonians need him. What God needs to give the Philippians, He will provide through Paul. Even through Paul's chains. How did the church at Philippi get started? Go back to Acts and read: Paul and Silas are imprisoned, and in their shackles, they praise God. And through His providence, God frees His servants, and proceeds to free the jailer! The church at Philippi starts with Paul's chains.
We're all subject to our own chains. We feel chained to a job that beats down on us. We're chained to family members that don't respect us, or our faith. We're chained to people who mistreat us, we're chained the burdens of parenthood, we're chained by so many things in this world...and in the end, Christ can still use those shackles for His glory, if you just let Him. Sing praises, HONESTLY, with no reservations, from your heart...while in your chains. It's not about what our chains do to us, but what our chains can do for HIM. And if we let Him, He'll use those chains for His glory, and set us all the more free as He does so.
To live is Christ! It is better to die...yet I live? Why didn't God find a way to take my life when I was more than happy to die? Why didn't He allow Paul to be executed for exorcising the fortune teller in Philippi? Because Christ must shine through our LIFE - He still has a purpose for us! If we're still here, despite our chains, then He NEEDS US HERE. Paul KNEW that God needed him there for the church at Philippi, still. And so many of you here, Zaoman, Gracie, Misty, Jules, Cristen, it's so clear why He still needs you here. He needs you to raise your Godly children.
What about the rest of us? Why is it God's will that we remain here, if it is all gain that we die, why aren't we dead?
Because He still has plans for you. He still has plans for your chains. Praise Him, in your chains of loneliness. Praise Him in your chains of pain. Praise Him in your chains of poverty. Praise Him in your chains of helplessness and confusion. Praise Him with all trust, faith, and honesty...and pray that He be glorified in all things that happen to you, and that His will...HIS WILL, not yours!...be fulfilled through you...and believe that His glory through your chains will be the very thing that sets you free.
He has a purpose for you STILL. To live...is to live for CHRIST.
Love you guys. Even the ones of you who annoy me. And the ones who I annoy.
Phil 4:19-26
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance [Paul and Timothy are imprisoned as they write this] through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what shall I choose, I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.
A little over two years ago, I was ready to take my own life. Every telephone pole, every cliff, every oncoming semi-truck was an opportunity that I was mustering the courage to use. But God yanked me back into His arms, and back into His peace, His rest, His Sabbath. And I no longer looked for opportunities to die.
For a time, though, as I was slowly rebuilding my faith and being washed in the Word, I still welcomed death. I did not seek it, but if a robber had come into the house and slit my throat, I would die peacefully and happily.
To die is gain. I was not necessarily hard-pressed, but I had a desire to depart and be with Christ. It was...it IS...better to die and be with Christ.
But Paul knows better. The church at Philippi needs him. The Macedonians need him. What God needs to give the Philippians, He will provide through Paul. Even through Paul's chains. How did the church at Philippi get started? Go back to Acts and read: Paul and Silas are imprisoned, and in their shackles, they praise God. And through His providence, God frees His servants, and proceeds to free the jailer! The church at Philippi starts with Paul's chains.
We're all subject to our own chains. We feel chained to a job that beats down on us. We're chained to family members that don't respect us, or our faith. We're chained to people who mistreat us, we're chained the burdens of parenthood, we're chained by so many things in this world...and in the end, Christ can still use those shackles for His glory, if you just let Him. Sing praises, HONESTLY, with no reservations, from your heart...while in your chains. It's not about what our chains do to us, but what our chains can do for HIM. And if we let Him, He'll use those chains for His glory, and set us all the more free as He does so.
To live is Christ! It is better to die...yet I live? Why didn't God find a way to take my life when I was more than happy to die? Why didn't He allow Paul to be executed for exorcising the fortune teller in Philippi? Because Christ must shine through our LIFE - He still has a purpose for us! If we're still here, despite our chains, then He NEEDS US HERE. Paul KNEW that God needed him there for the church at Philippi, still. And so many of you here, Zaoman, Gracie, Misty, Jules, Cristen, it's so clear why He still needs you here. He needs you to raise your Godly children.
What about the rest of us? Why is it God's will that we remain here, if it is all gain that we die, why aren't we dead?
Because He still has plans for you. He still has plans for your chains. Praise Him, in your chains of loneliness. Praise Him in your chains of pain. Praise Him in your chains of poverty. Praise Him in your chains of helplessness and confusion. Praise Him with all trust, faith, and honesty...and pray that He be glorified in all things that happen to you, and that His will...HIS WILL, not yours!...be fulfilled through you...and believe that His glory through your chains will be the very thing that sets you free.
He has a purpose for you STILL. To live...is to live for CHRIST.
Love you guys. Even the ones of you who annoy me. And the ones who I annoy.