Scripture:
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment for the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Observation: Paul is in prison as he writes because he has been preaching the gospel. His imprisonment has provided an opportunity for the gospel to be spread even further, even among the roman guards. Paul's imprisonment emboldened other believers to share God's word- to share without fear. Application: While I do not think I need to fear being imprisoned or killed for sharing the word of God in the USA, I do see some challenges to consider in these verses. God does not seem to do things in the conventional way. It strikes me as funny this morning, that here I am saying it is God who is not conventional, the One who created us in His image, I expect Him to conform to mine. Crazy when I think about it like that! What amazes me in this passage from Philippians is the reaction of other believers. Instead of growing more fearful now that Paul has been arrested they are more courageous than ever. Now remember, Paul is not serving out a sentence here, he is awaiting news of whether he will be set free or put to death. If my pastor were arrested today and facing that same fate I am pretty sure it would shake me up a good bit and make me think twice about sharing God's word with anyone else. I am pretty sure I would not go running out to passersby proclaiming the gospel and its power to save. I may even stop writing this Bible study for fear that they might target me next. The response of the believer's in Paul's day I can only attribute to the work of the Holy Spirit, and that actually gives me hope. That same Spirit is at work in my life. Can it be that I too would gain more courage to speak the word of God without fear? And shouldn't that be happening right now anyway? Prayer: Father God, I simply ask that You free me from anything that is holding me back, from keeping me from being the woman You created me to be. Give me more courage to share Your word without fear. Grace and peace, Deb
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Scripture: Philippians 1 9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10) so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (all Scripture taken from the NASB unless otherwise noted) Observations: Paul know's how to pray for people. Once again he points us towards the "day of Christ." That which I have obtained through Jesus is to the glory and praise of God. Application: The most obvious application is to use Paul's prayer for the Philippian church as a model for how to pray for myself and others within the faith. I want to take a closer look at what his prayer includes. "That your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment." I get a picture of love overflowing, pouring out of this vessel that is me because it just cannot be contained within my limits. A love that leads me learn even more about Jesus and to grasp and comprehend that which is is not obvious. This is not a love that follows blindly after Jesus, but one that desires to know Him more, to learn everything I can about Him, about what His will and desires are; about the way, the truth, and the life that He embodies. When my love for the Lord leads me into that kind of knowledge I understand right from wrong, I make choices based upon what I know of how Jesus would have me live- a most excellent way of life. That kind of love, keeps my feet from stumbling. I look at the world and the people I meet each day in a different light. I know to turn the other cheek, to guard my words, to avoid those things which would bring dishonor to God, to be gentle and kind and loving, to be a peacemaker, and merciful, forgiving others even as God through Christ has forgiven me. To be patient, to put away all strife, envy, falsehood. "To be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ." Each day I should be making progress and it should be evident. When the day of Christ comes, when I am brought into His wonderful presence, I so long to hear, "Well done thou good and faithful servant." Paul's letter encourages me that in following this pattern I will bring glory and praise to God throughout my life, not because I am perfect now, but because He is doing a good work in me, and I am eager to learn. Prayer: While this was Paul's prayer for the Philippians I am making it my own today, for me to love and learn and grow. I also have what I call a prayer plan- on specific days of the week I pray for specific things- this is one I come back to when I pray for my local church every time I read Philippians but while I am doing this study I will keep continue to pray this prayer for the church each week. In fact, I think I will get out one of my white-board markers and copy it onto my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder. Grace and Peace, Deb |
AuthorI am a woman with a Mary heart and these are my musings as I read and study God's Word Join me on facebookArchives
October 2014
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