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January 08, 2010
Philippians 1:19-21
19 For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.
Paul’s Life for Christ

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.

21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better

Philippians 1:19-21 (NLT)



You have to love Paul’s confidence in what God was doing. Even in the midst of the chains and imprisonment, Paul seemed to turn everything that was negative into something that God was going to work for good.


He tells the Philippians that as they pray for him and the Spirit of God helps him, it will all work for his deliverance.

But this isn’t just some “keep your chin up” kind of optimism. Paul is fully aware of the potential outcome of his situation. Nero, the Roman Emperor at that time, was determined to get rid of Christianity and was more than eager to execute anyone who dared to stand up for Jesus. So, Paul is making these statements from a Roman prison, with his execution looming ahead of him. Not exactly what we’d call desirable circumstances.

And yet, Paul talks about his deliverance. Did Paul expect another miraculous escape like he experienced with his missionary partner, Silas? (Acts 16:19-34) Maybe, but we get a hint in the next verse that Paul had a completely different kind of deliverance in mind.

You can sense that Paul knew darker days lie ahead because he expresses his desire that he is able to continue his boldness for Jesus in spite of the pressure, possible torture, and impending execution that awaited him. Just let that sink in for a minute.

We’re not talking about Paul having a bad day or having people call him mean names. We’re looking at the absolutely worst situation in which a person could be. But instead of being loaded down with the emotion of the moment, Paul almost seems to be calculating the outcomes. It’s as if he’s drawn up a “Pro’s” and “Con’s” spreadsheet and he’s talking about how life would compare with death. He comes to the matter-of-fact conclusion that if he lives, he has additional opportunity to live for Christ, but if he dies, he gets to experience all that Heaven has in store for him. Now that's a win-win situation.

I am trying to imagine what would happen in my own life if I approached my life this way. If I took every opportunity I have to live for Christ, and was unafraid of any outcome, even the worst outcomes, I bet I would be much more bold for the cause of Jesus Christ. Maybe even unstoppable.

 

A Thankful Thought

I am thankful for living in the greatest country God ever gave to man. We are allowed to speak the name of Christ, worship Christ, and give thanks to Christ in any manner we see fit. There are many countries in the world you're not even allowed to speak the name of Christ. Beyond that we are allowed to attend the church of our choosing to recieve encouragement on our journey here on earth to further the Kingdom of God. We are allowed to pass on the good message of his saving grace. As our purpose says we can help people make an eternal connection with Christ that can change families' lives exponentially in America.

A NewSpring Staff Member


Your Comments

1

Kerry Stine | January 08, 2010 at 10.31 am

Last night as I was driving home from Lawrence, KS, I was thinking how great it will be to leave this world.  My Starting Point group is covering brokenness(the fall) this week.  I was thinking how great it will be to not be broken any more. Also the opportunity to be with friends and family who are believers that I did not relate with very well. To be together with them and all of us not be broken anymore.  How great that will be.

2

RS | January 08, 2010 at 10.38 am

I really like how Paul addresses the “down to the bone reality” of his situation. He is not dismayed but rather confident of what lies ahead of him. I noticed a contrast with Psalms 116:
I love the Lord because he hears my voice
    and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath!
3 Death wrapped its ropes around me;
    the terrors of the grave overtook me.
    I saw only trouble and sorrow.


8 He has saved me from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling.
9 And so I walk in the Lord’s presence
    as I live here on earth!

16 O Lord, I am your servant;
    yes, I am your servant, born into your household;
    you have freed me from my chains.
17 I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving
    and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people . . .

What confidence and passion to serve a living God!!!

3

Amber | January 08, 2010 at 12.10 pm

I am so very grateful for the last three days of this blog. It has really forced me to shift my focus away from my the pit I’m wallowing in and to the purpose for the pit in the first place. It has made me step back and evaluate God’s unfailing love for me, knowing He will work for the good in all things for those who love Him…and boy, do I love Him! The last three days have reminded me I am here for His purpose, NOT my own!

4

Mercedes | January 08, 2010 at 01.38 pm

The Lord He is an awesome God and I am very blessed to have Him in my life, too praise him and thanks him day-in and day-out. I thank him for not giving me what I deserve!!! Well since Mark had us start doing the 4 things for the month of January, and reading and blogging on Philippians. . . .my life has taken a powerful turn. . .somewhat scaring me, but in the same sense leaving me in awe. I have let go and allowed God to take the steering wheel of this ride I call “MY LIFE” but each day I find out that I have another situation that causes me to realize I need to let Him to more. I read the Bible more today then I ever have. I am grateful

5

Kathy | January 08, 2010 at 01.40 pm

Whoever decided to have this blog, thanks! In a short time I have been blessed by the Word, and the comments.  I don’t read the Message very often, but recently saw this: Matt.5:3 - You are blessed when you are at the end of your rope.  With less of you there is more of God and His rule. Ever since I read it, I have felt like that discribes me; at the end of my rope. This blog every day helps be see the second part, less of me and more of Him!

6

Rachel | January 08, 2010 at 02.58 pm

I am a list making kind of person. And who doesn’t love “WIN-WIN!!” Sometimes I think about ways we could be more helpful in our community, but often we feel discouraged. If we look at each situation and said no matter what happened God is in control, think of the difference we all could make!! Paul had astounding trust in Jesus! We should trust in Him that much too!!

7

Lisa | January 08, 2010 at 05.10 pm

Today’s news on the churches that were bombed in Malaysia really made me think. What does it really mean to say, “to live is Christ, to die is even better”, does that mean you get up and go to church even after it is firebombed, and you know there are people who seek to take your life, just because you profess Jesus Christ?
Yes!
As a small child I remember going to church early to clear the garbage off the steps with my dad, because people in our community didn’t want our church there. I remember sifting rubble after they burned that same church because we had a racially mixed congregation. My folks never let go of their faith. Their perserverance allowed me to experience first hand God’s unfailing faithfulness.
Paul reminds us today that no matter how it works out, how pleasant or unpleasant it may be, we should hope to come through our trials in a way that honors our Lord. Our hope is in the Lord. We need to depend on His strength. Then we can grow stronger is our faith everyday. Until like Paul we can say to live through this present crisis is another chance to serve our King, to die is better for we shall be in His presence forever.


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