Daily Devotions

Phil 1:12-21 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

What is the ultimate plan and purpose of God in the life of the believer in Christ? Many spend a life trying to figure that out, but the answer is found in our text in verse 12, the furtherance of the gospel. God would rule in our lives as Christians, guide, direct, provide and protect that we might be used of Him in the furtherance of the gospel. Failure to see that can cause a great deal of disappointment and discouragement in the life of the Christian. The things that happened in the life of Paul are many and the trials would crush most people, yet Paul found joy in the Lord. The reason being that Paul realized the pan and purpose of God, that it was the furtherance of the gospel. If Paul could be used in that plan and purpose in any way it brought him great joy, for Paul to live was Christ. What of us? Do we complain and grumble about every little things that does no go our way, are we made bitter by trials, do we fight against God? We need to realize what God wants to use us to do and why. When we do that we can find the peace that often seems to elude us and the true joy of the Lord.

This entry was posted on Friday, May 17th, 2013 at 6:05 am and is filed under Daily Devotions. You can skip to the end and leave a response.