My Deliverance
…for I know that through your prayers and the help
of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance. It is my
eager expectation and hope that I will not be put to shame in any way, but that
by my speaking with all boldness, Christ will be exalted now as always in my
body, whether by life or by death. For to me, living in Christ and dying is
gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me; and I do
not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to
depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh
is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will
remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that
I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you
again.
Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the
gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and heard
about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side
by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimated
by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their
destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has
graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of
suffering for him as well – since you are having the same struggle that you saw
I had and now hear that I still have.
Philippians
1:19-30
It is not enough to preach the gospel or live for
the gospel. It is necessary to suffer for the gospel. Living for Christ exacts
a price. Paul asked us to suffer for His sake. His statement is daily lived out
by believers around the world who experience hardship and persecution for no
greater crime than living openly for the name of Jesus.
Pray for God’s blessing and provision for our
brothers and sisters in Christ who are paying an expensive price for embracing
a salvation that is free. Those who live for God can expect trouble in the
world.
Our Daily Bread –