Hi everyone :)

Greetings on a Sunday morning :) May you find joy and warmth under the Son! Amen!

Devotional Times

(Psalm 142, Proverbs 12, Philippians 1:15-18)

Promise to claim:

"I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress." (Psalm 32:8)

The Lord wants to be your Instructor, your Guidance counselor, and your Advisor. He knows what you are going through. When you feel like your life has no direction, remember He who made the starry night also made you. You are special and precious in His sight. Claim the promises in Isa 43:1-6.

 Allow Him to be your Instructor and learn from Him.

Allow Him to be your Guidance counselor and turn to Him.

Allow Him to be your Advisor and yearn for Him!

He will show you the right pathway and watch your progress. Oh yes, He will! Know that you are loved by the Savior and He reaches out to you my friend. Whatever you are going to, come to Him. Rest in Him. He has your future in His hands. May you come to rest in the knowledge of theHoly One!

 Wisdom principle to live by:

 "It is better to get your hands dirty---and eat, than to be too proud to work---and starve." (Proverbs 12:9)

 It is important not to have pride when it comes to doing a job. If the Lord has opened a job for you or if you are currently doing a job, don't quit because you feel like that job is below your standards. Continue to do it faithfully and wait upon the Lord. When we do the little things the Lord gives us faithfully, He will bless us with bigger things. He wants His children to work hard. May you continue to work diligently in the place the Lord has put you in until new doors open up! May you rest in the Lord's awesome peace! Amen!

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Philippians 1:15-18

 "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they could stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."

Observations: (Look for comparisons and contrasts) (Look for effect-cause relationships)

1. Some preach Christ out of ENVY and RIVALARY but others out of GOODWILL.

2. Envy and Rivalry can be the effects of

SELFISH AMBITION, TROUBLE MAKING, and INSINCERITY

LOVE

It is interesting to know that the Gospel is not always preached with true motives :( People can have alternative agendas. This should not be the case. It is a shame to take the Gospel of Christ and use it to promote self-appraising agendas or others-depreciating agendas. We are not called to do that. We are called to be ministers of reconciliation. May we always preach the Gospel with true motives! Amen! May we always strive to promote love and goodwill.

 Paul realizes the power of the Gospel and rejoices. Paul is not interested in the 'who gets more converts' contests etc. His mind is on lost souls and is glad whoever preaches it. He rejoices because the Gospel is going out! That in itself is amazing and shows us the love Paul has for the Lord. Even in chains he is able to rejoice.

 God is never pleased with false motives. Presenting the Gospel is not a contest. It is something we are commissioned to do. It is important we do it and do it for God's honor and glory. May you come to always do what is right in the sight of God. As Christians, we need to beware that we are not pitting ourselves against each other. The most important thing is our motives.

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, thanks for this time. You are our Instructor, Guidance Counselor, and Advisor. Thank you Lord for teaching us a lot today. Help us to do what is right in your sight that you maybe honored and glorified. Thank you for being there for us. Help us to hide your Word in our hearts that we might not sin against thee. Thank you so much for Psalm 32 and the forgiveness you offer. Help us to swallow our pride in many areas of our lives and do what you want us to do. Let us not give into the ridicule of others. Thank you Lord. Hear us Oh Lord and answer us. Forgive us and may you be glorified through our actions. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us. In Your Name We Pray Jesus! Thank you Lord for everything! Lord, please test our motives and give us strength to do your will alone. May the meditations of our heart and the words of our mouth be pleasing to you Oh Lord our Rock and Redeemer. Thank you so much Jesus. Thank you for hearing us and answering us! Amen!

Love in Christ,

Ramesh