SCRIPTURE:
"Now I want
you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance
the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard
and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most
of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more
courageously and fearlessly." (Philippians 1:12-14)
I
LEARNED:
I learned that Paul is bold to say that 'he is in chains for
Christ'. There seems to be no regrets. If anything there is a sense of
satisfaction that even though he is in chains, it has actually helped to advance
the gospel. Even in his suffering, he proclaimed Christ. His proclamation came
through "chains for Christ." It became evident not only to the whole palace
guard but to everyone.
He reminds the Philippians that his chains have actually helped
the spread of the Gospel and helped Christians become stronger in their faith by
giving evidence:
"Because of my
chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word
of God more courageously and fearlessly."
Good for
Paul, but what does it have to do with me?
There are important implications for our own lives here:
Our chains may not be shackles for spreading the Gospel, but they
maybe ridicule by our peers for believing in Christ and wanting to advance His
Kingdom.
What are
you going to do? Will you give in, to avoid the rejection of your peers or head
straight forward?
What about
your professors? Do you just take in what they give you in class and not
challenge them when they say something against the Christian faith?
Just as Paul's faith was known throughout the palace guard and
elsewhere, let your faith be known. Do not shy away from defending the Lord you
love, if a peer or professor ridicules your Savior.
"Because the
Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face
like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame." (Isaiah 50:7)
Maybe the chains have nothing to do with persecution for the sake
of the Gospel, but they could be things that are binding you and holding you
prisoner.
I ASK
YOU NOW:
I ask you
now dear friend, what are the chains that have captivated you right now?
I do not know what you are facing and what is holding you
prisoner right now. It could be anything but there is Good News friend. Yes,
there is!
You do not have to face it alone. Jesus loves you so much and
wants you to yield to Him. He wants you to come to Him as you are realizing your
own shortcomings and lay them in the Hands of the Savior. Allow Him to work in
your life. This cannot happen unless you are willing to surrender your life to
Him completely. There should not be any holding back.
Paul surrendered his life to Christ and even chains could not
stop the joy he had or the advancement of the Gospel. In the same way, when we
have Christ in our lives, whatever we maybe facing as Christians, we won't have
to face it alone. His grace and mercy will be showered upon us!
May you experience His love and grace in your life now and
forever! Amen!
Chained? Healing Answer Is Now Savior! (C.H.A.I.N.S)
PRAYER:
Prayer: Dear
Lord Jesus, you alone know the chains that bind us. You know the past that
haunts us preventing us from enjoying the present you have given us as a gift.
Help us Oh Lord to seek you always diligently. Forgive us when we do not do your
will and when we go our own way. You alone have the pathway to life. Thank you
Lord, anytime we mess up and confess our sins to you, you are faithful and just
to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I thank you Lord that
we do not have to be perfect to come to you. We do not have to have all the
answers. Even as the worst sinners we can come and you will start your
transformation in our lives and finish the work you begin in us. I thank you
Jesus for coming into my heart and making my heart your home. Thank you for
living in me and I will live for you and I will serve you, the rest of the days
of my life. I thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Personal Savior. I thank you
Lord for hearing my prayer and answering me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
