"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me." (Philippians 1:29-30)
In nothing, the scripture states, are we to be terrified by our adversaries -- "which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." (Philippians 1:28)
Jesus warned us by saying that this faith journey would not be easy, and that there would be persecution against those who love the Lord. Indeed, Jesus said that they will hate believers because these same hated Him first. Our response is to rejoice in the trials and tribulations of life, knowing that in all things, the Lord Jesus will be victorious, and that all things that happen will be for His glory.
Therefore, if there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, letting nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Thus, become a flow through for the Lord Jesus in everything we do in both word or deed.
Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians expresses it this way -- "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:4-8)
The Lord God Almighty came forth as a mighty man so that we could experience salvation. O, how He must have grieved from the very beginning knowing that the cross had to be endured. Still, His willingness to come into this world and dwell among us so that we could behold His glory is evidenced for all those who want to understand the greatest love story ever shared. His love for us -- His beloved creation -- beyond measure. His love for us in abundance, and to prove His love, the rain for example falls on both those who are good and evil. He is not a respecter of persons.
This is why believers can count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, for whom we have (and will) suffer the loss of things, but when we are faithfully found in Him, not having our own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, we can know Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Philippians 3:7-10)
Thus, let us therefore stand fast in the Lord, and rejoice in the Lord always. And let the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus -- giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, in whom we have redemption through His blood -- the forgiveness of sins.
His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
As for the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things, be assured that we have no reason to fear, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Why? Because our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.
Jesus -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Stand in the offering plate.
In nothing, the scripture states, are we to be terrified by our adversaries -- "which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God." (Philippians 1:28)
Jesus warned us by saying that this faith journey would not be easy, and that there would be persecution against those who love the Lord. Indeed, Jesus said that they will hate believers because these same hated Him first. Our response is to rejoice in the trials and tribulations of life, knowing that in all things, the Lord Jesus will be victorious, and that all things that happen will be for His glory.
Therefore, if there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind, letting nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness of mind, let each esteem other better than themselves. Thus, become a flow through for the Lord Jesus in everything we do in both word or deed.
Paul, in his epistle to the Philippians expresses it this way -- "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:4-8)
The Lord God Almighty came forth as a mighty man so that we could experience salvation. O, how He must have grieved from the very beginning knowing that the cross had to be endured. Still, His willingness to come into this world and dwell among us so that we could behold His glory is evidenced for all those who want to understand the greatest love story ever shared. His love for us -- His beloved creation -- beyond measure. His love for us in abundance, and to prove His love, the rain for example falls on both those who are good and evil. He is not a respecter of persons.
This is why believers can count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus our Lord, for whom we have (and will) suffer the loss of things, but when we are faithfully found in Him, not having our own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, we can know Him -- our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. (Philippians 3:7-10)
Thus, let us therefore stand fast in the Lord, and rejoice in the Lord always. And let the peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus -- giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, in whom we have redemption through His blood -- the forgiveness of sins.
His Name is JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.
As for the enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things, be assured that we have no reason to fear, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Why? Because our conversation is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.
Jesus -- Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Stand in the offering plate.
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