Deliverance

SCRIPTURE

Philippians 1:18b-26 (NRSV)
Paul rejoices though imprisoned

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 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 is 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.


DEVOTION

Recently I’ve been meditating on all of the difficult circumstances that God has brought me through.

It put me in the mind of the song “I Won’t Complain” by Rev. Paul Jones. In his lyrics he writes, “I've had some good days. I've had some hills to climb. I've had some weary days and some sleepless nights. But when I look around and I think things over--all of my good days outweigh my bad days, I won't complain.”

Although this song was penned a long time after Paul’s death, Paul must have been singing a similar refrain as he languished in prison on account of his faith. Rather than complaining, Paul boldly declared, “For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

That’s a bold statement, isn’t it?

Although most of us are not facing trials or tribulations that are unto death, there are many times that we do feel hard pressed by life. I don’t know about you, but there have been some nights where tears have drenched my pillow and pain and grief have threatened to overwhelm me.

It is at times like these that we must remember that Paul said, “I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”

Hallelujah!

No matter what we are going through, we know that our God is mighty to save and a great deliverer.

In this season of Advent, we are daily reminded of this great Truth, for God saved us from the biggest, baddest, bully of all--SIN.

By allowing Love to give Jesus one Christmas morn, events were put into motion that led to the greatest salvation story of all time.

This story, summed up in a nutshell is, “Christ has died! Christ has risen! Christ shall come again!”

Because Jesus died on the cross, we are saved from our sin and gifted with eternal life. And because we have experienced this salvation, we look forward to the second coming of Christ and the establishment of a new heaven and earth!

Advent is a season of waiting, hoping, expecting, and repenting as Christians remember the first coming of Jesus on Christmas morn in a manger and look forward to the second coming of Jesus from the clouds and in great glory!

No matter what we are going through, when we have a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, we know how all of our stories will end.

And s/he lived happily ever after…The End.

Now, ain’ta that good news?!


Please pray with me:

Holy God, even in this Advent season when there is great joy all around me, I have to admit that I am worried about so many things. Today, I turn all of my fear and anxiety over to you. I know that you are mighty to save and that you proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt when you gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life, then resurrected him on the third day in glory. Please forgive me of my sin and fill me with the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit of CHRISTmas infect my very soul so that I will be compelled to share your good news with everyone I meet! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.



SPECIAL NOTE

If you just prayed that prayer for the first time, today, you are saved! Let me encourage you to tell a Christian friend that you just put all of your hope in Jesus. Ask him or her to help you find a Bible that is easy for you to understand and to find a good Bible believing church where you can be baptized and make new friends who will walk with you on your Christian journey!

I would be honored if you would let me know about your decision today by clicking "YES" in the poll located in the upper-right hand corner of the good news blog in answer to the question, "Did God save you today?"

Congratulations and Happy Re-birthday! Your salvation is our GOOD NEWS, please go and share the GOOD NEWS with others!