Dear Student of the Word,
Even though Christmas is only a few days away, I hope you won't be taking a holiday from God's Word over these weeks. I am sending along the first installment from my study of Paul's letter to the Philippians, which just happens to be my favorite epistle. Here is one of the seven parts to this first study from Philippians 1:
Study One, Part Five
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
1:19 – This is quite an interesting perspective from a man in chains! I am reminded that God never delivers us from trouble, but delivers us out of or through our trouble. Many times I thought God came into my life to spare me trouble. He did not. In fact, trouble has taught me about God and His ability and power to save and deliver me. In the midst of his trials, Paul was hopeful and positive. Here is a man in the midst of trouble encouraging those who were not in trouble but concerned about him.
1:20 – Paul was not ignorant of the danger he was in, and alluded to the fact that his imprisonment could lead to his death. Paul’s interpretation of his deliverance wasn’t only a release from prison; he saw that his deliverance could have involved a release from this life! Yet he was upbeat and positive, trusting in God for the eventual outcome, whatever that was. Faith is no guarantee of the outcome that you choose or desire. It is complete trust that God will work out what’s best according to His intentions. There were others who faced death and tough times, and they knew that their outcome was in God’s hands.
“Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up’" (Daniel 3:16-18 emphasis added).
“Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few’” (1 Samuel 14:6 emphasis added).
“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face” (Job 13:15).
1:21 – Paul understood that death wasn’t the end for him; it was another beginning. Many people ask me if I am afraid to travel in these troubled times. My answer is always the same. I gave my life to Jesus 37 years ago. If He chooses to claim it in my bed or on the road, that is His business, not mine. Where He leads me, I will follow. I have talked to my family and told them that if I die on some trip, I will die a happy man, doing what it is that I love to do. Death isn’t the end!
“’Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).
1:22 – Paul didn’t just want to labor; he wanted to bear fruit. That should also be your goal, especially if you are a leader. And keep in mind, as we stated in the beginning, Paul singled out the Philippian leaders as he began his letter. Paul wanted to bear fruit and Jesus had the same desire for His disciples.
“He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15:2-8).
“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 15:16).
What is the fruit that you were created to produce? Do you know? For me, it is writing and “creating order out of chaos,” which is my life’s purpose. What is your purpose? How can you bear fruit if you don’t know what your purpose is?
As Paul stated, it’s your choice. You can choose to live a productive, fruitful life or a selfish, fearful one. I trust that you will choose fruit over fear.
As always, I welcome your comments to this week's study. For additional Bible studies, check out my website archive, which contains a complete collection of all my verse-by-verse New Testament studies, along with the unpublished volumes of The Faith Files.
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If these Bible studies have been a blessing to you this year, then please don't forget to express your thanks by helping with THE BIG GOAL during December to raise $10,000 toward feeding, housing and providing educational resources for Kenyan orphans and widows. I have received more than $1,600 so we are on our way! You can read about it here, and then give through this site using the Chipin widget or Paypal, or send a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Every penny goes right to the people in need with no overhead. At right is a picture of my wife last week in front of the Operation Chicken Coop shed where 500 chicks took up residence on December 16. She is pictured with five of the orphans and three of the orphanage founders, who are so excited about the help you are providing. God is helping us make a difference in one small part of the world. Thank you and God bless you as you remember the widows and orphans.
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