Greetings in the Name of the Lord :)

May you come to the saving knowledge of the Holy One now and forever. May you experience His warmth and peace, no matter what you are facing! Amen!

Quiet Times (Psalm 52, Proverbs 22, Luke 12 and Philippians 1:13-14)

It is better to be held in loving esteem than having riches. (Proverbs 22)

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Philippians 1:12-14

"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."

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 powerful implications here for us today:

Your chains may not be shackles for spreading the Gospel, but you maybe ridiculed by your 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 dear friend, what is holding you prisoner right now?

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!

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. 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. Thank you Jesus for being my Lord and Personal Savior. Thank you Lord for hearing my prayer and answering me. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Love in Christ,

Ramesh