EXPRESSIONS

"For Answers In The Heaven!" (F.A.I.T.H)

Ramesh C. Reddy
Editor in Chief

“Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)

“But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:17-18)

 Observations:

What stuck out to me immediately is “being poured out like a drink offering”.

 Interpretation:

I asked myself what could being ‘poured out like a drink offering’ mean?

What came to my mind is maybe he was referring to his blood being spilled if it comes to that. Even if that happens he is glad and rejoices with all of them because of the sacrifice and service coming from their faith.

That is so amazing when we know that he is shackled in chains and yet is focused on other people to exhort them and encourage them to live out their faith for Christ. As they do that, for him it is worth it even if he dies in the process. Wow, what love for the Lord being exhibited in other people’s lives.

A lot of people were sad that Paul was a prisoner and could not continue his preaching directly and Paul knows that. Even in this situation he wants them to be glad and rejoice with him if they are living out their faith.

This is evidenced by v.16 where Paul asks them to shine out like stars in the universe as they hold the word of life. This is based extensively on yesterday's devotional called B.E.H.A.V.I.O.R

 In the process, he can boast that his labor and toil for the Gospel was not in vain because he has seen changed lives. Now since lives are changed, he wants them to rejoice in that fact rather than be sorrowful that Paul could not be with that at that time.

I see Paul being so joyful amidst his circumstances and living out his faith where he is at and wanting the Philippians to do the same.

 Application:

I saw important implications for my own life here.

 1.      I should live out my faith.

2.      I should be focused more on others than myself alone.

3.      I should be joyful and thankful for the good things that are happening even when surrounded by adversity.

I ask you now dear friends, when do you live out your faith?

Dear friends, if our faith is lived out among our Christian friends it is not anything great. I am reminded of Jesus telling the crowds that loving people who love us back is not anything great for even the heathen do that but loving those who do not love us back is commendable. It is easier to live out our faith among our brothers and sisters in the Lord more than among our non-Christian friends because they may have the same biblical attitude and compromise seems easy. On the contrary, our non-Christian friends may not see things eye to eye with us and this could cause conflict.

When that happens we can continue to ignore our own conscience and go along with what they want rather than holding on to the principles of living out our faith just so we don’t lose the fun. Because if we decide to follow our conscience, it could also mean that living out our faith could sever friendships we have had in the past because our way of living is for the Lord and not unto man.

 I don’t know if you were ever faced with a situation like that but my friend was. She was dating and sleeping with her boyfriend for sometime. One day she became a Christian and knew what she was doing was wrong. She also knew that being yoked with an unbeliever would not work out in the long run. Plus, she wanted to marry someone who is also a Christian and start over. Her boyfriend did not want to have anything to do with Christ. My friend in pain and tears broke of her relationship with her boyfriend for the sake of her love for Jesus Christ. She would even tell me that she seemed to be happy when she was with him than now but she has the joy of the Lord inside compared to then. She made a sacrifice to live out her faith and knew it would be worth it in the long run.

 Friend, it is never easy to serve the Lord Jesus. Look at Paul, it was not easy for him and yet he stood his ground because He knew Jesus Christ is worth the pain that he was going through. He believed in Jesus to be the Lord and that one day every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. He decided to live for the Lord.

 Won’t you friend?

 As you seek to know the Lord more and more, He will permeate your heart with His awesome love and joy. You will experience His presence and fellowship more and more as you yield to Him and let Him be in control of your life without holding anything back!

 No matter where you are placed, may you make a sacrifice if it comes to that to live out your faith for the Lord as you put Him first place in your life! May you know how much Jesus will help you from Heaven to point you in the right direction!

"For Answers In The Heaven!" (F.A.I.T.H)

 Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for the impact that you have made in Paul’s life! Jesus, thank you for loving us and dying for our sin! Thank you for coming back to life to save us and being our all and all! You are our Redeemer holding us in your arms of love. You know the struggles we face Lord and the peer pressure of this world that makes it difficult to live out our faith for you. We cannot on our own and need your help. It can be hard to sacrifice things to totally serve you. We cannot on our own whether it be in relationships, academics, careers, etc without your indwelling presence and supernatural help. So, Lord please come and help your children that we may serve you faithfully. We desire to live out our faith for you and need your help. Thank you for the joy that comes from knowing you. I pray this joy won’t be counterfeit but real. Thank you for the impact you have made in our own lives when we gave ourselves to you! Thank you Lord you will come and help. Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!

Love in Christ,
Ramesh

P.S. Check out the Zany Crossword puzzle I created for you all.
It is interactive which means you can solve it online.

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