SCRIPTURE:

"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (Philippians 1:19)

EXPOSITION:

Paul writes three things concerning himself:

1. I will continue to rejoice.

2. I know through your prayers what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

3. I know through the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

 Interpretations/Applications:

I asked myself what is the significance of Paul continuing to rejoice? 

It was that much more important for me to know that because Paul was in jail and continued to rejoice. Knowing Paul was in jail, shackled with chains, and he was still able to rejoice makes me want to have a deeper personal relationship with Christ, he always talks about. I do not know about you but Paul's rejoicing reveals to me more about Christ than Paul's own character. Christ means a lot to Paul that chains nor people's tactics stop him from rejoicing. The reason he rejoices is because Christ is being preached.

Again seeing Paul's reaction and attitude just makes me want to know more and more about Jesus! Paul rejoices also because he has faith that whatever is happening to him will turn out for his deliverance.

I do not know what you are going through. You may feel like you are trapped and everything that can go wrong seems to go wrong. No matter what you are going through, deliverance is at hand. Rather than focusing on your infirmities focus upon Christ who will give you the strength and endurance through these infirmities and bring deliverance your way in His perfect timing!

I also thought about Paul mentioning the aspect of prayer and it's significance.

I do not believe prayer alone can bring deliverance in people's lives if the prayer is directed in the wrong direction. People could believe in idols and pray to them without praying to the Lord of the Bible and they could just get a wrong number without getting the answer from the Lord, our God. It is interesting that Paul's letter has a conjunction: 'for I know through your prayers AND the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance'. We need to realize that we need the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ for our deliverance when we pray.

Finally what came to my mind was intercessory prayer.

Paul is expecting his brothers and sisters to pray for him. He does not deal with his afflictions alone, thinking he will just pray for himself, but realizes the importance of intercessory prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit.

Please do not be a lone ranger whatever you are facing. Bring them to the Lord in prayer and ask others to pray for you. As Christ intercedes on our behalf before the Father, let us intercede on the behalf of others before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I ASK YOU:

I ask you now dear friends, who do you often call?
Dear friend, you may spend most of your time calling your boy/girl friend, friends, parents, etc. In the process, you may overlook the most important One to call often. It is good to call others we love but what about the One who loves you so much that He went to the cross as nails of three pierced His broken body so you can be set free. Jesus is His Name and He came to deliver you and me from the flame. Now, He wants to give us a new Aim.

Is that not exciting? It is exciting for me! Jesus waits for your call often for He loves you and wants to help you. Why don't you talk to Him? It is not hard; just speak to Him as a friend. For He will be the best friend you can ever have.

Are you in pain? Is your heart growing faint?  Is trouble all around you? Are you confused about your life?

The Lord wants to be your refuge and tower. Why don't you give Him a call now? Yes, friend! He waits to hear from you. Oh yes, even as I write this, He waits to hear from you. He waits to hear from us all. There is no hassle with phone cards, telephone bills, quarters, etc. You can make a direct call to Heaven and it will reach our Savior. You have a direct line to God and you can access that line 24 hrs a day, seven days a week. The number you have to dial is PRAYER. You can talk to the Lord as long as you want. Speak to the Lord about all of your concerns. Lay them before our Father in Heaven who waits in anticipation that we do talk to Him about requests or life in general. He created you and everything around you.

"And how happy I was with what he created---his wide world and all his family of mankind!" (Proverbs 8:31)

Christ Awaits, Listens Lovingly! (C.A.L.L)

PRAYER:

To get you started, make this your prayer:

"Hear my cry, Oh God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:1-4)

Dear Jesus, I want to thank you so much that we can talk to you anytime and any place. You are always there for us. It means a lot to me Jesus that you don't hang up on us or say that you are too busy. But, you actually actively listen to whatever we tell you. Even if we keep talking, you listen. Oh Lord, you listened to the Psalmist in Psalm 119 and that is a pretty long prayer. Thank you whether our talking to you is considered short or long, you are there. You know the things we are going through Lord and we ask you for your deliverance. I pray for the one right now Lord who is so confused about how things are going. You know Lord the situation that person is faced with. You know the pain they are in. Come Lord Jesus and please bring your deliverance and healing in that person's life. Hear us Oh Lord and please answer us for the glory and honor of your Name. Thank you for being our refuge and a strong tower against the foe. I love you Jesus. Help me to show my love to you the way I live my life. I thank you Savior. Thank you for dying for my sins and coming back to life to save me. I give myself to you and ask you to use me and lead me for your glory. Whatever your will is Oh Lord give us the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!