Are you bearing Fruit!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Todd Stewart

On Sunday morning, I called my family into the living room for a time of teaching and discussion based on God’s word.

I pointed out the window referring to a tree in our backyard that has two large branches that have not budded leaves this year.

“What do you think those branches in that tree are good for?”, I asked. My son Lane quickly responded, “firewood”. “Exactly! If you don’t want to wind up like those branches, you need to pay attention to what God’s word has to say today,” I exclaimed.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:1-2

1) Jesus is the True Vine. 2) God the Father in the vinedresser. 3) We are the branches.

Fruit’s of the Spirit – Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control. The ultimate Fruit in our lives is witnessed when others come to Jesus through our daily witness. Yes, when people get saved, the angels rejoice!

Truth

1) God takes away those who do not bear fruit. They are removed from God’s presence. They are cut off.

2) God prunes those who bear fruit, so that they may produce even more fruit.

3) Pruning is a good thing.

4) If you are going through difficulties and clinging to Jesus, know that God is removing dead weight from your life. He is pruning you. Know that God is growing you and making you more like Him. He is building your character, so that you will bear even more fruit for the Kingdom. Don’t miss the opportunity to grow during times of pruning.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Truth

1) If you abide in Jesus, you will bear much fruit.

2) Jesus is The Vine. He is the One who provides us with living water that enables us to produce much fruit.

3) Apart from abiding in Jesus, we can do nothing. We are rendered useless for the Kingdom.

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”

Truth

1) If we go our own way and do not abide in Jesus, we will wither up and die.

2) If we reject the True Vine (Jesus) by going our own way and do not abide in Him, we will be thrown into the fire.

3) If we reject the True Vine (Jesus) by going our own way and do not abide in Him, we are useless to God.

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” John 15: 7-8

Truth

1) If we abide in Christ Jesus by receiving His living word, our will is aligned with God’s will and our prayers will be answered.

2) If we abide in Christ Jesus, we bring Glory to God The Father by bearing much fruit.

3) If we abide in Christ Jesus by receiving and obeying His words, we prove to be His disciples.

Are you bearing Fruit?

Are the fruits of the Spirit evident in your attitudes at home, Church and place of business? Are you allowing God to use you as a witness to win people for the Kingdom? If not, you need to do some serious soul searching. Could you be like the two branches perched atop the trunk of the tree in my backyard that are clearly dead and ready to be blown off with the slightest gust of wind?

Are the following attitudes evident in your life?

Reality Check

The world is full of people who claim to be Christians, but there is little to no evidence of Fruit in their lives. This passage opens our eyes to the truth that there are dead branches amongst us that will be cut off, thrown away and burned up.

We also know based on the scriptures that many will be surprised when Jesus renders the words, “away from me, I never knew you”. Yes, at the judgement, there will be many who think they will be saved by good works and church attendance.

Reality is that many people name the name of Christ, but live a life unto themselves. The lusts of the world are prioritized over God’s word and prayer. What a sad day that will be when the dead branches are gathered up and thrown away! You can’t serve two masters. Choose this day whom you will serve.

Good News:

We do not have to work harder in order to bear fruit. We simply must abide in God’s living word and spend time in prayer at the feet of Jesus. Our ultimate fulfillment in life is found through abiding in Christ Jesus! He is our fountain of Living Water that wells up unto eternal life!

If you Love Me, you will obey my commands.

God calls us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him in obedience to His commands. He calls us to (abide) in the Living Vine (Jesus). When we abide, we experience the joy of producing eternal fruit and bringing Glory to God. Yes, our Joy is “made full” when we abide in Christ Jesus!

The disciple of Christ will bear fruit. This is God’s promise when we abide in Jesus.

We will not be perfect this side of heaven. However, we can’t spend time feasting on God’s Living Word and in prayer (abiding) without fruitful attitudes being evident in our lives.

Praise God that the Fruit is not dependent on our energy and strength! Praise God that the True Vine, (Jesus) supplies us with Living Water that wells up unto Eternal Fruit! Praise God that when we abide, we are strengthened to withstand the strongest storms of life.

Will you abide?

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Suffering, Times of Trouble, Your Witness | Leave a comment

“The full weight of Justice”

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Todd Stewart

“Those responsible will feel the full weight of Justice,” President Obama.

For the second time in less than 6 months, we are shocked with the reality that we live in a world where evil is ever present. 3 killed and over 100 injured by bombs planted near the finish line of the Boston marathon.

God’s Word has much to say about evil in the world and much of it is difficult for us to digest. We want immediate justice and often proclaim that justice will be done as if we control things. Reality is we don’t, but rest assured that God does.

It’s complex and confusing at times, but there is great Peace in knowing that God will judge. King Solomon, regarded as the wisest man to ever live, struggled with why wickedness was allowed. He, like us, struggled with why God would allow such evil in the world.

“Furthermore, I have seen under the sun that in the place of justice there is wickedness, and in the place of righteousness there is wickedness. I said to myself, ‘God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man.’ for a time for every matter and for every deed is there.” Ecclesiastes 3:16-17

This side of Heaven, we will witness evil and wickedness, BUT GOD. “God will judge both the righteous man and the wicked man.” Justice will be done and we can be confident in this Truth.

There is often great anxiety and worry caused by the ongoing chaos associated with wickedness and evil. Jesus guided his followers through these difficult waters as they feared for their lives due to severe persecution. We too can find comfort in His words.

“And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul body in Hell.”

Christianity 101: Always replace doubt and fear with Truth. This is how we overcome doubt and fear.

King David understands this truth as well.

“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 118:6

Application

There are some things we will never understand this side of Heaven. In the interim, we walk in Truth to overcome doubt and fear associated with evil and wickedness in the world. We trust God’s plan. He will exercise His right to judge and those who have lived a life of sin will bear the “full weight of justice” for all of eternity in hell.

Good News

For those who have placed their Faith and Trust in Jesus Christ, we do not have to fear judgement day. God’s Judgement was poured out on Jesus as he hung on the cross for our sins. This is the Good News! Trust Him Today!

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Hope, Suffering, Times of Trouble | Leave a comment

Our Redeemer Lives

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Todd Stewart

In the book of Ruth, we find an amazing picture of Redemption.

A lost and tattered young woman Ruth (a Moabite / foreigner) found herself clinging to her Jewish mother-in-law (Naomi) both having lost their husbands. The physical and spiritual buying back (redemption) of Ruth by a kinsman redeemer Boaz restores these women and establishes them firmly in the household of Faith.

Do you find yourself in a foreign land? Take action. Naomi left Moab and returned to Israel. Her daughter in law Ruth followed. Today, we don’t seek Israel, we seek Jesus. “Our Redeemer Lives!”

Today, consider the reality that we were once far off (trapped in sin) excluded from the chosen people of God and we have been bought back (Redeemed) by the precious Blood of The Lamb. Yes! Jesus offers Redemption to each of us. His desire is full adoption by trusting in His work on the cross and His resurrection. We now have the joy of being grafted into His family (forgiven) as sons and daughters!

May our lives, today and every day, reflect this great reality! “Our Redeemer Lives!”

“Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a Redeemer today, and may his name become famous in Israel.” Ruth 4:14

Thank You Jesus!!!

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Forgiveness, Grace, Hope | Leave a comment

Suffering Well

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Todd Stewart

Got a note from a friend this morning about one of his friends that is undergoing surgery for throat cancer this week. The guy has a young family and it’s a tough time as he considers the potential of never being able to speak with his loved ones again.

Yesterday, I went into the Ford dealership down the street to sign some paperwork on a company vehicle. Our long time sales representative told me that Saturday morning one of his co-workers was notified that her husband was killed in an automobile accident. Our rep was visibly shaken as he tried to process what had happened and how the young wife and mother could deal with such a tragedy.

If we live long enough, we will all suffer in some capacity. No one is exempt this side of Heaven, not even those who devote their lives to serving the Lord. Our perspective on suffering and understanding of God’s character makes all the difference.

We are reminded of this great truth in the Book of Job. Job is the most famous book ever written on suffering. Job is a man of God who has been abundantly blessed, yet he loses his 10 children in a violent storm. As if that is not enough, all his earthly possessions are burned up and servants murdered in the same day! So much for the property Gospel.

Job, a Faithful man of God, tears his robe and shaves his head in agony to show outwardly how much he is hurting internally. In a situation that is so bad you want to tear your clothes, shave your head and scream? Been there before?

No matter how spiritual or Godly a person may be, suffering hurts and its OK to express pain. God created tears and emotion for a reason.

How does Job respond to his horrific loss? What is his perspective considering the gravity of the situation?

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and The Lord has taken away; may the Name of The Lord be praised. In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:20-22

Job’s Faith in God is evident in the words he uttered. He notes some great truths that can help us gain a Godly perspective on suffering.

1) We bring nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.

2) Everything is a gift from God. Our Children, Possessions, Relationships.

3) God sometimes allows things to be removed from our lives. He is God.

4) When all is removed, Praise The Lord. He is enough. He is all we need.

5) Never Sin in response to suffering.

6) Sin only magnifies suffering and ultimately leads to death.

7) Suffering is never to be charged to God.

If you are dealing with a painful situation, I pray that you would look at it in light of what Job went through. God is our Peace and Comforter. He is able to sustain you through your situation, just as He sustained Job.

No one understands suffering more than our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He suffered and died on our behalf that we might live for eternity.

Trust Him!!!

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Hope, Suffering, Times of Trouble | Leave a comment

Ever been wounded by a Christian?

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Todd Stewart

One of the most amazing events in the arrest of Jesus is the restoration/healing of the severed ear that Peter had cut off the high priest’s servant.

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.” John 18:10

“He (Jesus) touched his ear and healed him.” Luke 22:51

The battle expected by the followers of Jesus was ensuing, but it would not be a physical battle in which King Jesus would crush the Romans and restore Israel to prominence. No, Jesus would bring about physical and spiritual healing through the cross by obediently following the plan of God on our behalf.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

This passage should serve as a great reminder to believers and non believers alike.

First, to the believer. While we may be tempted at times to physically fight for righteousness sake, we will never win the hearts and souls of men with fists and swords. In fact, we often do much harm to the cause of Christ when we, like Peter, seek to take the fight into our own hands and judge the lost. Our battle is not against flesh and blood. The kingdom of God advances through Love, Prayer and the Power of the Gospel. Praise God, Jesus is there to clean up our mess, just like he cleaned up Peter’s.

Second, to the non-believer. Have you ever been wounded by a follower of Christ? Have you ever rejected Church or the Gospel because of the actions of someone who claimed to be a follower of Christ? Lost and ear perhaps?

Know that Jesus Loves you deeply and has the Power to heal you physically and spiritually despite how you may have been wounded by a person claiming to follow Jesus. Christian’s are far from perfect. We need the cross of Christ just as much as you.

Easter is about Love, Forgiveness, Healing and Overcoming.

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

Come to Jesus despite your wounds. There is Healing at the foot of the cross.

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Forgiveness, Hope, Uncategorized, Your Witness | Leave a comment

March Madness and Living out the Gospel

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Todd Stewart

March Madness is one of the most watched events in all of sports! Basketball teams from schools all over the country vie for the prestigious national tournament championship.

Clearly, the cinderella story and David and Goliath nature 0f tournament competition draws every ounce of energy from players and fans alike.

So, what does the Living out the Gospel have to do with the nature of tournament basketball? It’s one word. PRESS!!!

How does the dictionary define the word PRESS in terms of basketball and life?

Basketball. An aggressive defensive strategy in which one or two players harass the ball handler in the backcourt while the rest of the team maintains a close man-to-man or zone defense.
A strong, diversified effort

Likewise, the Apostle Paul knows what it means to PRESS ON in terms of the Gospel. He wrote the following words while in prison.

“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do; forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I PRESS ON toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”Phil 3:13-14

Practical Application.

How did Paul PRESS ON?

1) He shared the Gospel relentlessly even when imprisoned under difficult circumstances. Millions of people have come to know Christ because of His attitude in suffering and willingness to share Christ. He PRESSED ON to know Christ and Share the Gospel.

2) He wrote the letter we are reading today that now ministers to millions of people while imprisoned. He used his time and energy wisely. Even times of difficulty became opportunities to advance the Gospel for Paul. He PRESSED ON to Know Christ and Share the Gospel.

3) He made knowing Christ his ultimate affection. He PRESSED ON to Know Christ and Share the Gospel no matter his life situation at the time. He PRESSED ON even unto death.

So What about us?

As we watch the tournament this year and especially as we witness the famous PRESS defense, may we consider the incredible effort being exerted for a temporary prize that fades with time.

How much more should we who have been bought with the precious Blood of the Lamb PRESS ON to Know and Share Christ?

How much more should we PRESS ON in our lives to Know and Share Christ understanding the incredible cost and value of our eternal gift?

Brothers and Sisters, PRESS ON!!! Its worth it!!!

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Faith, Times of Trouble, Uncategorized, Your Witness | 1 Comment

When a Father’s Love is Absent

Posted on March 4, 2013 by Todd Stewart

A mother of 40 plus years listens to her college aged daughter utter truthful words that cut like a knife, “I have come to the realization that Dad does not Love me”.

Everything in the mother’s core desires to comfort and dispel the harsh reality of what has just been communicated, but this time silence lingers in the wake of truth. Her ex-husband’s actions over the last 30 plus years have revealed the hardened heart of a sad man who now clings to a bottle in lieu of his former wife and family of 5. All involved with the exception of the Father know that nothing but God’s Love will ever fill the void in his heart.

When a father’s Love is absent or warped in some capacity, it is devastating. A child’s first experience with God THE FATHER’S Love is through their earthly relationship with their earthly father. Don’t miss this!

A child will equate how God is going to deal with them relationally by how their own earthly father treats them. So, if a father is very strict in every sense, the child will grow up with the idea that God is a taskmaster. If the father is largely absent, the child will grow up with the idea that God may abandon them or neglect to care for them. If an earthly father cannot be trusted, it will be very hard for a person to develop a trust for God. Obviously, the idea here is for us to reflect God’s perfectly balanced LOVE in the lives of our children, so they gain a proper perspective on God’s LOVE. We won’t get it right all the time, so when we get it wrong it is important to confess that to your kids.

Fathers, your leadership or lack thereof in the area of LOVE is crucial to your wife and children.

Jesus is our example in Love. He left heaven to come to earth as a sacrifice for our sins that we might experience the Love of God and reflect His image in a lost and hurting world. Love is the basis for Sacrifice. When you Love, you will sacrifice for others.

“God demonstrates His own Love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Rom 5:8

Jesus goes on to tell us in John 14 that people will know that we are followers of Christ by how we Love one another. He does not ask us to Love one another, but commands us to do so!

“A new commandment I give to you that you Love one another, even as I have Loved you, that you also Love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have Love for one another. “

Jesus clearly tells us that LOVE leads to Obedience. Don’t miss this!

“If anyone Loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will Love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him. He who does not Love Me does not keep My words; and the Word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent me.” John 14:23-24

Clearly, apart from God’s abiding LOVE, we are unable to obey God and Love others as we are called. Obedience is the mark of someone who knows God. Disobedience is the mark of someone who does not know God.

Parents, LOVE originates with God and we must demonstrate it in the lives of our children, neighbors, and even enemies. When we seek to do it under our own intellect and power, we miss the mark and damage relationships in the process.

Yes, Apart from God’s Holy Spirit in our lives, we are incapable of Loving in a sacrificial way. Secular “Love” is based on performance. Good luck with that one! Let’s investigate what True Love really looks like in the scriptures.

“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have Love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have the gift of prophesy, and know all the mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have Love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have Love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, Love is kind, and is not jealous; Love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, its not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the TRUTH; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS.” 1 Cor 13:1-8

Love is the origin of Faith, Obedience and Giving. It is God alone that supernaturally enables us to LOVE.

While the Dad I spoke of initially is still barreling down the path to destruction, I am confident that God is showing Himself to be THE FATHER those children need. Learning to depend on God is a good thing! I am excited about how God THE FATHER is working in the lives of these children and their mother.

May HIS LOVE surround this family and you today and always!

Question?

Has your view of God’s Love been warped because of your earthly Father’s actions in this life? You can break free from the bitterness by God’s Grace!

Jesus Loves You! He died for you! You have great worth in God’s eyes! I invite you to receive free His Gift of Mercy, LOVE and Grace by accepting His sacrifice on the cross for your sins today. You can’t do anything to earn it. It is by Faith alone.

Rom 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!”

Religion and Relationship are two different things. The Father above understood religion intellectually, but he missed the Love Relationship Christ desires to have with each of us. Be reminded today that you have a Father in heaven that LOVES YOU!

LOVE IS FOUND AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS!

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Family, Forgiveness, Grace, Hope | Leave a comment

Chef Jeff and our Christian Walk

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Todd Stewart

Chef Jeff went from a crack cocaine dealer serving time in federal prison to a high-end chef with his own book and TV show by learning to walk the walk and talk the talk.

As Christians, we too have been rescued from the gutter. It is only by God’s Grace and Mercy that we are saved through the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. God’s word has some things to say about how we are to walk and talk in our new nature.

“This I say, therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart: and they, having become callous have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness, But you did not learn Christ in this way. If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit.” Eph 4:17-22

When Chef Jeff got out of prison, he realized very quickly that he would not get hired unless he transformed his image. So, one of the first things he did was go out and buy a pristine white robe that is worn by the best Chef’s. He took off his old robe and put on his new white robe. Next, he studied how educated men walked and talked. This too, he mastered down to the designer eyeglasses. He was identifying with who he desired to be.

In the same way, God’s word tells Christians that we are to remove/lay aside the old robe of sin and put on the robe of righteousness provided through the Grace and Mercy found only at the Cross of Jesus Christ.

The following is a list of things noted in the scriptures that we are to lay aside when we are rescued from sin and death.

(Falsehood, Anger, Theft, Unwholesome Talk (Cussing), Bitterness, Wrath, Slander, Malice, Foolishness)

Now that we have removed our robe by the Blood of Christ, let us now “Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Phil 4:24

The following is a list of traits or characteristics noted in the scriptures that we are to put on. This is the walk and talk of our new nature. These are the things that are reflective of a life that has been transformed by the blood of Jesus.

(Speaking Truth, Offering Words of Edification, Being Kind, Be Tender Hearted, Forgiving One Another, Walking in Love, Give Thanks, Goodness, Righteousness, Truth, Wisdom)

“Therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eph 5:15-17

Practical Application:

How we walk and talk as Christian’s does matter. We are God’s messengers of Love and Grace in this lost world. God’s will for us is that we would be transformed into the image of His Son Jesus Christ over a lifetime. This process is called sanctification and it does involve effort/obedience on our part. I liken it to water rushing over rocks in a stream and over time smoothing the rough edges off. We all have rough edges that need to be knocked off.

Questions to ponder:

If you know Christ, are you identifying with him in the manner in which you walk and talk daily? What do you need to put off and or put on? Do people see Christ in you by your actions and words? Are you drawing people closer to Christ or pushing them away by your actions and words? Who are you seeking to imitate in word or deed?

Challenge!

Jesus died a brutal death on our behalf. He took on the punishment we deserve. If we have accepted His offer of Forgiveness, Grace and Mercy at the cross, walk the walk and talk the talk by His power and His grace.

Tip!

The answer to growing in Christ likeness is not you making a pact with yourself that you won’t do the things listed above under what we need to put off. The real life changing means to live out the gospel daily and reflect his image is found in and through intimacy with our Savior. He is the vine and we are the branches.

Encouragement!

The beautiful truth here is that God has promised that He will smooth you out over time. That said, we must appropriate time in our life for God to work on us if we truly desire life change. This involves prioritizing Prayer, Church and Bible Study. God’s Word is what waters our soul and allows the fruits of the spirit noted above to grow and be evident in our lives. Let’s hit our knees and ask God to wash us with His Word today! We all need daily cleansing by His Grace.

Posted in Christian Walk, Daily Grind, Discipleship, Your Witness | Leave a comment

This Sucks

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Todd Stewart

I received an urgent prayer request from a friend in my life group class this week. Apparently, a friend/co-worker that he has grown to love did not show up for work on Friday. The guy has literally vanished and is now on a missing persons list. “This Sucks.”

Another couple I know is battling with the pain of having multiple mis-carriages. “This Sucks”

My son is in 6^th grade and is battling the full on-set of puberty, the pain of seeing friends struggle to make Godly choices, isolation at times due to his Christian Faith, and all the worldly influences that dominate conversation and activity of soon to be teenage boys and girls. “This Sucks”

A girl my wife grew up with was recently told by her husband (on Christmas Day) that he no longer wanted to stay married. A month later, she also found out that their young child has cancer. “This Sucks”

The harsh reality is that we live in a fallen world. As believers, we will encounter trials and difficulties in this life.

Depression

Lets look at how Paul dealt with His challenges and consider how we might apply the same life changing truth to our lives as we face trials of our own.

“For I know that this shall turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I shall not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ shall even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil 1:19-21

Paul’s “this” was being imprisoned for the “cause of Christ”. He was separated from the body of Christ, whom he loved dearly. These people were Paul’s spiritual children. Imagine for a moment the anguish of being separated from your loved ones.

A Few Questions to ponder in order to flesh out your difficulty and in turn apply God’s truth where doubt and fear currently exist.

1) What is your “this” sucks at the moment and what are you feeling? Write it out.

2) What are you facing that you need “prayer” and “provision of the Spirit” in order to overcome?

Note: The mighty apostle Paul who wrote most of the new testament was dependent on Prayer and God’s provision. Do not go it alone! Ask for prayer and God’s strength in your situation. I had to do this myself, just this past week. I can’t tell you how much it helped me, my wife and the situation.

3) Have you considered, as Paul did with “earnest expectation and hope”, how your “this” sucks circumstance and the way you handle it can and will “exalt Christ” no matter the outcome?

Note: God does not waste trials and difficulties in our life. He allows them and uses them to strengthen us and further the Gospel just as Paul’s imprisonment strengthened and encouraged the furtherance of the Gospel in his day. Yes, his suffering produced a harvest that is still reaping eternal fruit today! Your situation has a greater purpose as well! Be encouraged!

When, “this” sucks” to the point of death, we are left with a difficult decision.

A) We can wallow in our circumstances and allow Satan to neutralize our witness.

B) We can seek prayer and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, so that God is glorified and exalted no matter the outcome.

I don’t know what you are struggling with today, but if you are on the front lines battling for the souls of men/women, you will experience difficulties. Paul’s Love for people originated with the Love, Grace and Mercy that he experienced on the road to Damascus when he had a life changing encounter with Jesus. Even in prison, Paul decided to write letters and preach the Gospel to the guards. The result? Millions of people have come to know Christ through the letter we are studying today.

Challenge: Consider how you might use your difficult circumstance to exalt Christ and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. You will need prayer and provision of the spirit, so I encourage you to surround yourself with people who can replace doubt and fear with the Truth of God’s Word. Reject Shame and Embrace Boldness in the mighty name of Jesus!!!

Warning: Satan seeks to neutralize those who are making an impact for the Kingdom of God. When you decide to live a life that is set apart, you will experience difficulties. This should not surprise you. Don’t go it alone. Satan likes nothing more than to isolate, seek, kill, and destroy. Reach out to those around you who are Godly influences. Ask for Prayer. Sometimes during difficulty, people will withdraw from Church and life group. This is the worst thing you can do. Stay engaged, as Paul did, no matter how difficult it gets.

Good News: In Love, Jesus overcame Sin, Temptation, Trials, Isolation and even Death on a cross that those who trust in His gift of Grace and Mercy might live for eternity! Having an eternal perspective on trials is key to overcoming momentary difficulties in this world.

Rev 12:11: “And they overcame him (Satan) because of the blood of the Lamb (Jesus) and because of the word of their testimony”

“For me to live is Christ and to die is Gain” Phil 1:21

We Win!!! Keep your eyes on Him!