To die is gain!

Good morning to all. Wow can you believe this Tennessee weather?? Never in my lifetime have I witnessed such cool weather in July...thank you Jesus!

Let's dive into some more of Philippians Chapter 1 verses 19-26:


To Live Is Christ

19 For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. 24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, 26 that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Paul is so amazing to me. I pray that we would have just a small portion of boldness and desire to live for Christ as he did. Look at verses 19-21. In 19 Paul is telling us all that he is going through will be his deliverance. I believe if we were facing the same things Paul was going through we would want deliverance from the problems but not Paul he uses the situation as his deliverance and opportunity to magnify Jesus...simply amazing. In verse 20 He says exactly that....He will never be ashamed, he will be bold and Christ will be magnified even in death!!! They key to Paul's boldness is found in verse 21. It should be our key also. Our life is Christ! Can you say that? Everything in Paul's life was centered around Christ...THIS IS KEY TO LIVING THE ULTIMATE CHRISTIAN LIFE!!! If we are centered in Jesus we can handle all situations that come our way. Even death. Remember what Paul says death is gain! Heaven! It will not get any better that that!

Verses 22-26 Paul is in a real struggle. He wants to die to be with Christ but also realizes as long as he lives he can be fruitful for Christ and bring others to knowledge of Jesus Christ. Ask your self right now are you in this struggle? Heaven or staying to work for the Lord to benefit others? I dare say most of us want to live but probably not with the sole purpose of bringing others to Christ. This takes us back to where are our lives centered?? I struggle with selfishness everyday. Our purpose here once we are saved is to bring others to the knowledge of Christ if we are not doing this than the Lord has all the right in the world to bring us home...to heaven.

I hope these verses are talking to you as much as they are talking to me. Very, very challenging. Take time to do some praying and evaluating today on your life and see what is in the center and be honest. The make adjustments if needed. We need to continue to grow in the Lord until He brings us home!

I love you in the Lord...Tom