“…Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue
with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, -{Philpippians 1:25}
Paul said and I love the words, “Remain and Continue,” which means to wait beside a person ever ready to help. He was looking out for…OTHERS… just like His LORD… reflecting His heart…So, as long as you “Remain And Continue” living, in whatever circumstances you find yourself in , let your OUTLOOK be to LOOKOUT for the welfare of others, investing your life in others, for “Jesus sake”-{ Read 2 Cor 4:5}… for their “PROGRESS of JOY in the FAITH!”
Be deliberate in what your purpose is – I AM HERE FOR YOUR..,JOY…{I AM COMMITTED TO YOUR…JOY!}..in the Faith!
Whose Joy are you committed to and how do you show it
How are you coming alongside others to strengthen them in their faith and seeking to increase their reasons for delighting in the LORD?
Paul knew God’s purpose was that he be spiritually fruitful as it is God’s will for you and me to be likewise, “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”-{John 15:16}…”Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.”-{Romans 7:4}.
Saved to Serve, by investing your life purposely in others lives and in this passage in Philippians 1 for their “JOY in the Faith!”
Too often we can grow discouraged, or believe we are too old now, and past our usefulness, our days are mostly behind us and we sit back and slowly die of regret, embracing lies when in reality as long as we are here we have purpose to invest our lives, by preferring others and committed to their “progress in the Joy of the Faith!”…Your attitude? It’s like falling off a bike, you can lay there and regret the fall or you can get back up and cycle on! Don’t believe the lies such as “you don’t know enough to share!” Here’s a good principle, Share what you know and keep exposing yourself to His Word so you can grow and share! Or what about this lie, “God can’t use you, no one will listen to you!” Oh yes, He can and will. he will give you someone to pray for, share with, invest in, and they might just be in your… home… school.., work, or hospice,… wherever you are, He is with you as He is In you and desiring the souls of others and the spiritual growth of others. You are not past your “sell-by date” as though you were an old carton of milk, that had turned sour! I heard of a lady in her nineties who was in a nursing home who daily read her Bible and other occupants and staff came to listen to her. For them, it may have been a “novelty,” for others a “lifeline” but she was doing what she could and sharing His Word, and those who know Him were being spiritually nourished, according to 1 Peter 2:2! You are breathing? Then don’t fall into the lie of you have sinned so much, failed so badly, and are not articulate enough to be used by God. For those “lies” have you focus inward and not to Him and Others! It’s a trap, to stop, and divert you from this wonderful opportunity you have in representing the LORD Jesus, co-laboring with Him, in the spiritual good of others! Samson had sinned and failed, but God gave him opportunity to honor Him in his circumstances.
Paul in prison said , “brothers and sisters I want you to know my circumstances have worked out to further the Gospel,“-{Phil 1:12}. And He did invest in the lives of the Philippians! How? He communicated by WRITING to them, Telling them SPECIFICALLY of how he was praying for them, and reports how the Gospel is going forth, how they should deal with the conflict among two women in the congregation, how the believers are speaking THE WORD of God, boldly and without fear, and he reports on Epahroditus who nearly died in his service to Paul, my point being, here was a man confined in prison, but he was not “shut down,” he was still reaching out, he was investing in others. People could look at his circumstances, and conclude, he was “shut down,” what could he do there? Well, he writes to them and gives and update how those very circumstances were opportunities to advance the Gospel and encourage God’s people, and do you know what?… generations of people have been encouraged through the Book of Philippians that has been called “the Book of Joy” due to the number of times, “joy” and “rejoicing” in the four chapters! You too from your circumstances can communicate even through writing, be it a letter, email, text, etc… with people you may be separated from physically… there are opportunities in our circumstances, to invest in the lives of believers for their “Joy in the faith!”
So, don’t believe the many “lies” that you cannot be used…You are useful and you can begin afresh! And asking Him to use you and adopting this attitude -“I Am Alongside You, Ever Ready To Help you Progress, Advance In Your JOY in The Faith!” And Know God wants you to be fruitful, and fruitful you will be! Don’t give up, dig in and spend your life investing in others…
Desiring To Go, But Willing To Stay- was Paul’s attitude and while he remained he had a purpose– “…for your progress and joy in the faith, “… and to be Fruitful according to God’s will for his life… and yours … and mine… As long as you are breathing you have PURPOSE from God who desires you be Fruitful in your living for Him and …Others!