Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Saturday December 5, 2009 and we are studying the book of Philippians, please read chapters 1-4

in your Bible or Click Here to read them copy & paste this URL http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-december-5

Today's Message: Rejoice, In The Lord
No matter what adversities we face, we do not have to let them control us. We can get through them all as we Rejoice, in the Lord knowing that Jesus is with us through it all.

The book of Philippians is the 11th book of the New Testament, 50th book of the Bible, and contains 4 chapters. The author of the book/epistle (letter) is Paul and it was written to the church of Philippi. The purpose if the epistle was to present an appeal for Christian unity. What we are to learn from the epistle is that unity with Jesus brings us much joy.

We do not have to look very far to see adversity everywhere, people are losing jobs, businesses, and homes all over the country. The crime rate is up and climbing and people are taking lives and even their own now more than ever. What is a person to do with such adversity? Now more than ever we need Jesus. No one suffered more Paul as he followed Jesus command to go out into the world and preach the Gospel, yet through it all he never gave up hope knowing that Jesus was right there by his side. When the Apostle Paul first preached in Europe near the city of Philippi. On the Sabbath, he went to a place of prayer by a river where he met Lydia, a businesswoman from Thyatira. Lydia was saved along with a few others, and a church was planted there (Acts 16:13-15). At a later date, as a missionary prisoner in Rome, Paul wrote to these converts about his adversity. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.............And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” - Philippians 1:3-7,9-13. Paul's imprisonment gave him the opportunity to share the Good News about Jesus with the elite guard of the Roman Empire. As there was a change of guard three or four times a day, this was a great opportunity to tell many of them about Jesus the Messiah.

I am sure Paul felt a little discontent at times, but instead of sitting there and getting bitter he chose to use the opportunity to reach the lost with the Gospel. He never feared what was about to happen because he knew Jesus was with him. “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” - Philippians 2:12-16. Paul encouraged the church to keep going, holding on to God's Word. Our occupation in life may be in politics, the military, business, education, manual labor, or homemaking, but our primary concern should always be that we hold on to the Word of Life. We all have a natural desire for physical comforts, security, and material things. However, in making our decisions, our first consideration and loyalty should be to Christ. There is a storehouse of spiritual wealth and peace in Him that surpasses all earthly possessions in importance.

Adversities will not defeat the believer who has experienced Christ as revealed in this book. If Christ is truly in our lives and we live for His pleasure, to display His faithfulness, His love, and His patience then we say with Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.….....I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:4-7,13. Praise God!

Have a wonderful and blessed day/night and Merry Christmas
God Bless You,
Christina

P.S. I am finally back online so the messages will resume on a daily basis. Thank you for your patience and understanding. God bless you.

Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation