Well, we made it! Danny amazed all of the medical staff with his calm, peaceful manner. He blessed them with his willingness to allow them to put in a IV, he walked himself into the MRI holding his IV fluid…he was a trooper. Just so grateful for all of your prayers. Then the ride home? Well, five hours in my favorite stuff. LOL Yet, I saw people who were stalled receiving help from complete strangers, people nodding and waving..and I saw Christ’s work being accomplished.
I need to admit I messed up the schedule here. I skipped courage completely and that got us off the “official” track. We’ll be back on tomorrow. My apologies. We are back with Paul today. He is in prison in a Roman jail. He’s here because of a vision in Acts 16:9, he traveled towards Macedonia and stopped in Philippi. He is joyful here. I have a quote written in my Bible that I can’t reference but I love it..”Paul’s positive sense affects all the guard-the placement was a profound God thing! Bloom where you are planted!” (Author unknown)
To give my own son props, 😉 I would say Daniel’s life has been a courage example. He has faced many a challenge, test, hospital stay with that same attitude of courage. He is my hero and I am proud to say that to you all.
I think it also important to get the definition of courage before I give you the verses.
Courage:
1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
c) without the use of figures and comparisons
2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity
A video from youtube, you know I have to include this from the movie just released on dvd.
Courageous: Courageous
And a video to just praise the ONE who was courage personified. Jesus :
watch?v=4hDaU4Zu0Lk
Okay, so the verses: Philippians 1: 12-26
12Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).
13So much is this a fact that throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest [here] my imprisonment has become generally known to be in Christ [that I am a prisoner in His service and for Him].
14And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences].
15Some, it is true, [actually] preach Christ (the Messiah) [for no better reason than] out of envy and rivalry (party spirit), but others are doing so out of a loyal spirit and goodwill.
16[f]The latter [proclaim Christ] out of love, because they recognize and know that I am [providentially] put here for the defense of the good news (the Gospel).
17[g]But the former preach Christ out of a party spirit, insincerely [out of no pure motive, but thinking to annoy me], supposing they are making my bondage more bitter and my chains more galling.
18But what does it matter, so long as either way, whether in pretense [for personal ends] or in all honesty [for the furtherance of the Truth], Christ is being proclaimed? And in that I [now] rejoice, yes, and I shall rejoice [hereafter] also.
19For I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and a [h]bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) this will turn out for my preservation (for the spiritual health and [i]welfare of my own soul) and avail toward the saving work of the Gospel.
20This is in keeping with my own eager desire and persistent expectation and hope, that I shall not disgrace myself nor be put to shame in anything; but that with the utmost freedom of speech and unfailing courage, now as always heretofore, Christ (the Messiah) will be magnified and get glory and praise in this body of mine and be boldly exalted in my person, whether through (by) life or through (by) death.
21For me to live is Christ [His life in me], and to die is gain [the gain of the glory of eternity].
22If, however, it is to be life in the flesh and I am to live on here, that means fruitful service for me; so I can say nothing as to my personal preference [I cannot choose],
23But I am hard pressed between the two. My yearning desire is to depart (to be free of this world, to set forth) and be with Christ, for that is far, far better;
24But to remain in my body is more needful and essential for your sake.
25Since I am convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and stay by you all, to promote your progress and joy in believing,
26So that in me you may have abundant cause for exultation and glorying in Christ Jesus, through my coming to you again.
Some definitions for the verse of the day which is in bold. Verse 20…
Earnest expectation; apokaradokia From a comparative of ἀπό (G575) and a compound of kara (the head) and δοκέω (G1380) (in the sense of watching)
You see, the expectation Paul is helping us understand is “persistent and anxious”, he does not want to disappoint His Savior with his next steps. He wants to be courageous in his boldness for Christ! This involves a choice in his head and a watching over his actions.
Hope-elpis
1) expectation of evil, fear
2) expectation of good, hope
a) in the Christian sense
1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation
3) on hope, in hope, having hope
a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation
Paul placed his hope NOT in himself but in the author of hope. The foundation of Paul’s life is who was going to establish every good thing and carry him through every suffering. He was going” to be poured out like a drink offering” and he knew it. Yet, Paul loved His LORD and was willing.
Shame-aischynō-From aischos (disfigurement, i.e. disgrace)-
1) to disfigure
2) to dishonour
3) to suffuse with shame, make ashamed, be ashamed
Paul cried out for prayer that he would not be disfigured by the trials or dishonored but instead he would place his hope in the boldness he would receive from his Savior. 🙂
I hope this gives you much to pray over your loved ones and yourself! May He shine forth in your life as He pours His courage into your life through His AWESOME Spirit. Be blessed this day. 🙂
Pray on! Pray on…
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