Daily Bread 11-12-16
Phillipians 1:6,7
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begin a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
7 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.
ref. - Jn 6:29 - Jesus answered and said into them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Eph 3:1 - For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
Phil 4:14 - Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.
Isn't it such a great thing to have good examples? We go through this life surrounded by negatives and positives but when we search the scriptures we can read of good people who led without preference, were examples even when people weren't watching, and God chosen people to help us all get closer to Him. The Apostle Paul knew that if he was a good example, showing God's grace in his own life, that the ones who were watching would learn the same and be able to endure the things that they would face. The reason that he was confident that the people could get through it was because it was the only way that he had gotten through it. Knowing that his journey was not over and the people had a long way to go, he told them to follow him. He taught them not only in scripture but through example how to remain pleasing to God in all situations. It wasn't a special talent that he had or a wealth of knowledge, it was grace that had been given from God when he agreed to be bound to the gospel in Jesus Christ. Today we must learn to endure through the hardships of this world and stay grounded and settled in the gospel. Knowing that the grace of God is the only thing that can bring us through. What will and has destroyed thousands of others will not destroy us because we will call on God in Jesus' name and he will deliver us. If he has seen fit to start a good work in us, he will complete it. Fortunately he has put in front of us many good examples of this. Examples of ones who, through patience, long-suffering, and meekness, have endured through many years of pain and suffering. Being mistreated by others, eaten away by cancer, shunned by the world and other so-called Christians who want to remain worldly, they still defend and confirm the gospel in that they never stop performing what God has called them to do. This calling is not up until a certain age, it is until the last breath, when Jesus Christ comes and takes the pain away. When people tell you , "I don't know why you put up with that, or where is your God now?" you can say, "It isn't so bad, they don't really know what they are doing or they wouldn't be doing it. God takes good care of me." or "He is all around us and he has a plan, even though I do not know what it is right now, I know that it is right and it is good, because He is right and He is good." Do not be consumed by the world or it's ways if you have been called to serve in Jesus Christ. Follow them that have been called to lead you, learn from their examples, believe what they teach you, and know that what God has started in you, will surely be completed all the way until Christ comes again!!! Have a great day!!!