Daily Bread 3-3-17
Philippians 1:18,19
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
19 For I know that this shall turn into my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
ref. - 2 Co 1:11 - Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks ought to be given by many on our behalf.
Ro 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
It was many prayers of the brethren, and one of our own, that got us here, and it is by the prayers of them that we will make it through. All around us there are people who pose as followers of Christ but their intentions are not Spiritual or pure. It has been only by the unity of Spiritual people, praying in the Spirit, that we are able to continue on this wonderful journey. That, and the fact that God hears the voices of them that are his and answers their prayers. So, indeed we need to fear not the ones who preach or teach Christ out of contention, vain glory, strife, envy, even without sincerity, putting on shows to entertain and deceive instead of instructing in the Spirit. Their own tangled web will swallow them up and, when the time comes, only his true followers and true worshippers will be led into the mountains and away from the destruction that is to come. When the misusers of the Gospel open their mouths they may gain many followers as they attract them with carnal promises and false hopes. They become gainsayers to attract and care for their own. They teach that bodily exercise is the way to Christ and that the approval of man is the way to draw closer to God. But in the truth and in the Gospel, our salvation is proven if we are Spiritual people by our obedience to his Gospel and His scripture. All other things will end up in opinion, tradition, and stories, but the word of God, spiritually discerned will bring about the peace that the world cannot offer. So, we must receive and take on the same Holy Spirit that Paul had when he said, whether they preach Christ in pretence( pretending with intention to deceive ) or in truth, the Spirit of God will overcome all and it will lead to our salvation. If we are people seeking for things of the Spirit we will not become actors or deceivers, but actual vessels of honor in that his Spirit will work through us and in us. And when we find ourselves in the company of other Spirit filled followers, even two or three, his power will not have to be imitated because true salvation, true sanctification, and the true Holy Spirit of God will fill the air. Not music, not praise, not noise, not actions, but the true Holy Spirit in the souls of believers praying one for another and helping each other along on our journeys! Many have prayed for Spiritual help for so long, now that it is here, they mustn't become Pharisees and try to invent it on their own. It will be temporary, and lead to the destruction of many. And, when that becomes manifest and evident, it will prove and strengthen the salvation of those who are truly Spirit filled followers of Jesus Christ just as Paul was. Please pray for the leadership of the Church as they try to help us all to grow like never before, Spiritually in Christ. Have a great day!!!