Philippians 1

Philippians is considered the most joyful book in the Bible. Paul repeats again and again how joyful we should be in the Lord. While he writes all of this, he is imprisoned and chained to a guard. If Paul can be joyful in a situation where death is a likely outcome, can't we be joyful in the Lord in all of our situations? http://www.esvbible.org/Philippians+1/

Paul starts out with his usual greeting to the Church, this time in Philippi, and he informs them that Timothy helped right this particular letter.

From the get go, Paul starts talking about how thankful he is in the Lord. All the while, he is in jail, and most of us would probably feel completely alone and abandoned. Paul thinks of his friends in the Church of Philippi and writes a letter to them telling how he thanks God that he knows them. We should be happy because we are part of God's bigger plan, and when we teach others the Good News, He starts revealing His plan to them. Hopefully, they will begin to follow that plan and go with it until the day Christ chooses. We are all partners in Christ. We have to work together and be a united front to keep the enemy out and show people that we can all confirm each other and know that it is the truth. Paul says that e thinks of the Philippians whether he is in jail or actively defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. Our love should grow as we come to learn more about Christ. We should hopefully come to a place where we can discern through the Spirit what is pure and impure. Then, Jesus can fill us with all that is in God's approval so our lives will bring glory and praise to God.

Paul says the being in jail even brings him joy because it is part of God's plan. Because Paul is in prison, he has had the chance to minister to guards and fellow prisoners about the Good News. Of he hadn't gone to prison, these people may never have learned about Jesus Christ. Even if a situation seems bad, it can always bring glory to God, and it is most likel God that put you there in the first place. In that case, it's not actually a bad situation at all but an opportunity. Some people tell the message out of selfishness or other malicious reasons, but Paul says that doesn't matter. The people who give the Good News for pure reasons will gain more from what they teach, but even for those who teach the gospel to cause trouble, at least they get the Word out there. Motives don't matter if the end is that more people come to Christ.

Again, Paul finds another reason to be happy. He knows that the Philippians pray for him, and since God listens to prayers, Paul is confident that God will set him free. Whether he lives or dies, Paul will rejoice in the Lord and give Him praise. For if he dies, he gets to go be with Jesus. That is, after all, the eventual goal and reward. On the other hand, if he lives, Paul's work will produce even more results to bring glory to God. Paul says that he doesn't think he can choose one fate over the other because they are both good. He would like to move on to eternity with the Father, but he thinks that all of the churches he's planted would benefit from his teachings.

Live as people who believe the Good News of Christ. Then, word of what you do will spread throughout the churches, and you can serve as an example of what God wants in His people. Don't let your opponents intimidate you because you have the prize already. When they try to intimidate you, it's God showing them that you will have eternal life and they will have damnation. God has given you the opportunity not only to serve but also to suffer for Him. Think how much more the reward will mean after we suffer for our faith in Him.