Phillipians 1:19-20 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,whether by life or by death.
People often ask me about my view of death. They are usually surprised to find out that I do not care whether I live or die. No, I am not suicidal. The context of the question is usually about whether or not I fear dying. I do not, none whatsoever. Why you might ask? I have made every effort to make where my life is pleasing to God. I don't just mean that I stopped doing things that might be considered "sins". It goes much deeper than that. When my life was blasted apart by the Truth that is Jesus Christ, there was no choice for me to make but to alter the way that I spent my time to better serve God's purpose, instead of my own. I began seeing ways that I could reach people, help them into a greater understanding of His Word, and show them the way that they can in turn do the same that was done for them.
I encounter plenty of people that no matter how much I try to love them, still don't fully understand what I am trying to show them. Sometimes the ones that have fully bought into the lie of Satan have their stuff together and are able to defeat me in reasonable discussion. However, the whole time I try to love them the way that Jesus would: unconditionally. You will run into situations where the enemy feeds people all they need to try and make you feel like an idiot. All I can say there is stand by your convictions and be ready with the word to defend yourself. Also keep in mind that its not them that you're fighting (verbally) Its a spiritual battle that you're fighting. 2 Corinthians 10 explains all that pretty well. The point here is eagerly expect that you will not be ashamed and will have sufficient courage so that Christ will be glorified by your behavior in your trial.
That goes also for the things that you go through in life. You could go around moping and whining and complaining ALL THE TIME! I know people like that and I cant stand it. Never look at your storm from the middle of it. If you do all you're gonna see is destruction. God is always moving. He never sits still and does nothing. That includes when you're in the middle of a storm.
So I encourage you, I beseech you, to right now make a stand. Do the best you can, in life or death, to give God glory and let your life glorify Him. Just because you mess up don't mean squat. I dont mean that you can do whatever you want and there not be consequences. At receipt of salvation, you were covered with grace which took care of the mess ups. Think of the prostitute that was about to be stoned: It was her job to sin. She was an adulteress by trade! Jesus simply said to her, "Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more." Get this mentality out of your head that He's there waiting to smack you in the knees like a mobster thug every time you mess up. You are a child of the Warrior King. He died so that you could live to bring others to him. You are not a weakling door mat for Satan and his fellow fallen angels to walk all over. You may be in the valley, but you may be there as a light to show someone else the way out. Don't ever let anyone tell you that you are not worthy of God's love because of your past. He loves EVERY PERSON ON THIS PLANET!!! Its some of the things that we do that He hates. Take His grace and show it to other people. That is what the Church is missing!! Imagine what could happen if ALL Christians started showing grace to people instead of hating them except on Sunday. Satan wouldn't have a chance. People would come to God in droves! Whether they like you or not, whether they accept it or not, show people the Love of God so that your life will magnify the Name of the Lord. In life or death, glorify God.
That grace I talked about, Let it be with you ALWAYS!
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