Are YOU On Fire For God??? 9/5/21
Philippians 1:12-18 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Philippians 1:12 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
First and FOREMOST, THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR ME AND MY FAMILY THIS PAST WEEK!!! I REALLY felt your PRAYERS, especially as I faced the daunting task of getting Amanda TO the hospital.
Please FORGIVE me, all you who receive my words via email only as I only had time and heart to post a quick PLEA for help on line on FB.
For those in the dark as to my goings Friday and Saturday, little Amanda had to be rushed to the hospital with a serious infection and as I type these words, I have been up for 36 plus hours-14 of which I spent in the ER waiting room BATTLING with a distraught brain injured daughter. Trust me-it was not a fun Friday night BUT God and YOUR PRAYERS got me, Wanda and Amanda THROUGH IT ALL!!!
Philippians 1:12 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
I asked the question above in the title of this message:
“ARE YOU ON FIRE FOR GOD??????”
Furthermore, do WE have the wrong image and belief what “being on fire for God really is?????”
Most would argue that “being on fire for God and Jesus” would require effort and action on one's part.
I'm talking about “gettin er' done baby,” REALLY working and DOING “for” God!!!!
HALELUJAH/PRAISE THE LORD, FATHER GOD, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME “DO” TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's geterdun Lord!!!
May I humbly suggest the “being on fire for Jesus” that Paul is writing about in the above Passages of quoted Scripture is NOT what Paul orWE desire..........
Ya see, when writing the above Sacred Words Paul was most definitely NOT getting it done for Jesus, in the “DO-ing” sense.
Paul was in PRISON and WRITING was ALL that Paul COULD do!!!
Gone were the days of wine and roses, gone were the days of eating out in Turkish, Italian, Greek, restaurants and sailing the seven seas in exciting world-wide ministry.
The thrill of the crowd, the applause, the accolades of appreciation-gone.
Hear me if you can/please?
Could it actually be possible to be MORE on fire for Jesus in a prison cell or hospital room or dreary job or silent suffering???????????????????????????
May I share a sadly hidden secret with you today.
What does “being a witness for Jesus Christ” really mean???
ARE YOU READY!!!
OUR duty as Christians is (DRUM ROLL PLEASE)
“TO BE SET ON FIRE AND THE PEOPLE/THE CROWDS COME TO WATCH US BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Philippians 1:12 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
“THE THINGS WHICH HAPPENED UNTO ME............................
Not the things I do or did, but the circumstances we “fall into!!!!”
Please NOTE nobody desires to “FALL INTO divers (diverse) TEMPTATIONS!!!!”
TEMPTATIONS-from <G3985> (peirazo); a putting to proof (by experiment [of good], experience [of evil], solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication adversity :- temptation, × try.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.
James 1:2 (KJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
LET ME REPEAT MYSELF:
OUR duty as Christians is (DRUM ROLL PLEASE)
“TO BE SET ON FIRE AND THE PEOPLE/THE CROWDS COME TO WATCH US BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Philippians 1:12 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
Now brethren, being “set on fire” is just as painful and unpleasant as it sounds!!!!!!
NOBODY in their right mind desires to be burning up in misery and pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul did not grow up and dream of being in prison at the end of his life!!!!
OUR duty as Christians is (DRUM ROLL PLEASE)
“TO BE SET ON FIRE AND THE PEOPLE/THE CROWDS COME TO WATCH US BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now PLEASE re-read today's Writing from the mighty Apostle Paul:
Philippians 1:12-18 (KJV)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
A crude, modern day term for this would be “RUBBER NECKING!”
Selah-think about this truth-We LOVE to observe DRAMA in other places other than our own!!
WE derive inspiration and knowledge from other people's FIRES/ ooops I mean MESSES!!!
EVERYBODY LOVES A GOOD FIRE!!!
In closing, I am INSPIRED, HUMBLED AND BLESSED by all the “likes” and loving encouragement I received over the weekend-HUMBLED AND INSPIRED.
But the truth is I get more responses from my troubles than my victories!!!!
TRUTHFULLY, I had rather be Joel Osteen or Tom Brady or Brad Pitts..........
I DO NOT ENJOY BEING SET ON FIRE-DO YOU????????????????????
I am writing this on NO sleep as it is late Saturday night and I want to at least watch a little of the big college football game and THEN hopefully/PRAYERFULLY Amanda will let me sleep........BTW GEORGIA WON 10-3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND FAITHFUL SUPPORT!!!
It is now Sunday morning and I am HAPPY to report that Amanda SLEPT till almost 6 AM-A MIRACLE OF GOD!!!
I SLEPT also and went back to bed around ( AM and SLEPT till 10:30 AM.
I am rested but still exhausted-can you say “the OLD gray mule she ain't what she used to be!”
ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIER!!
God Bless and THANK each of you,
Pastor Doug
404-295-5644 or
CHURCH ADDRESS:
70 Stone Rd.
McDonough, GA. 30253
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Thank You and God Bless You!!!
