Philippians 1:27 New King James Version (NKJV) 27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
Yesterday's verse, 2 Timothy 2:15 and its relation to AWANA clubs (approved workmen are not ashamed) must have still been on my mind this morning when I read today's verse from Philippians 1. The end of the verse "striving together for the faith of the gospel" brought to mind one of the games that we played in AWANA, it was the tug of war. There would be 4 teams of 2 that would start with their feet in the ring and at the sound of a whistle, would pull, striving together in unison to reach back for the desired bean bag. If you weren't striving together you would lose. It took effort, teamwork and strength.
So it is in the Christian life. We are not to get by as "Lone Ranger Christians" we need friends beside us during the battle. Often times this is shown in having someone beside us through the struggles and difficult times in life, whether illness, job loss, or a battle with an addiction. That other person can help you stand fast and win the battle.
Ultimately, as Christians, we have Christ by our side. The thoughts combined to bring to mind a stanza from the old hymn "A Mighty Fortress", I'll share it with you this morning.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing, were not the right man on our side, the man of God's own choosing. Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he; Lord Sabaoth, his name, from age to age the same, and he must win the battle.
What battle are you facing today? We can't win it on our own, He must win the battle. Perhaps it is you that may bring Him or the thought to go to Him, rely and trust in Him to someone else today, making a cord of 3 strands.
Ecclesiastes 4:12 New King James Version (NKJV) 12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
In Christ,
Mike
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Philippians 1:27-30
New Living Translation (NLT) Live as Citizens of Heaven
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don't be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
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