MONDAY November 22, 2021

Our Earnest Expectation

For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:19-20

Paul boldly spoke of his future deliverance. He was experiencing victory and blessings even in the midst of all his trials and tribulations. Paul attributed his deliverance to those who were praying for him. Whether Paul remained alive or would give his life for the Gospel, in either case, he was fully surrendered to Jesus Christ. Paul knew he was an instrument in God’s hand to preach the Gospel. He magnified Christ and gave Him all the glory!

How we need boldness in our Christian walk today! We should never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Remember Paul’s words:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Romans 1:16).

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).

We are to have a heavenly expectation. When I talk to some Christians about death, they are afraid. They want to avoid the subject of death. I reassure them that they do not have to be fearful. Imagine, if they could experience a few seconds in heaven in the presence of God, they would never be afraid again. They would not want to come back here!

Paul believed that when he died, he would be in the presence of God (2 Corinthians 5:1-8). He did not believe in soul sleep––a false teaching that the soul and spirit stay in the grave until Judgment Day when Jesus resurrects a person––not so. Immediately, the moment you die, you are in the presence of God.

Lower your expectations of earth. This isn’t heaven, so don’t expect it to be.
~Max Lucardo~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!