PASSIONAustralia.blog is my personal ministry website. I am also web servant for several church websites.
Several days ago I shared a video from GotQuestions.org about believers going to heaven when they die. Here is the video answer to “Do unbelievers go straight to hell when they die?”
As usual from GotQuestions.org it is well explained and full of Scripture to back it up.
In today’s reading Paul thanks the Philippians for the financial gifts and support. It is found in Philippians 4:10-20.
As I read this passage two main ideas jumped out at me…
The importance of supporting church planters
Verse 10 starts with, “How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me”.
Paul thanked them for their support in the past and said they were the only ones who supported him on his work through Macedonia. In verse 18 he says there gifts were a sweat smelling offering to The Lord.
This reminds me of the importance of supporting people who travel and plant churches. As history tells us, church planting is the best way to reach people for Christ and make disciples.
Paul knew what is is to be content
Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength”.
This is a verse we often quote when we are nervous or trying someone new. Paul used it in the context of trials, suffering, and hunger. He knew what it was to be content in the good times or the bad.
Paul said in verse 11, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have”. Paul knew Christ was enough. If he had lots, it was enough. If he had nothing, that was enough too.
As I am coming to an end of my devotions in Philippians these two thoughts will stay with me. It is important to support those who reach others for Christ and that if we have lots or nothing, if we have Christ we have all we need.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Many years ago an older Pastor gave me some advice about marriage. He said, “The world thinks marriage is about give and take, but marriage is really about give and give”.
He went on to say that giving and serving your partner is the best way to have a long and happy marriage. I was a new Christian and had not met my wife yet, but the advice always stayed with me.
I can honestly say as a Christian man, this is the best advice I have ever received.
Here is another good answer to the question, “Do we go straight to heaven when we die?”
As we see in the video some branches of Christianity believe we go purgatory to be punished before we go to heaven or others believe we have a period of soul sleep when we die and we are awakened when Jesus returns.
The Bible teaches we go straight in to God’s presence when we die as Christians. This video from GotQuestions.org outlines this position with numerous Bible verses to back it up.
Here is a good explanation of progressive theology. In short progressive theology adds worldly ideas in with the Christian faith and the truths of the Bible.
Progressive theology approaches the Bible with a set of beliefs and tries to make them fit. It approaches the Bible with a set of beliefs and interprets the Bible from their established position.
This is opposite to true Christianity which reads and interprets the Bible in a way that tries to understand the original meaning. It then draws out these truths and tries to apply them to our daily lives.
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