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.
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.
Today’s reading and devotion is from Philippians 4:2-9. It is titled, “Words of encouragement”. In this passage three things spoke to me.
Get on well with each other
In verse 2 Paul appeals to Euodia and Syntyche. “Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement”.
It is so important that we get on well because the world is watching and Jesus said people will know we are His disciples because our love for one another.
Don’t worry, pray
Verse 6 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done”.
Sometimes I think worry is the default setting for us who live in this world. This is why prayer is so important. We connect with God and exchange our needs and concerns for His peace (v7).
Focus on what is good
In verse 8 Paul says, “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”.
Finally Paul encourages us to focus on what is good. He says to “fix our thoughts” on these things. We need to keep a Kingdom focus.
So today let us get on well with each other, don’t worry and keep praying, and focus on what is good. If we do these things, then “the God of peace will be with us” (v9).
Today’s devotion comes from Philippians 3:12-21. It is titled, “Pressing toward the goal”.
In verses 12-14 Paul says, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us”.
As I was reflecting on this I read the notes in the Life Application Study Bible for verses 12-14. It is interesting and explains this section well…
“3:12-14 Paul said that his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal took all of Paul’s energies. This is a helpful example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal—knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is holding you back?”
I think the first line says it all – to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him”. This idea is much deeper than coming to Christ for our salvation and knowing we will go to heaven when we die.
It is all about knowing Christ, growing to be like Christ and being disciplined like an athlete to be all you can be for Christ.
Today I am asking myself the question – what is holding me back? Is there anything holding me back from being all I can be for Christ?
PASSIONAustralia.blog 