Spiritual Concern For The Brethren - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture July 21, 2009

Spiritual Concern For The Brethren 

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" - Philippians 2:5

EXPLORATION

Paul was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. He was an expert in the Law of Moses having studied under the great teacher of his day, Gamaliel by name. His commitment to the observance of the law was such that he would resist even unto blood anything or person that would contravene the Law of Moses. (Acts 5:34, Acts 22:3, Philippians 3:4-6)

His zeal reached its climax after he instigated the stoning of Stephen and went ahead to obtain letters of authority from the high priest to arrest Jews in Damascus who were Christians and bring them bound to Jerusalem to be imprisoned. (Acts 9:1-2)

INSPIRATION

The activities of Paul a picture similar to the commitment some of us who are now believers had to the wrong things at one time or the other before we became believers. But one day Paul had a supernatural encounter with Jesus which changed his faith for life. (Acts 9: 1-20). He knew and accepted Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. The knowledge of Jesus became so real and excellent to him that he would do anything to maintain and grow in it. He said "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" - Philippians 3:7-10

The fact of life is that when anything good or remarkable happens to a person, he always has an innate urge to share his experience with other people either to encourage them to come along and have the same experience or dissuade them from it. Various scriptures reveal that different people who had nice experiences with God either encouraged others on their own to share in their experience, or were advised by men of God to tell others about it. (Exodus 12:25-28)

The Bible says: "And Joshua said unto them, Pass over before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of Jordan, and take you up every man of you a stone upon his shoulder, according unto the number of the tribes of the children of Israel: That this may be a sign among you, that when your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, What mean ye by these stones?" - Joshua 4:5-6 (John 4:29)

David says: "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him" - Psalm 34:8

In the New Testament John declared: "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." -1 John 1:3 (John 1:40-46) We need to be fervent in declaring the goodness and salvation of God all the time. It is a duty that attracts temporal and eternal rewards.

We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed , and therefore have I spoken ... "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel" Paul declared -1 Corinthians 9:16. In the case of Jesus our lord, he said "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." - Luke 19:10

"Must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." - John 9:4-5

This shows that sharing our experience with others is in the Spirit of Christ: The Bible says: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" - Philippians 2:5

After Paul got converted, he had the earnest desire to have his Jewish brethren also converted to Christ. But they would not understand or appreciate the need or the urgency. Paul was so burdened in his heart that he said: "I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart." - Romans 9:1-2

Paul's concern for the Jews was due to the fact that Israel had all they needed to make them accept Christ:

• (a) They were God's adopted people
• (b) They had seen the glory of God
• (c) Through them God gave the testaments
• (d) They received the laws, ordinances and service of God
• (e) The promise of the Messiah was also made through them. Romans 9:4-5.

With this burden, Paul would have prayed for them to be saved.

Do we not have such people in the church today who attend worship services, bible studies and healing and deliverance time and yet have not surrendered their lives totally to Christ? We should have a concern for such people with a burning heart to help them make a decision for Christ. They could still be coming to church or may have stopped. The Christian principle is that we should be our brother's keepers.

This Week: Decide today to go after someone you know who has heard the gospel and continues to delay his decision to accept Christ but continue to stick to vain religious traditions. As we make efforts and interceded in prayer, God will surely intervene. No sacrifice is too great or too small for the salvation of a soul.

Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep, so must each of us his disciples do. (John 10:11) If it was necessary, Paul, as a worthy disciple of Christ would have laid down his life for his brethren to be saved. In the same mind of a good shepherd, Moses felt the same way for Israel. Read (Exodus 32:30-33).

Remember: The Bible says: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren"- 1 John 3:16

We love you!

We are praying for you,

It's our JOY to see you blessed!

Bliss & Fire Network Team.

Encounter God's presence at The Bliss & Fire International Christian Expo 2009 "The Gathering Of The Sons Of God!" Register today!

Online registration is now available for exhibitors/vendors.

All international guests, are advise to start processing their travel visa application: read more: http://christianexpo.blissfiretv.com/Travel

« Newer Older »