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When Christians face difficult situations it is encouraging to know that the Lord can also use them to His glory.

BibleGateway: Philippians 1:12-30

ESV Text: Philippians 1:12-30


KJV Text: Philippians 1:12-30

The section starts at about 1:17 and ends at about 3:45

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     12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

     21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

     27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.(KJV)


Hymn: TLH 444 :
Rise! To Arms! With Prayer Employ You

Hymnary.org — Organ Audio

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1. Rise! To arms! With prayer employ you,
O Christians, lest the Foe destroy you,
For Satan has designed your fall.
Wield God’s Word, a weapon glorious!
Against each foe you’ll be victorious;
Our God will set you o’er them all.
Is Satan strong and fell?
Here is Immanuel.
Sing hosanna!
The strong ones yield,
With Christ our Shield,
And we as conqueror’s hold the field.

2. Cast afar this world’s vain pleasures,
Aye, boldly fight for heavenly treasures,
And steadfast be in Jesus’ might.
He will help, whate’er betide you,
And naught will harm with Christ beside you;
By faith you’ll conquer in the fight.
Then shame, thou weary soul!
Look forward to the goal:
There joy waits thee.
The race, then, run;
The combat done,
Thy crown of glory will be won.

3. Wisely fight, for time is fleeting,
The hours of grace are fast retreating;
Short, short, is this our earthly way.
Then the trump the dead is waking
And sinners all with fear are quaking,
With joy the saints will greet that Day.
Bless God, our triumph’s sure,
Tho’ long we did endure
Scorn and trial.
Thou, Son of God,
To Thine abode
Wilt lead the way Thyself hast trod.

4. Jesus, all Thy children cherish
And keep them that they never perish
Whom Thou hast purchased with Thy blood.
Let new life to us be given
That we may look to Thee in heaven
Whenever fearful is our mood.
Thy spirit on us pour
That we may love Thee more–
Hearts o’erflowing;
And then will we
Be true to Thee
In death and life eternally. Amen.


Hymn: LSB 455 :
The Royal Banners Forward Go

Hymnary.org

1. The royal banners forward go;
The cross shows forth redemption’s flow,
Where He, by whom our flesh was made,
Our ransom in His flesh has paid:

2. Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
Life’s torrent rushing from His side,
To wash us in the precious flood
Where flowed the water and the blood.

3. Fulfilled is all that David told
In sure prophetic song of old.
That God the nations’ king should be
And reign in triumph from the tree.

4. On whose hard arms, so widely flung,
The weight of this world’s ransom hung,
The price of humankind to pay
And spoil the spoiler of his prey.

5. O Tree of beauty, tree most fair,
Ordained those holy limbs to bear:
Gone is thy shame, each crimsoned bough
Proclaims the King of Glory now.

6. To Thee, eternal Three in One,
Let homage meet by all be done;
As by the cross Thou dost restore,
So guide and keep us evermore.