FRIDAY, May 2nd, 2008

Hey everyone! Great Job Yesterday! I think our youth group broke another record for doing the most comments yesterday! Awesome! DO THIS: Think of someone that you know who has not been on recently or at all, and help them get involved with this.
I woke up this morning at 4:00 am to feed Will and I prayed for all of you! stay faithful! Come to Sunday School THIS SUNDAY!

A few thoughts from yesterday:
Brooke: Great to see you on here! It is great, isnt it! Keep it up!
Josh L: What is up with changing your profile? I liked the old one better.
Gaby: when you said "this passage kind of hit me in the face" was that supposed to be a pun or a play on words? :) We missed you Wednesday Night too!!!
Cary: I want to see that round house kick!
Josh S: I loke your new nickname much better: Hmmm... Doughnut Boy or God's Man... I choose Gods man :)

Phillippians 1:12-18

12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
13 so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ;
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
16 The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains;
17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

What a cool passage! Yes, Kenshin (Josh) the person, who wrote this book (Paul) is in Jail. Paul was headed to the city of Philipi when he saw a girl that was posessed by demons. (Acts 16:16-18) Paul decided to free this woman from the bondage of these demons, and when he did, the people of the city got angry and had Paul arrested. Here is the amazing part, like joseph in the Old Testament, when Paul was put in Jail, he did not lose his faith, he knew that he was only in jail because it was part of Gods plan for his life. He had complete peace, because he knew that he was in Gods will, EVEN IN JAIL. Well, I gave you that little introduction to help you understand todays devotions better.

Paul says in verse 12, I want you guys to know something, you may think that it is not too good that I am here in Jail, but the truth is, It has turned out really good, The gospel is being spread even further because I am in here... WHAT??? How is the gospel being spread more while Paul is in Jail. I am so glad you asked. Verse 13 explains that all the guards all know about the gospel because of Paul. while he was in Jail he was witnessing to all the people in Jail with him. How cool is that. Not only was Paul spreading the gospel more. Verse 14 tells us that since everyone saw that Paul was in prison and preaching the gospel, they figured, If Paul can spread the gospel in Jail, then I can definitely spread the gospel outside of Jail. All because of Pauls faithfulness to the gospel, many more people heard about Christ.

Paul was passionate about the Gospel and he made it his goal to tell the whole world about it. Where do you stand in comparison with your passion for spreading the gospel?

verses 15-18 explain to us, that we should spread the gospel, but we should also do it with the right intentions, we should do it with love and concern for lost souls, NOT for any kind of personal agenda.

Good stuff in this devo today! Lets spread the Gospel like Paul did!!!