FOR THIS CAUSE I'D DIE
Philippians 1:19-24
for I know that through your prayers and God's provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
I was walking along a steep side hill, sneaking below the edge of a field to get in a better position for some turkeys. Suddenly, a ruffed grouse came off the ground, just a few feet from me and nearly hit me in the face. It was a purposeful attack. Then the grouse hit the ground at my feet and began to pretend she was wounded. She flopped around and then walked around me, dragging a wing like.it was broken.
I could have easily picked her up as she was ao close. I assumed that she had a nest so I followed her away from the area. A while later, after a unsuccessful turkey hunt, I came back and found her laying on her nest. She didn't move, even to blink.
That grouse would do anything to protect her young in the nest, she was willing to
fight me abd she was willing to die as well.
Few of us will experience persecution in our lives like the apostle Paul did. We might be mocked or shunned for our faith or our stand for Christ, but most of us won't be beaten, imprisoned or put to death. Yet we are called to stand as Paul stood. We are called to recognize and accept that if we are part of Christ's family, we are here to stand out for Him and tell others of His amazing love and His gift of Life (John 3:16).
Yesterday in our morning service I was brought to tears, not once, but twice. During the offertory a young lady, Brittany, sang a beautiful song and the words reached me. As she walked back I saw the pastor stop her and whisper something to her.
At the end of the service he said, "we are going to do something different today. We are going to close with the same song you've already heard. Please pay close attention to these words this morning.".
She sang, THE CAUSE OF CHRIST by Kari Jobe. Please read these lyrics carefully and examine your heart... This is what we are called to.
"The only thing I want in life is to be known for loving Christ to build His church
To love His bride
And make His name known far and wide
For this cause I live
For this cause I'd die
I surrender all
For the cause of Christ
All I once held dear
I will leave behind
For my joy is this
Oh the cause of Christ
He is all my soul will prize
Regardless of the joy or trial
When agonizing questions rise
In Jesus all my hope abides
Jesus my Jesus
For Your glory for Your name
Jesus my Jesus
I will only sing Your praise
For this cause I live
For this cause I'd die
I surrender all
For the cause of Christ
All I once held dear
I will leave behind
For my joy is this
Oh the cause of Christ
It is not fame that I desire
Nor stature in my brother's eye
I pray it's said about my life
That I lived more to build Your name than mine"
I've been mocked and teased. I've been even shunned as a child and now as an adult because of my relationship with Christ. But I know, "For this cause I live
For this cause I'd die
I surrender all
For the cause of Christ
All I once held dear
I will leave behind
For my joy is this
Oh the cause of Christ"
How about you? What are you willing to do for the cause if Christ? He gave up everything for you and I, what do we owe Him? I owe Him all.
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