Bible Verse of the Day Monday February 6th 2023

 Philippians 1:23-24 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.

The Apostle Paul possessed a passionate love for Christ Jesus that is seldom seen in ages past or today. He had a deep desire of the heart to be with His Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, but on the other hand, he was filled with heartfelt compassion to tell the world of the love and grace of God. Paul became torn between the two; in his mind and spirit, to die was to be with Christ Jesus, but to live was to follow God's will for his life. Paul did not fear death because he knew that it would usher him into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior. However, he was conscious and mindful that God had chosen him to spread the Gospel to the earth's ends. Paul knew that God wanted him to write about his missionary journeys that told of God's love, grace, and mercy. Paul was also very conscious that the Lord wanted him to plant, throughout the world, what was to become God's Church on earth. God's will for Paul's earthly mission was to reveal mysteries that He hid for generations past.

Most people dread death, and most of us will attempt to postpone it as long as possible. Those that desire to die most often live with some terminal disease that brings about pain and suffering that they cannot tolerate any longer. Some people prefer death because the weight of life's problems is too much to endure. However, Paul's desire to exit this life was an exciting anticipation to be with the one that made it possible for him to know life eternal. 

Our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, had placed Paul in the precise position to preach the Gospel to people worldwide at that time. In the same manner, God has placed everyone that has accepted Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior in the exact location He wants them to be. Just as God wanted Paul to spread the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the world, He wants us to do the same. As born again, washed in the blood of Christ Jesus, saved believers and followers of Christ Jesus, our salvation comes to us so that we might serve God and others. We have not been saved from the ravages of the fires of Hell to warm a pew on whichever Sunday we decide to go to Church. With grateful and willing hearts, let us all put our minds, lives, and souls into the mission God has for us here.

As Christians, we do not have to view death as a dismal end of existence; it is merely a parting from this life to a glorious entrance into life eternal with Christ Jesus.