the Power is in the Word.

"It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill.....

.....But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached." (Philippians 1:15,18)

Paul's imprisonment meant that others wanted to talk about this Jesus guy in the spotlight. They wanted the attention, the fame. Others, ones with pure motives, wanted to partner with Paul and proclaim Jesus out of love.

The church is divided today. Many interpreters, many interpretations. What a turn off to the outsider. I know that if I didn't grow up in the faith, knowing Jesus, I would be really confused by all the differences in denominations, etc. and think it was super odd that there's so many ways that Jesus is viewed, how he should be worshipped, and how much stinkin' water to use when baptizing. (Ps...I still don't understand all of the differences).

Man isn't what makes Scripture, Scripture. God is and God does. He is the Word. Sure, some of us might have it messed up, but you know what....God doesn't expect us to have all the answers or get everything just right. He purposely doesn't answer all of our questions in Scripture because that's where faith comes in.

What's gonna matter in the end is belief in Jesus Christ as Savior. Bottom line....When the Word is read, Christ is preached. God holds the power and he speaks to people through his words, not man's!.....All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).

I leave you with a prayer that Jesus himself prayed for you to his Father....

"I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified." (John 17:14-19)