To advance the gospel.

Philippians 1:12-14, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Paul went into this phase of his ministry knowing that he would not see many of his friends again. He was imprisoned unjustly, and taken away to Rome at his own appeal to Caesar. He has no remorse and he sees clearly that all of this has taken the gospel to the heart of the Roman Empire. And his boldness has encouraged others to speak the truth about Jesus without fear. Are we able to see everything in our own situations as a possibility to advance the gospel?

Give us eyes to see everything that happens to be used to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ!

ESV Lectionary