Philippians 1:12 says, But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;  As already stated, Paul was in prison when he wrote this.  He did not say that he felt God had failed him and ask the Christians at Philippi to pray for his release.  He said instead that he wanted them to know that everything that had happened in his life since he had accepted Christ as his Savior and Lord had happened to help further the gospel.  Paul was not telling them that God wanted them happy so they only had to visualize what they wanted and claim it.  I believe that God expects us to do all for the furtherance of the gospel today if we are Christians, and not to be concerned about our circumstances if we faithful to Him.  Verse thirteen states, So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;  Paul said that people in the palace, and in all other places, knew of his bonds and why he had them.  Paul was imprisoned because of his faithfulness to God, and if we find ourselves suffering today, we need to make sure that it is because of our faithfulness to the gospel and that all the world knows this.  Verse fourteen declares, And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear  Paul said his bonds gave other Christians a boldness to speak the word without fear.  I don't believe that this was because of Paul's imprisonment, but because of his attitude while he was imprisoned, as well as going through all the other things that he had suffered for the gospel.  When we hear of someone being imprisoned or maybe even executed for proclaiming the gospel, does it make us bold, or does it fill us with fear?  Verse fifteen says, Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:  Paul said that not all people were preaching the gospel of Christ for the same reason.  Verse sixteen adds, The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:  Paul said some people were even preaching the gospel out of contention to try and add to his affliction.  I believe that these would have been people who were preaching that Paul couldn't truly be a Christian if he was imprisoned.  If we are to believe that God only wants us to be happy and successful, then we would have to have that same attitude today.  Verse seventeen continues, But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.  Paul said that others preached the gospel out of love, knowing that Paul was a living example of what it meant to follow God's will no matter what.  Do we use as an example those who profess to be Christians and are materially successful in the world today, or do use those who are suffering for the sake of the gospel?  Verse eighteen asks, What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.  Paul asked what his attitude should be.  Then he said he rejoiced when the gospel was shared, whether the attitude of the one sharing it was correct or not.  Paul was not standing in judgment of others, as long as the gospel was being shared.  Though we must be firm in keeping the gospel true, and that is Jesus Christ crucified, resurrected and Lord, if we do then we don't need to worry about the method of presentation or even the reason behind it.  Verse nineteen adds, For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  Paul said that his being in bonds would turn to his salvation through the prayers of the people at Philippi.  He was not saying that his imprisonment would bring him salvation, but that it would work for the glory of God no matter the outcome.  We must be just as faithful today.   Verse twenty concludes, According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  Paul said he put his complete faith in God, and he was not ashamed that he was imprisoned for the sake of the gospel.  He said he would continue to be faithful to God as long as he lived, and if he were to die for his belief, then he would still be content in his faith.  We today do not need to worry if it becomes dangerous to proclaim the gospel, but we simply need to live out our faith in Christ.  We, like Paul, mist be willing to die for our faith.