Right now at Life Springs Fellowship we are studying the letter to the Philippians.
I’m calling the series Journey into Joy. Paul wrote this letter to his friends and people he loved dearly while in a prison in Rome. Yet there is no poor me attitude in his writing. He is expressing his joy for being able to be used by Christ to reach many in Rome. Even those who were preaching Christ in hopes to add pain and misery to Paul did not deter Paul from rejoicing. He was just happy that the gospel was being preached. Whether by good motives or bad made no difference to Paul. He was focused on one thing. Getting the gospel to as many people as possible in the time he had left.
Although Paul was confident that he would be released from prison because he knew the Philippians were praying for him. He also knew that he was about to stand before Nero and it could go either way. In fact Paul was released the first time and did eventually return to Philippi to strengthen and encourage the church there. The next time Paul would stand before Nero he would be beheaded for his faith. It didn’t matter to Paul. He knew that death was not an end for him. It was the beginning of a glorious life in the presence of Christ.
How are you doing in the area of complete and total surrender to Christ? Are you still enamoured by the things of this world? Or, are you ready to meet Jesus today? None of us comes with an expiration tag. We don’t know when God will call us home. Let’s be ready at any time to meet him and while we wait for that day let’s be doing what God is calling us to do. Spread the gospel. Do the work of an evangelist. Be ready whenever anyone asks to share the reason for the hope that lies within you. Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.
God’s blessings be with you all and I’ll see you in church!
Pastor Craig
