For to
me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Philippians
1:21
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
Paul had a victorious vision for his life. He
didn’t fear death and he saw each day as a blessing from God. To live was to be
with Christ on earth and to share in the encouragement, love, and joy of his
fellow brothers and sisters. To die was to receive the crown of glory which
Jesus had won on Calvary. In short, Paul couldn’t lose. Neither can we.
Paul didn’t draw his joy from his
circumstances. If that were true, he would have had a rotten life. He wrote to
the Church in Corinth: “Five times I
have received from the Jews forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten
with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I
spent a night and day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I
have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my
fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the
country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored
and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides
everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly
burn?” (2 Cor.11:24-27)
No, Paul’s source of joy was found in Jesus.
He fully understood that this world was fleeting and that he had everything he
could possibly want or need in Jesus Christ. That is the true meaning of
Philippians 4:13, “I can do everything through Him who strengthens me.” Paul
considered everything else as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus Christ. He
bought the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:44-46).
Rather
than complaining about the circumstances he found himself in, Paul continued to
rejoice and worship God. Through his obedience, God used Paul to reach the
entire palace guard where he was imprisoned. It’s incredible.
As you go through your day today, look for
how God is moving in your life. Place your fears and frets in His hands; trust
Him to deliver you from each snare and difficulty. Wait patiently for the Lord.
And live this day through His power and love.
Prayer: Father
God, I will fix my eyes on You. With you by my side, I will not be shaken. You
are my portion and my cup. You are my strength. You lift me up when I am
discouraged. You are my ever-present help in time of need. As I go throughout
this day, I pray that You would strengthen me by Your power and fill me with
Your love. Come, transform my faith and life. I love You. Amen.
Be
Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12
From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:
The first time the Gospel was shared in the
city of Philippi was when Paul and Silas visited there on their first
missionary journey (Acts 16:11-40). Later, Paul and
Timothy wrote a letter of encouragement and exhortation to the Christians in
that region — what is now in our Bibles as “Philippians.” Read through
Philippians 1, keeping the words of Romans 12:12 in mind.
Joyful
in Hope. Paul
was continually rejoicing before God. He knew what God had in store for him and
the Philippians — he has his heart and mind fixed on heaven. Paul knew that God
had given them both a new life in Jesus Christ while on earth and the promise
of eternal life with Him in paradise.
Paul had treasure in heaven. He knew that, no
matter what happened, He had eternal life because of Jesus Christ. And he had
Jesus! Whether he continued to live on the earth or was taken to heaven, he had
joy. And that joy was rooted in his relationship with God and in the fellowship
of other Christians. “I thank my God … for all of you … because of your
partnership in the Gospel” (Philippians 1:3-5).
Patient
in Affliction. Paul
wrote this letter from prison. If anyone had a reason to complain, it was Paul!
Yet he fully believed God would rescue him. Whether his imprisonment ended in
life or death, Paul chose to worship God. His confidence came from this
astounding truth: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). It was because of his imprisonment that
Paul was to share the Gospel with the whole palace guard.
Faithful
in Prayer. Paul
constantly prayed for his fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus. He knew them on
a personal level and loved them deeply. Again, they weren’t simply
acquaintances to him; they were his family and friends. He longed for them with
the affection of Jesus Christ! (Philippians 1:8).
Paul’s prayer was simple: he prayed that
their love would overflow and that their knowledge of Christ would increase (1:9). And the source of this love and knowledge is abiding in
Jesus. We do not produce the fruit of righteousness from our own strength; the nourishment
comes from Christ. As He said, “I am the vine; you are the
branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
from me you can do nothing” (John
15:5).
Prayer: Gracious Lord Jesus,
I ask not simply that You be with me today but that You lead me also to join
You in the work You are already doing—in me and through me for the sake of
others. Amen.
