Friday 17/1/14

Philippians 1:21-24 ESV

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.

A Christian ought not to fear death. To die is to depart from the flesh and be with Christ in heaven, which is far better. No more temptation, pain and suffering of the flesh. However, to remain in the flesh and in this world means we can do fruitful labour for Christ. It's necessary for the work of the Church & helping others.

As a result, we must keep in mind that the purpose God let us stay in this world is for building our character, preaching the Gospel, helping others, and serving the Church. We can relax and enjoy eternally when we are with Christ in heaven. For now, just for a short while, we are here in this world to do fruitful labour for the cause of Christ. So minimize our enjoyment and focus on our work

Monday 13/1/14

Philippians 1:15-18 ESV

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

What does it affect us when others proclaim Christ out of self ambition? Or not sincerely but to afflict us in our difficulty? They do us no harm at all, as long as we sincerely do our work and proclaim Christ. Good people will see our good work and our good will. Therefore, we ought not to be troubled by selfish people who want to bad mouth & afflict us. Instead, we ought to rejoice because they help us proclaim Christ to everyone. Good people will recognize our good will & disregard their bad mouth. God will vindicate us

Friday 10/1/14

Philippians 1:14 ESV

And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

When we are in perilous situation and the Lord sustains us, others can see His power & faithfulness. The experience strengthens their faith and make them trust in the Lord more. The more they are willing to rest in His providence, the bolder they become in speaking the word & acting according to His commandments, the less they fear the world and its worldly principles.

Therefore, the righteous shall walk by faith and not by sight. When we are right with God and following His commands, with faith & a lot of prayers, we can act against worldly wisdom and accept perilous situation, and trust in His providence & protection. When people see our victory in Him, they will be encouraged.

Thursday 2/1/14

Philippians 1:12-13 ESV

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.

Paul was in prison. But his imprisonment was not a source of shame & distress, but for the advance of the Gospel. All the imperial guards saw this, people around him knew this. God used Paul's imprisonment to His advantages, protect Paul from the enemies & give him opportunities to share the Gospel with important people of the Roman Empire.

Similarly, God can use seemingly perilous situations, disadvantages & shameful by the world for His glory. God also uses the trials to refine our characters, train our faith, help us learn to trust in Him.

Therefore, as we walk with God & serve Him, we need not fear imprisonment , perilous situations, or even losses. God is in control over what will happen to us & when they will come. We can be sure that all God allows to happen will be for our growth, for His glory and for the Gospel. We only need to be faithful & stay strong in Him.

Tuesday 31/12/13

Philippians 1:9-11 ESV

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

To the Bible, love is the greatest thing (1 Corinthians 13), the nature of God. Faith & hope, great as they are, they will pass away when we go to heaven. But love is the everlasting virtue in heaven.

However, our love needs to be abound with knowledge & discernment. Ignorance & blind love is destructive, causing harms to us & those we love. Love accompanied with Godly wisdom will bring the fruits of righteousness, pure & blameless.