April 2nd, Thursday: Philippians 3-4

Phil 3
Rejoicing.
If you cannot rejoice in your circumstances, you can always rejoice in the Lord who controls your circumstances.
So fix your attention on Him.
He may not change your situation, but He will change you – and that's even better!

Counting.
What's important to you?
You feel you've made sacrifices to follow the Lord?
Paul the apostle did not feel he had lost anything worthwhile by trusting Christ.
Instead he gained everything really worth having.

Reaching.
Christians are like runners who refuse to look around or look back, but keep running with their eyes on the prize, on the goal.
See, to look back at past success or failures, or to look around to see what others are doing or saying is to invite defeat.
Watch out!

Weeping.
This is the only mention of tears in a letter devoted to joy.
Paul wept over professed Christians who lived to please themselves.
Instead of having the mind of Christ, they thought like the world, and these people are with us today of course.

Looking.
Paul looked up and eagerly anticipated the return of the Lord.
Christ has taken care of his past and He would also take care of his future.
And as for Paul's present, his confidence was knowing that He is able!

Phil 4
The message of our ministry is the Gospel of Christ.
The model for our ministry is the example of Christ.
The motive of our ministry is the reward of Christ.
And the means of our ministry is the provision of Christ.
He provides unity when we disagree with our fellow Christians.
And peace when we're prone to worry.
If we pray as we ought to pray and think as we ought to think, the peace of God will guard us.
And the God of peace will go with us.
He provides the power we need for life and service.
And the material needs we have as well.
Paul did not have a wealthy organization giving him support.
But he did have a great God who enabled generous friends to meet his needs.
Paul saw their gifts as a fragrant sacrifice to the Lord and he rejoiced in the Lord for what they did.