We have lowly bodies, subject to weakness, sickness, hunger, thirst, and temptation – of course we do! Who is not subject to temptation? But when we receive our heavenly body, it will be a resurrection body – absolutely free of all these limitations! “Therefore,” Paul continues in Phil 4:1, “my brethren whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, STAND FAST in the Lord!” This question of ‘standing fast’ is a reminder that despite our weaknesses, we must remain true to our faith.
Knowing Christ and the Power of His Resurrection
“My heart’s desire is that I might KNOW CHRIST, AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death – that I might attain to the Resurrection of the Dead!” Phil 3:10 has always been marked in my Bible. It’s one of my favourite parts of the New Testament! Ultimately, this life is nothing, length of life is nothing (I’m 90!) – because I will live forever with Christ!
The Road to Glory
In such struggles and conflicts that we have, Paul says in Philippians 2, the key is to be like Jesus. We have to seek and to know what God’s Plan and Purpose is. In my praying to God the Father, I pray through Jesus – He is the Intercessor. He lives to make intercession for us. None of us is perfect. I’m not perfect. We all fail. It’s because of our imperfection that Jesus is the Intercessor – He paid the price for our sin!
How to seek God
How do we seek God? King David wrote, ‘You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.’ The Psalmist knew how to seek God. I leant to seek Him through my cancer diagnosis, in my imprisonment. It is not about how much you pray, I want you to have the assurance that God has heard your prayer. God has heard your prayer and He will answer. For so many reading this, you have prayed for so many years, I want to encourage you, God has heard your prayer.
God fulfils every promise
Call upon the Lord from where you are
Call upon the Lord from where you are. Moses encourages the people in Deuteronomy 4.29, ‘If from where you are… you will seek the Lord your God, you WILL find Him, if you seek Him with ALL your heart.’ So, in the midst of every distress, fear, want, even sickness – whatever situation you are in – there you will find God!
Winning through service
Paul commands in Phil 1:28, “In nothing be terrified by your adversaries!” I have had to learn this over the years. However extreme the circumstances, I have such a sense of comfort, consolation, joy and peace in Christ. My confidence, my trust is in Him. I’ve been one year in a communist prison, faced cancer twice, had my business stolen from me. But never have I suffered fear! I believe my every extremity was allowed in order to fulfil a greater purpose.
Living for Christ and the Resurrection
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will perform it until the Day of Christ Jesus.” In this verse the Apostle Paul is referring to the Power of the Holy Spirit in us who believe. This is so important, because the more I study the life of Christ, the more I realise the influence and the Power of the Holy Spirit working in Him, in His life and ministry. Just as the disciples had to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came, before they could begin their ministry, so Jesus Himself did not begin His powerful public ministry until after He had received the Holy Spirit! Matt 3.16-17; Mk 1.9-12; Luke 3.21. That same Holy Spirit who was in Christ should be in us! And the Holy Spirit who has begun working in us, will continue until the Day Christ returns! (Bible Study of Philippians)
God has never been defeated!
Chosen to be a son of God
God has chosen you to build His house here on earth. No, it is not a physical building, this 'house' we build is to reveal God's Glory and Majesty to an unbelieving world. God says to King David in 1 Chronicles 28, 'Solomon your son is the one who will build my house and my courts, for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father.' This chapter highlights how amazing our relationship with God is, He calls us His sons and daughters