Today's Passage - Phil 3:17-19

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 3:17-19   "Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you... many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things."   Paul more than once wrote in the epistles to encourage the believers to follow his example.  It doesn't mean that Paul is an arrogant man.  In fact, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul said "follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."  Paul dared to instruct believers to follow his example because he was completely dedicated to Christ.   Would you like to be a person who is complete?  Are you eager to be used by God?  Then you must follow Paul's example of dedication to the Lord.  Things in the world will always be evolving around us, but our eyes don't need to follow them closely, but rather we need to keep our heart in God so that it won't swerve or become apathetic.  Paul said that we ought to "join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you," and there are indeed many more great examples around us besides Paul.  For generations, many devoted saints have sacrificed their lives for the Lord.  One example is Christiana Tsai, who is the author of the book Queen of the Dark Chamber who laid bed for 50 years.  When I visited her, she told me that in the past 50 years she never asked God why.  She only asked God, "Lord, what would you like me to do for you today?"  Through her, God led many to Christ and brought spiritual revivals to many.  I also thought about the Christians in Mainland China, who solely focused on the Lord and served the Lord.  Because of their testimonies, China has become the country where the gospel is spreading the fastest, and on average twenty thousand people accept the Lord each day.  If we think about the testimonies of these saints, we will not be in fear or discouraged.   In the path of your spiritual pursuit, have you ever been in fear or discouraged?  You must follow Paul's example and realign your focus, so that there is only one thing in your life, and that is Lord himself!           Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you for your reminder, and I thank you for preparing so many witnesses around me, surrounding me like cloud.  Lord, please help me so that my eyes won't be distracted by things of the world or attack from the enemy.  I am willing to follow Paul's example and focus solely on you, so please come and draw me closer to you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!