Today's Passage - Phil 1:12-14

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 1:12-14   Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.    When Paul spoke this word, he was locked in a prison in Rome. From human perspective, things weren't going to well. He had plenty of reasons to complain, because it seemed like he was born in the time. If Paul was born in modern time, maybe he could have become more revered than Billy Graham! Paul, however, did not complain at all. Instead, he said that "what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel." Even though things were not going well for him, he could see God's help in every circumstance.   At that time, because Paul was going to be tried in the court of the Roman Emperor, he was carefully guarded by the royal guards. A guard was assigned to him all the time with a rotation every six hours. Paul immediately saw that it was a great opportunity to share the gospel; before, when he was preaching the gospel, people either didn't care to listen or they wanted to beat him up.  Now there was actually someone there to listen to him no matter how much he preached, and there's a new person every six hours! Paul knew that it was an opportunity given to him by God, so he actively worked with God and very soon the entire team of royal guards had heard the gospel.   God's guidance is really beyond what we could imagine!  If Paul was a preacher who's free, he could probably only be in contact with the Jews in Rome or ordinary people.  As a prisoner, however, he was able testify in the palace of Rome.  Not only that, Paul was able to make an appeal in front of Caesar as a prisoner, which gave him in incredible and unimaginable opportunity to share the gospel.  The God we believe in is one who turn resistance to assistance; no matter what happens, God can turn everything into positive momentum in life.  Therefore, let's look upon Him by faith, and hold on to all the opportunities that He has prepared for you in life!    Pray with Pastor Tong          Dear Lord, I thank you because you know everything that happens around me.  You are my savior and the Lord of my life!  Help me not to complain any more, but to see all the opportunities that you have prepared for me in my life.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!