Today's Passage - Phil 4:14-17

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:14-17   Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.  Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.  Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.   The Philippian church is one that knows how to empathize with those who are suffering.  When Paul was locked up in prison, from human view he must have been suffering in loneliness and bitterness, but because of outpouring of love from the Philippian church Paul was enormously comforted.  That is why he could maintain his joy while persevering such great suffering.  So how did the Philippian church express their love during his suffering? They provided for his needs.  They did that not only when Paul was locked up in prison, but also while he was traveling for ministry.  The Bible says that the church repeated sent people to delivery for his needs, and Paul even said here that "not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only."  The Philippian church is one that takes action in love.  Very often we see the needs of brothers and sisters, and we'll just say "ok, I'll pray for you," but it is merely a line of spiritual jargon, and we may not even intercede for the person after we go home.  No wonder many people have unmet needs at church, because we seldom see ourselves as the vessel in God's hands which He can use to fulfill the needs of others. They dispatched Epaphroditus to take care of Paul.  In chapter three, we saw that even though Epaphroditus became seriously ill, Paul was comforted tremendously by his companionship.  It is great for us to visit brothers and sisters in need, to pray for them or even help them financially, but it is even more precious for us to spend time with them.  We don't do it because we pity them, but it is for us to pray with them, to allow the power of the Holy Spirit be released to bring forth comfort, healing and reaffirmed faith during their sufferings.             Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I ask you to forgive me because for many years I have held on to the grace that you've given to me, and I didn't understand the principle of letting my life flow.  I ask you to open my eyes today to see those whom I can help; give me faith to follow your prompting, and I know you will provide me with all I need.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 4:11-13

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:11-13   I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength.   "...For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."  Paul was talking about a joy that no circumstance can take away, which is best characterized by highlighting the difference between the thermometer and the thermostat.  The thermometer merely measures the temperature around it; it goes up when it's hot and it drops when it's cool.  Many of us living in the world are much like thermometers; when the circumstance is good, we get excited and rejoice like we've won the lottery; when the going gets tough we get depressed and complain about everything and everyone.  A thermostat, however, is different, for it has a preset temperature, and no matter whether the weather is hot or cold, it will adjust the temperature until it is moderate.   Are you a thermometer or a thermostat?  Paul's life is like a thermostat.  He said "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty."  No matter how the circumstance changes, he said that "I have learned the secret."  What is the secret?  Is it to be content and thus happy all the time?  Not quite.  You will be happy if you are content, but the problem is how someone can be content all the time no matter what the circumstance is.  Everyone knows the truth about being content, but not many know how to gain the strength to be content all the time.   Paul said that "I have learned the secret," and the secret is the strength behind being content, which is in verse 13: "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  Do you know that God can give you strength?  When Paul was writing to Timothy, he mentioned about his experience at the trial in Rome: "At my first defense, no one came to my support...  But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength..."  God is not only the God who has mercy on us, but God also is the God who gives us strength!  Let's proclaim by faith that "I can do everything through him who gives me strength!"              Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I ask that you make me a thermostat in my daily life, but not a thermometer that changes with the circumstance.  Lord, give me strength as you promised, so that in all my weaknesses in life, you may show your power and glory.  I am willing to give my life to your hands.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 4:10

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:10   I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.   Paul said here that "I rejoice greatly in the Lord..."  This epistle was actually written during the rockiest time in Paul's life.  He wanted to spread the gospel for the Lord, but he kept on encountering persecution and danger.  Paul had a ton of reasons to complains, but he didn't, and instead he said "I rejoice greatly in the Lord!"  Here I see the secret for Paul to be joyful, and that is "in the Lord."  To Paul, rejoicing is not a goal to be pursued, but it's a result of the process of depending on God.   Many Christians seem to think it's the other way around!  We go everywhere to attend seminars on how to be joyful, and we buy books on "secret of happiness."  No matter how much we hear or read, we still don't have joy!  That is because we neglected the process of depending on God.  Joy is not something we make an effort to pursue, and it's not something we can imitate on the outside.  Joyfulness is a natural result when someone knows God and depends on God.  When a person knows God and depends on God, he or she will begin to enjoy the pleasure of enduring hardship together with fellow brothers and sisters.   When you encounter hardship, have you tried to share it with the brothers and sisters, and ask them to pray for you?  Very often we ask others "is there anything I can pray for you," but it's hard for us to say "I have a need, please pray for me!"  When we humbly ask others to enter our life and share our burden, we will experience a great joy.  I don't mean you should go around and announce that you have a need, but you can at least share your need and pray with a couple brothers and sisters that you can trust or with your cell group.  Don't feel embarrassed because such a brotherly relationship in the Lord might be exactly what others are looking for as well.  During hardship, if you know there are brothers and sisters who care about you and are praying for you, you will have renewed joy to dash forward for the Lord.             Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I ask that you teach me to depend on you.  I am willing to put down the fake and self-relying mask that I've been hiding in my heart, to learn to share by burdens with brothers and sisters.  I plead for good spiritual partners whom I can dash forward with.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 4:8-9

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:8-9   Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.   "...Think about such things."  Think about what?  "Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable."  In other word, you need to be filled with things that are lovely and pure, things from God!  You will live out whatever is inside your mind.  If your mind is filled with stories from soap operas, then your life will be like a soap opera; if your mind is filled with God's Word, then you will live out the life of Christ.   I have heard a story about a fantasy island.  It constantly makes a mesmerizing music, and any ship that passed by it will be attracted by the music and sail towards the island with no return.  Once there was a captain who found out that his ship was about to pass the fantasy island.  He requested that each sailor to learn one instrument, and when they went near the island, captain asked everyone to start playing their instruments together.  When everyone is focused on playing their instruments, they don't hear the music from the fantasy island, and thus the whole ship was saved.  In the same way, we need to constantly think about God's Word in order to replace our sinful thinking, and thus we can overcome all types of temptation in life.   Not only that we need to guard our mind, but Paul also asked us to "put it into practice."  We can memorize God's Word and talk about God's Word all we want, ten points here, twenty posts there; but if we are not putting His Word into practice then these scripture passages are always no more than dead rules to us and have no benefit at all.  As soon as we are willing to follow God's Word, the Lord promised that "the God of peace will be with you."  What is filling your mind - Things of the world or things of God?  Colossians 3:10 says that a new person must be renewed in knowledge.  Are you willing to allow God to rule over your heart and mind each and every day?            Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord, I come before you and I want to proclaim that not only you are my savior, but you are also the ruler of my heart and mind.  If there's anything in my mind that doesn't please you, I ask you to remove it!   May the Holy Spirit help me to be constantly filled with God's word, so that I may live the form of the Lord.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 4:4-7

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:4-7   Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! . . . Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   Why is it so hard for many Christians to rejoice?  That is because we are anxious about many things.  We are anxious about our marriage, our children, our job, our future and our life.  It seems normal for people in the modern society to be filled with hardship and worries, but in this passage Paul said "do not be anxious about anything."  It is a refreshing idea, but in this society filled with hard work and pressure, how is it possible to not be anxious about anything?  Paul reminded us two principles of committing everything to God. Committing to God in prayer.  We get worried and anxious about things because of our misconception that we shouldn't bother God with petty issues that we can handle by ourselves.  Paul, however, did not say that we should only to pray for major issues, but rather it's to commit "everything" to God in prayer.  Big or small, we ought to present our requests in everything to God.  We present requests to God not because God doesn't know our needs, for He obviously knows everything, but it's to show our humility and reliance to Him through bringing everything before His throne. Depend on Holy Spirit for guidance.  "...The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Many people only do half of committing everything to God; they tell God all their requests, but they forget to welcome Holy Spirit to come, to bring the peace of God into their soul and to guide their mind and heart and know God's will.  Once God's will is known, we just need to pray according to His will, and as soon as we pray in God's will God's Spirit will accomplish what it is supposed to accomplish. Is your life filled with worried and burdens?  Perhaps you have prayed many times, but you've only stopped at the phase of talking to God, but never entered the guidance by the Spirit, the phase of listening to God.  Are you willing to lay down your worries before God, and listen to the guidance of the Spirit quietly?  The peace that transcends all understanding will come and fill you!           Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you because you care about me.  I am willing to bring all my concerns and worries before you, and ask your Holy Spirit to teach me to pray in your will.  I want to be released from all my burdens so that I can enjoy the peace that transcends all understanding.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 4:1-3

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 4:1-3   "Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!  I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.  Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel..."   "My brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown..."  I love these words!  Have you ever considered that your brothers and sisters are you joy?  As soon as we become Christians, God already placed great joy within us, and along with all the saints we become the joy of brothers and sisters.  You have a new family in God; your physical family can give you comfort and happiness, but the spiritual family can give you greater comfort and happiness!  No matter where you are, you may enjoy the warmth and joy that your spiritual family brings you.  I enjoyed warmth from the family in the Lord back in Taipei Bread of Life Church, and after I came to the US, whether it's in Philadelphia, DC or even an American church in Paradise, Pennsylvania, I also enjoyed the happiness of being together in the Lord.  No matter where I go, I get to know brothers and sisters who love the Lord and love others, and it keeps my spiritual life grewing.   Therefore, we must give thanks for the brothers and sisters around us.  We give thanks for those we can collaborate with easily, but we also thank God for those we can't get along with.  In this passage, Paul pleaded with Euodia and Syntyche to "agree with each other in the Lord."  They both love the Lord and they collaborated with Paul, but they couldn't accept each other.  Paul encouraged them that no matter what happened, they should be joyful because both of their names are in the book of life, and be joyful because they were blessed to be each other's brother in Christ.  My children sometimes fight with each other at home, but no matter how severe is the argument, they are still sisters, and in difficult times they still depend on each other.  The brothers and sisters in the Lord are truly blessings that God has given us in Christ.   Do you give thanks for the brothers and sisters around you?  Which ones agree with you and which ones don't?  Bring each of them before the Lord and bless them with prayer.  You will appreciate how preciously these brothers and sisters and they will become your joy!          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, I thank you because you have placed many brothers and sisters around me to support and help me.  I experience your love through their love; I experience your companionship through your presence; I experience how you shape me through going through hardship with them.  Lord, I am willing to call them my joy.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Phil 3:20-21

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Philippians 3:20-21   "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ..."   In an earlier passage, Paul has mentioned that "many live as enemies of the cross of Christ" and that "their mind is on earthly things."  The "earthly things" here don't refer to the chores in our daily life, but rather it refers to the values of the world.  As we live on earth, we naturally follow this value system, where we learn to control others in order to satisfy ourselves.  Paul then brought up the opposite value system, saying that "our citizenship is in heaven!"  Heave and earth are indeed in sharp contrast.   This contrast is not in terms of the geography, but rather a contrast between values.  One is a value system that follows the world and has worldly things in mind, and the other is a value system of the heaven that focuses on looking upon Lord Jesus.  In fact, Paul wrote much in Chapter 3 to explain this contrast.  He used to follow the values of the world, and he was proud of his stature, prestige, knowledge and family background, but later he considered knowing Christ to be the most precious thing in his life, to the point that he was willing to sacrifice everything in life for the Lord.  It doesn't mean that he's no longer concerned with anything in daily life, but it's to view and understand things of the world differently.  We can now see our everyday life from the perspective of eternity, and also looking at things of the world from the perspective of God's Kingdom.  Most importantly, our life should have exciting hope.   How is your life?  What's dictating your life - is it values of the world, or values of the heaven?  May the Lord help us to live the life of a citizen of the heaven!          Pray with Pastor Tong           Lord Jesus, we thank you because not only you died for me, but you will also come back for me.  If I am still living in the bondage of the values of the world, I ask that you break it for me.  Give me an exciting hope to wait upon your return.  I want to live for you by your will.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!