23 July 2020 – Philippians 4:1 (NIV)

23 July 2020 – Philippians 4:1 (NIV)

Scripture

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Reflection

This verse is a continuation to Philippians 3:20-21. A Christian’s true citizenship is in heaven. Heaven is that transcendent place where Jesus reigns as King. At Jesus’s return, every pain and problem with the Christian’s earthly body will be exchanged for a new and glorious body, the same type of body that Jesus Himself had when he was resurrected (Philippians 3:20-21). This body will also be imperishable (1Corinthians 15:42).

Knowing this wonderful promise of resurrection, Paul encourages his beloved Philippian friends whom he longed to see and who were a reward and a blessing to him, to stand firm in the Lord. Paul wanted them to stay strong and continue to grow, even during difficult times.

As believers of Jesus Christ, in spite of hardships or persecution that we are going through, we should continue to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We should look forward to the day of Jesus’s return, when all our sufferings will end, our earthly bodies will be changed to glorious ones and we will be with the Lord forever.

Thoughts for the day

  • What does this passage tell you about God or Jesus?
  • What does this passage tell you about humanity?
  • What do you feel God is telling you through this passage?
  • How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
  • Is there anyone you think should hear or will benefit from this message? Go and tell them.

Prayer

Wherever you are, take time to acknowledge God and trust in Him again. Give God your worries. Take a moment to give each thing you are worrying about back to God.

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By |2020-07-17T11:50:10+08:00July 23rd, 2020|Categories: Week 4|Comments Off on 23 July 2020 – Philippians 4:1 (NIV)

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Othniel David Dalla is the Foreign Students Ministry Leader at Shanghai Community Fellowship and a student at East China University of Science and Technology. He has been living in Shanghai since 2014.