Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:1-4

It’s easy to be discouraged on a daily basis, all you have to do is look around at our fallen world and see the evil that goes on a daily basis. We all have our own personal problems and struggles, we all have family and friends who are battling as well, so how do we keep the right mindset? As the Apostle Paul says here “Rejoice in The Lord always, and again I say Rejoice”

We need to remind ourselves that we are children of God, that we are already victorious and promised eternal life, because Jesus has already overcome the world. So instead of focusing on our temporary problems, rejoice in The Lord. Instead of dwelling on everything that is wrong, rejoice in The Lord. Instead of worrying about our current circumstances, rejoice in The Lord

Why? Because Jesus Christ is Risen, the tomb is still empty, God is still on the throne. All power and authority has been handed over to Jesus Christ, and the Great Shepherd hears his sheep and never loses any of them. We you focus on these truths and promises, all our temporary problems start to fade away

As Paul said here to his Church “Stand fast or firm in The Lord” Nobody ever said this was going to be an easy life,  God never promised you health, wealth, and happiness, but Christ is our promise, Christ is our victory, Christ is our living hope that will strengthen your soul. Regardless of what happens to us, It is already finished, we are alive with Christ and dead to our sins

Notice Paul called his fellow Christians, labourers. Everyone was serving The Lord, nobody was sitting idle waiting for the Rapture. The body of Christ was busy fulfilling the Great Commision. Its hard to feel sorry for yourself, when your busy serving The Lord. Rejoice in The Lord, rejoice always in Jesus name Amen!

Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Philippians 3:17:21

As humans , its our natural desire to want to belong to something. To belong to a group, or belong to an organization, somewhere you can identify with. We all want to be recognized as somebody, having a specific group of beliefs and characters. However the failure many people make is they try to find their identity in this world. They try to find their identity through money or fame. The problem is , the source is already corrupted there for you will be corrupted.

We see nowadays, people like to identify with a political party. They find an outspoken leader who identifies with some of their same core values. They find a group of people who agree with many of their ideas. The problem is , they are trying to identify with mortal , sinful humans. Therefore they inherit the baggage that comes with this group.

Are we starting to see a trend here? People were designed to identify and follow a group because we are all designed to worship God. People are searching to fill that void in them that only Jesus Christ can fulfill. This is why we see a culture that is so desperately trying to establish a new identity and purpose. Because without God as center of your life, you have no ultimate purpose

As Paul says “They are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, who glory is in their shame, whose mind is earthly things” Doesn’t this sound like our world today. The world hates the real Jesus Christ, because he brings truth and light into the darkness. The final destination for everyone who rejects Christ, is eternal damnation. The world lives and feeds off its physical desires. Nobody cares anymore about morality, it’s all about how we feel. The world finds glory in their sin, they are not ashamed of their sin and they celebrate it. Their minds are fully consumed with the lust of their flesh

Our true identity is in Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, and our God. Through Christ we are citizens or our conversation is in Heaven. We belong to our Heavenly Father as children of God. We are all brothers and sisters through Christ. We are the body of Christ, the Church, by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. You have a true eternal purpose and identity through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen!

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

What is the meaning of life? For the unsaved person, the meaning of life is to strive for money, power, possessions, and pleasure. But eventually they come to the point of finding out its all meaningless. None of these can satisfy the soul or give you eternal purpose. In fact a true Atheist will tell you, “there is no meaning or purpose for life”. This is why we find the world in such depression and disarray today, a Godless society trying to find purpose for their soul

The true purpose and meaning of life is very simple, its all about Jesus Christ. If you can’t understand this, then you have never been in the pit before. You have never walked through the valley of death without the Great Shepherd. Unfortunately many people need to find out the hard way, when you hit rock bottom, then you start looking up. 

The Apostle Paul said “I press toward the mark of the prize of the higher calling of God in Christ Jesus” Non-believers would look at Paul’s life and say he’s a fool. He gave up everything he had to serve The Lord and spread the gospel of Christ. However Paul understood, this was his “higher calling” this was his eternal purpose. Think about this, everything you do for the Kingdom of God has eternal value, everything you do for this world is fading away.

Jesus said “Lay or build up yourselves treasure in Heaven, where neither moth or rust will destroy” (Matthew 6:20) Christ wasn’t talking about building up your bank account or getting a big promotion, Jesus was talking about doing The Lords work for Gods Kingdom, fulfilling the Great Commision. Every soul you reach with the gospel, helps build Gods Kingdom

Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Philippians 3:15-16

This is a process of sanctification, as we grow in our walk with Christ, we understand what God wants for our lives. We understand the only way to find true peace and happiness, is to abide in Christ, and be in the will of God. Anything outside of this, will create turmoil in the soul and you will never find peace or rest then

As Paul said “God shall reveal even this unto you” we as Born Again believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, so be led by the Holy Spirit. Don’t neglect the guidance of Gods spirit, answer the higher calling from Christ, to serve and love The Lord God with all your heart, soul, and strength, Amen