Pastor Chris’ Corona Quarantine Epistles to the Flock of AIC Ngong Road, in Dispersion and Isolation. 10th. Edition.
Dear beloved family,
Yesterday, we started a new series in Philippians. We saw Paul’s commitment to Christ as a bondservant in Chapter 1:1-2. Today, we look at verses 3-5. In verse 3, he states that his every memory of the Philippians is one of gratitude. This is two way. We can choose our attitude. Someone said, “Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude.” We can choose to be thankful, or we can choose to complain.
Life metes out both good and bad. Whether we focus on the good and give thanks, or on the bad and complain, is up to us. Just remember, an attitude of gratitude will improve your health, relationships and work performance, while one of complaining will do the opposite. The other side of the fence is, we can choose how people will see us. Some people are impossible to please, but we can provoke a positive response in most people with a smile, kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness. As we shall see, the Philippians did influence Paul’s disposition toward them.
In verse 4, he indicates that it is a pleasure to pray for them. Sometimes people have no pleasure in their prayers. When an oppressed person prays for the oppressors, what joy can there be? The person may even pray, as he should, that the Lord forgives the oppressor, but that is not done with joy. Suffice it to say that when others have no joy when they mention you in prayer, you are in God’s line of fire. But Paul had reason to be joyful in his prayers for the Philippians, which he states in verse 5, their “fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.” After Paul had preached the gospel in Philippi, some became believers (Acts 16:11-40). Subsequently, the Philippian Christians became Paul’s supporters in ministry.
We see in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, how the Macedonian churches (Philippi was in Macedonia), in spite of their poverty, not only gave beyond their ability, they even begged for the opportunity to give! Part of the reason Paul wrote Philippians was to thank them for a gift they had sent him through Epaphroditus, one of their own (2:25). For some people, the present situation is a good reason to avoid giving to the church. Such are people who normally give out of compulsion, obligation, or to be seen by others. Let us learn from the Philippians.
When Paul was imprisoned far away in Rome, they found a way to reach him with their gift. Were they sowing, in order that they might reap? That was not their attitude, at all. They loved Paul and wanted to support him, so they did. Would they reap? Without a doubt. Just read 4:19. So, people will pray for you. What attitude will they have, when they pray?
Your Loving Pastor Chris.