(TEXT : Philippians 4:12)
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
FOCUS :
Bro, Paul was exposed to so many things both good and bad, sufferings and afflictions, bound and freedom, slave and salvation, politics and government, doctrines and theology, hungry and have enough to eat and to drink; tribalism and nepotism etc. he faces all these during his time here on earth. In the midst of all, he was able to play along and come out victorious. Bro, Paul was beaten many times, he was thrown into the prison many time; in fact, must of his instructions, sermon or epistle came to reading, from inside the prisons. No matter what you are going through, it is just for a season. At one point Bro, Paul will find himself in the prison or in an uncomfortable situation, but in another way he is found praising God.
Acts 16:22-28 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
In addition, you might also be going through what might be considered as your own “prison season” at the moment; Bro Paul, who has been through all kinds of “seasons” he is sending you words of encouragement today not to GIVE UP. Your seasons too will soon be forgotten and it will end with testimonies. Don’t allow what you are going through now push you out of God’s presence, but rather, you should be more patient for what God is preparing you for. If God can show you what He has been preparing you for, even your enemies will join you shout hallelujah.
Mark 10:46-50 And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.
Finally, even though Bro, Paul had to go through some craziest things for the sake of God’s business and His Kingdom; you will always see him not complaining but rather “complying” with the divine instructions. The suffering of every believers is not always forever, but just for a season. The God that we serve does not leave you at the battlefield and ask you to fight alone. Yes, you might be seeing only yourself in the fighting (physically), but spiritually, you are not alone in the battlefield. And because you can’t see God with your physical eyes, it might seem to you like giving up is the best option, but don’t surrender to defeat, for your victory is just ahead of you.
1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
BE SAFE AND GET SAVED!
God bless you richly!
Jesus Christ loves you
Thank you Holy Spirit
ARE YOU SAVED
T.O AKINSANYA
PRINCE ORATORTEE