Each day, the challenges we face tend to change. But one thing we can be certain of is that the enemy won’t retire before we do! So let us decide to be obedient to the voice of God. Let us decide to grow sweeter in the Lord each day as we go on. Paul was a man who finished strong and very well. He wrote to the Philippians while in Roman prison around AD 60, probably six or seven years before his death. We find attitudes and actions from him that should guide us to end well and finish strong!
1) CULTIVATE A PRAYER LIFE
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” (Philippians 1:3,4)
Pray, Pray, Pray! And this can only be cultivated by discipline and obedience.
2) SEE THE CUP AS HALF FULL
“Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the Gospel.” (Philippians 1:12)
In chains today? Can we see the gracious hand of God upon us? To remain sweet in spirit, spend more time rejoicing over what is, than complaining about what is not!
3) RELEASE THE UNRESOLVED
“Some preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter?” (Philippians 1:17,18)
Refuse to let other people’s bitterness infect us. Let go of other people’s STUFF! People come with their stuff and they will leave with their stuff. You did not give it to them and you cannot take it away. So let it go!
4) VALUE PEOPLE MORE THAN THINGS
“My brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown…” (Philippians 4:1)
Get connected. Learn to value relationship above all else. God and people should be our treasure and in that order. Invest our time in them.
5) FOCUS ON THE FUTURE
“But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13,14)
Focus on things that are ahead. Stop mourning mistakes and regretting lost opportunities. Write a letter to self-pity, leave failures behind and be captured by the future. What is ahead is more important. The best is yet to come! Thank goodness for that, huh?
Live Better! Why? Because “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21). And stay sweet to the very end.
Sweeter in spirit and in speech.
Better? Sweeter?
Yes, definitely better!