Philippians 2:1-2

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

Back in the 1970’s I pastored a church in Burns, Oregon. Our church secretary’s husband, Tom, was a very sweet man, but he never attended church. He owned a small plane and even had his own airstrip, and he was always trying to get my wife, Joyce, and me to take a plane ride. Joyce promised Tom that if he attended church we would fly with him. One Sunday she was standing in the vestibule when Tom walked in with a smile and asked when she wanted to go for a flight.

That was a therefore in Joyce’s life. If there had not been a condition placed upon Tom’s church attendance when he asked her if she wanted to go for a flight, it would have had little meaning. But with the challenge issued, it had meaning. By the way, it was a delightful flight that we totally enjoyed.

When we read today’s Scripture we encounter that word which should always lead us to search for what led the writer to use the word therefore. In the previous chapter, Paul had given these inspiring words: For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

Paul challenged the Philippian church with the reality that suffering for Christ is a blessing. Simply to believe in the Lord was not enough. It required total surrender and a willingness to put their lives on the line. THEREFORE, what does that mean for us? I am sure that it means that we are to quit pampering ourselves and put it all on the line! Are we willing to give our all? I pray we are!

Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!

—Pastor Cecil

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