.gif)
Weekly Reminder...
The Weekly Reminder is an informative tool to help people who read it consider what the man of God has said. This weekend’s articles are based on what was heard on April 18 & 19, 2009 in the Westbury assembly.written by Br. Samuel Damus
We were told to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” just as Paul had done (Philippians 3:14). We ought to be focused on the task at hand. Our calling is towards the things that are above; heavenly things. Not the flying around of angels with harps in their hands as depicted on many of the drawings of this world. The mark is to be in a God governed society. This government is not like how this world is being governed right now. The celestial reign of God upon this earth is what we are waiting for. We can begin to be governed by His laws and statutes right now, preparing ourselves for Christ’s return. We are not preparing this physical body but our souls.
It is important that our souls be preserved. That should be the mindset of the child of God when they are seeking those things that are above. For we learned that all flesh is like the grass of the field; “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:6-8). It is a good thing when the Lord protects us from bodily harm but it is even better when He protects our soul from harm. Our soul is more important than our flesh (Mark 8:36) that is why we should work hard to protect it from the corrupting influences of this world. “The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul” (Proverbs 16:17). It is the keeping of the Lord’s counsel and commandments that keeps our souls from being contaminated.
One of the things that we were advised to do was to imitate those that are imitating Christ. Paul said, “Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:16-17). Keeping company with those that are seeking the Lord and serving Him sincerely will only help strengthen you to do the same (2 Timothy 2:22). If we sit in the midst of the ungodly and take heed to their counsel it will not be a blessing to us (Psalm 1). The ungodly are those that are in the church but mind earthly things (Philippians 3: 18-19). They put on a form of godliness but deny the truth. When you begin to heed this counsel (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15) they will find it strange that you would do that and begin to make fun of you (1 Peter 4:4) never believing that the counsel of the Lord will stand! (Psalm 33:11). In keeping the Lord’s words not only protects our soul but will protect those that are also following our example.
We should never be ashamed to do what God asks us to do. Our pastor is a follower of Christ. He is setting an example for us to follow. If we follow him then we will be followers of Christ. Jesus called us to be a light unto this world, an example that all may see that a people who does not live to mind earthly things can exist (John 3:21; 17:20). “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33). Our souls can only be saved in Christ. That is why our prayer to God should be that He continues to preserve our souls and then we must watch that our souls not be tainted (1 Peter 4:7).
| top | next |
written by Br. Samuel Philogene
We’ve been called to something precious; there is a goal to reach, and we are moving on to something real which is the kingdom of God, eternal life. We read last Saturday in Philippians 3:14 how Paul was motivated to reach that goal, he said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. To go further in God, we must have a focus, a destination; we have to know where we were yesterday, where we are today and where we are going. Paul knew that and he was focused and worked for that, for eternal life, to know Christ. So to get there he disciplined himself, he had to observe certain rules, so he might run to reach that goal. We also today have to be aware that there is a prize for those who serve God and we have to work to obtain the crown of righteousness. But there is a way, God gives rules, directions, on how to run (Galatians2:2(b)). Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:27, explains how he is running that race, so we can follow him. “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway”.
Then back to Philippians 3, as a good teacher Paul gives us clues how to achieve that goal, he let us know that we have to be surrounded by people who follow his example (Philippians 3:17). There is no way we will be able to fulfill our calling when we associate ourselves with the ungodly people who walk according to the world. As God’s children we have to look to those who are striving to live for God, who trusts in the Lord. “Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him” (Isaiah 51:2).
On Sunday Br. Antoine went over Isaiah 40:6-9 where God compared the people as grass; is it nice in the morning but by the end of the day it fades away, “but the word of God shall stand forever”. We understand if we apply the Word of God in our lives, the only vehicle that will bring us to the next dispensation which will be the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus-Christ on the earth (Daniel 2:44), so we also shall stand forever. So let us take that Gospel of our salvation and incorporate it in our lives; it will change us, transform our evil nature unto a perfect body like Jesus (Philippians 3:20-21) and we shall stand by Jesus and the Father for evermore (Revelation 3:12).
| previous | top |