Circumstances.

Life Experiences.

Future Expectations.

Present Situations.

Past Realities.

Eternal Hope.

All of these encompass our lives.

FUTURE——Where will we end up once our life upon earth is complete? &

Why There?

OUR INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. 

PRESENT——Who do we know who are not prepared for their eternal destination? &

What must become our focus as we walk through our today?

OUR INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. 

PAST——When we were living in darkness and headed away from God, who led us toward the light? Who can we credit with their witness who showed us HOW to see God? &

HOW to walk toward God’s magnificent, eternal light?

OUR INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

OUR FUTURE……Where do we KNOW we will be when we have arrived there—-in our eternity? Do we place all our faith in walking toward that destination?

OUR PRESENT…….Who surrounds, yes, who permeates our thoughts because of their lostness? Who wakes us from our deep slumber because they are living without eternal hope? Who causes us to drop to our knees as we cry out to God for someone to show them the way to God?

OUR PAST…….If no one had cared enough for our lost state & If no one had witnessed to us (about God’s amazing love and grace), where would we be today? &. Who should we thank today for their many prayers and for their timely, verbal witness?

No one lives without a Present or a Past.

Everyone has a Future.

Truly, People are People are People.

Many we know still live without a Future Hope, as they walk away from an eternity secure within God’s presence.  Many we know live without hope, as they wander in darkness, unaware and indifferent to the reality of their eternity.
The apostle Paul lived in the place filled with people who walked within the state of indifference and disbelief; yet, Paul also remembered his inner wrestling and the war for his soul, one fought between God and Satan. Yes, Paul was acutely aware of the war between God’s total Goodness and Grace, as believers living in his day pleaded for him to see the light of God—–&—–

Satan, the chief liar, was striving to lead Paul toward utter despair.

In his letter to the believers living in Philippi, Paul wrote, “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard (governor’s palace) and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the LORD because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.  What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1: 12-20).

Paul knew his past. Paul knew he had once walked inside total darkness.  Paul saw his present lostness and his future despair that day upon the road.

Paul heard God speak that day.

In his witness after God provided salvation, Paul continually remembered the light and voice of God, the Holy One. God had revealed Himself to Paul That Day. Paul remembered well That Day—-when Paul’s Past met his Present and led to his Future.

Paul knew where he placed his eternal hope. Paul knew who he would see when his present met his eternity.

Paul knew how he now (presently) walked in total freedom and how his chains were forever broken.

Paul was assured and committed, (whether in chains of a present-day prison or walking in the city in total liberty), to live for Christ—-despite his present state.

Yes, Paul knew his PAST, his PRESENT, and his FUTURE HOPE.

Paul knew, (whether alive or whether in his death), either alive on earth or even if his life were required that day,…….

Paul knew that Jesus Christ would be proclaimed.

Paul knew that (come what may) the gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ would be proclaimed.

And in this fact alone,…Paul rejoiced.

Are we rejoicing today when others come to know God?

Are we proclaiming the way of salvation?

Are we rejoicing in advance for the victory that has already been won?

May we become proclaimers of the gospel despite our present-day circumstances.

Truly, there is rejoicing in praising God for taking us out of our Past and giving to us an eternal HOPE found as we trust God with our TODAY & with our FUTURE. Hallelujah & Praise God.