What’s Your Secret? Try Paul’s

Philippians 4:11-13 “Not that I speak in respect of want (Note: declares his independence from creature comforts): for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Note: to be independent of external circumstances). 12) I know both how to be abased (Note: to keep rejoicing when there is no money), and I know how to abound (Note: to keep rejoicing when there is money): everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Note: Listen all will come sooner or later and the negative are not for a lack of Faith, but rather for our instruction in Righteousness.) 13) I can do all things (Note: be abased or abound) through Christ which strengthens me (Note: In other words from whom I draws strength)

     Secrets – whether a grandmother’s special recipe or a company’s unique product formula – are rarely revealed. In his letter to the Philippians church, the Apostle Paul provided all who would read the Scriptures with the secret of contented living.

     Paul announced to them and us that he was content in life – whether he had scraps for dinner or a feast, whether his purse was bulging or flat. His secret is shared in verse 13 above “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”

     The Greek word for contentment is translated “self-sufficiency or “self-satisfaction.” That may surprise you. At first glance, Paul appears, to say that the secret to contentment lies in his own resilient self.

     But what he was expressing was this: “My self-sufficiency, my lever of contentment, lies in the sufficiency of Christ to meet my every need. I can endure rain or shine, darkness or light, sorrow or joy because through Him I am equipped and sustained.”

     Paul’s secret is yours. Despite the circumstances, you can enjoy true contentment when you accept the truth that Christ is adequate for your every need – in good times and bad.

The Thorn and God’s Grace

In 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 we read: “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the Revelations (Note: this presents the reasons for the thorn in the flesh), there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me (meaning an angel of Satan), lest I should be exalted above measure. 8) For this thing I be sought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me. (You see the Apostle Paul knew it was the Lord allowing this, but he didn’t understand why.) 9) And he said unto me (the Lord responded, but did not agree), My Grace is sufficient for you (this speaks of enabling Grace, which is really the Goodness of God carried out by the Holy Spirit): for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (Listen: All believers are weak, but the Lord tends to make us weaker, with the intentions being that we then depend solely upon Him, thereby obtaining His strength.) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities (Why? Because of the end result), that the Power of Christ may rest upon me. (If Paul needed so humbling and painful and experience of what the carnal nature is, it is evident that all Christians need it. Whatever weakens, belittles, and humiliates that proud and willful nature should be regarded by the Believer as most worthwhile.)

     The unlimited, immeasurable, superabundant Grace of God is adequate for all our needs.

     Let me ask you: What is Grace? It seems so vague. It sounds nice, but how do we grasp it?

     Well how about this definition: “Grace is whatever you need, whenever you need it.” In other words, Grace is custom-tailored to your personalized set of needs.

·       Do you need courage? God’s Grace is sufficient.

·       Do you need hope? God’s Grace will supply it.

·       Do you need wisdom? God’s Grace is more than adequate.

·       Do you need financial help? God’s Grace will provide a channel of aid.

     Knowing the sufficiency of God’s Grace, we can learn to be content in our circumstances. Regardless of the situation, there is nothing that God cannot supply with His abounding love and favor.

     So you should give praise to the Lord Jesus Christ today for His amazing Grace that fits your most pressing demands – perfectly.

Giving Thanks When You Can't

     Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good (note – but only if certain conditions are met) to them who love God (note – the first condition), to them who are the called according to His purpose” (note – this means it’s “His Purpose, and not ours,” which is the second condition; otherwise, all things will not work together for our good).

     With the understanding of conditions laid out in the above verse, look at the startling command of 1 Thessalonians 5:18 which bewilders even committed believers at times: “In everything give thanks; for this is God’s Will for you in Christ Jesus.”

     How do we give thanks in times of catastrophe? For what are we grateful when disaster strikes?

     As foreign as it may seem, we give thanks to God in all things because His sovereign, loving power is able to weave our grief, sorrow, and pain into the fabric of His eternal plan for our lives. God does not cause evil, and neither is He conquered by it. You may ask HOW? Because of what Jesus did on the cross for mankind.

     Listen: God’s purposes for us cannot be thwarted by our problems. For that, we can give thanks in the midst of our adversity.

     Someone once wrote – “The sovereignty of God is the one impregnable rock to which the suffering human heart must cling. The circumstances surrounding our lives are not accident: they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God.”

     All evil is subject to Him, and evil cannot touch His children unless He permits it. God is the Lord of human history and of the personal history of every member of His redeemed family. The question is “Do you know Him’? You can! Take a look at the beginning of our blog for details then pray and ask Jesus to come into your heart and forgive your sins. HE WILL! Amen.