May 16 – Philippians 4:10-13
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Paul was an itinerant preacher. He had many needs – shelter, traveling cash, support for those who were with him, food, clothing, etc., but unless the churches that he planted and the people he brought to Jesus supported him, he would be unable to function.
I love his comment, “Indeed you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” That actually just smacked me in the middle of my head. Until the church was able to send Epaphroditus to Paul, they actually couldn’t get him money or assistance. They were concerned for him and they prayed for him, but they couldn’t show him any of that. There were severe limitations on their travel and it wasn’t safe to send money to him other than with a trusted friend.
It’s not that way for us. We have opportunities to show our concern and many times we ignore those opportunities. Concerns over the terrible tragedy in Haiti abounded, yet I saw way too many comments from people who found reasons to not help. Concerns over the flood in Nashville, concerns over the oil spill in the gulf, concerns for children in Africa who have nothing, concerns for earthquake victims around the world. Opportunities abound and we seem to be overwhelmed to the point that we do absolutely nothing rather than finding how we can help. How can we reach beyond ourselves? Because sitting around and talking about it gets no one any help at all.
Paul goes on to speak words that many of us have taken to heart. We know the difference between need and plenty … we’ve experienced both. To truly learn to be content no matter the circumstance is something that we can only do through Jesus Christ. We can’t do it on our own.
I can do everything through him (Jesus) who gives me strength. Everything is a possibility. Nothing is too hard for us to accomplish. Whether we need to learn to set anxiety aside or to learn how to be more thankful, whether or not we need to learn to be content in all circumstances, no matter how difficult or how easy, it is possible in Jesus.
Nothing is impossible with Christ, whether it is changing our emotional attitude, our life goals, our circumstances, our career … nothing is impossible.
“I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Paul was an itinerant preacher. He had many needs – shelter, traveling cash, support for those who were with him, food, clothing, etc., but unless the churches that he planted and the people he brought to Jesus supported him, he would be unable to function.
I love his comment, “Indeed you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.” That actually just smacked me in the middle of my head. Until the church was able to send Epaphroditus to Paul, they actually couldn’t get him money or assistance. They were concerned for him and they prayed for him, but they couldn’t show him any of that. There were severe limitations on their travel and it wasn’t safe to send money to him other than with a trusted friend.
It’s not that way for us. We have opportunities to show our concern and many times we ignore those opportunities. Concerns over the terrible tragedy in Haiti abounded, yet I saw way too many comments from people who found reasons to not help. Concerns over the flood in Nashville, concerns over the oil spill in the gulf, concerns for children in Africa who have nothing, concerns for earthquake victims around the world. Opportunities abound and we seem to be overwhelmed to the point that we do absolutely nothing rather than finding how we can help. How can we reach beyond ourselves? Because sitting around and talking about it gets no one any help at all.
Paul goes on to speak words that many of us have taken to heart. We know the difference between need and plenty … we’ve experienced both. To truly learn to be content no matter the circumstance is something that we can only do through Jesus Christ. We can’t do it on our own.
I can do everything through him (Jesus) who gives me strength. Everything is a possibility. Nothing is too hard for us to accomplish. Whether we need to learn to set anxiety aside or to learn how to be more thankful, whether or not we need to learn to be content in all circumstances, no matter how difficult or how easy, it is possible in Jesus.
Nothing is impossible with Christ, whether it is changing our emotional attitude, our life goals, our circumstances, our career … nothing is impossible.
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